A special thank you to MCM and MCM10K participants for your patience during the recent period of uncertainty. It is with great pleasure that the MCM can officially announce we are on. We are SO on. See you at the start line!
   

Official event start time is 7:55 a.m. on Route 110 in Arlington for the MCM, and on the National Mall for the MCM10K. Wheelchairs and hand cycles begin at 7:40 a.m. It is suggested all runners arrive two hours prior to the start of the MCM. Metro service begins at 5:00 a.m. for MCM runners and spectators on race morning. Marathon runners should use the Pentagon Station (blue/yellow line) to enter Runners Village hosted by Boeing in the Pentagon North Parking lot and pre-race UPS Baggage Drop off. Arlington Cemetery (blue line) will not open until 8:30 a.m. The MCM10K will start at the Smithsonian Metro (blue line). Free parking is available in Crystal City at the corner of 23rd & Crystal Drive. Pre-race shuttle service from this parking location to Runners Village begins at 5:30 a.m. Runners are encouraged to line up in the appropriate corral based on anticipated finish time. This will ensure a smooth start. Ceremonies begin at 7:20 a.m. and conclude with the howitzer blast at 7:55 a.m. Festivities include the Liberty Voices, a jump into the MCM start and official starter, actress Maggie Q.

Runners are required to use the clear plastic drawstring bag issued at Packet Pick-up for the event-day bag check. Using the clear plastic participant bag will expedite the screening process and help maintain an efficient flow of participants into Runners Village. Backpacks, suitcases or any other type of bag will not be accepted at UPS Drop-off and may not be left unattended. Therefore, if a runner doesn't have a designated support person to maintain possession of this type of baggage or other such possessions, these items should not be brought to the event site. For marathoners, 10K participants and spectators, the following items are prohibited from entering any MCM event location: hydration vests and backpacks like CamelBaks; glass containers; masks; and flammable liquids. Runners may continue to bring a personal supply of fluids. All items are subject to search and add to the volume being screened, possibly resulting in delays and personal inconvenience.

Spectators need a gameplan for MCM Day as much as runners. More than 100,000 supportive, enthusiastic individuals will line the course hoping for a glimpse of their runner and the opportunity to inspire others. Essential tools to maximize the spectator experience are highlighted in the new Spectacular Spectator video. The coolest on-course spectator spot is Crystal City at Mile 22-23 where there's easy access through Metro, plenty of parking, MCM finish line shuttles and family friendly activities, music and entertainment certain to delight even the youngest spectators.

The MCM debuts a more fit and athletic look for the classic mock neck shirt that has been synonymous with the event since 1998. Throughout MCM Weekend and long after, runners will be "rockin' the mock" while donning a new TECHNICAL long sleeve shirt that keeps the body warm while transferring moister away from the skin. Though never intended for running, the traditional MCM participant shirt uniquely has been a long sleeve mock neck shirt. Its design was to honor similar attire in the law enforcement community rather than the more common running event souvenir of a short sleeve t-shirt. Wearing the mock neck shirt, though, after completing "The People's Marathon" had become a badge of honor for runners. The upgraded mock neck has a soft brushed interior with the words "Marines" emblazoned down the arm, as always. The new MCM mock still fashions the iconic the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, the Marine Corps symbol, embroidered on the neck and the MCM logo printed on the front with original patriotic artwork adorning the back. MCM10K participants will also receive a blue technical mock neck. Tweet or Instagram your pic in the MCM shirt with #RockTheMock.

Once across the finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial, a U.S. Marine will award the awesome 38th runners with their newly earned hardware in front of the Marine Corps War Memorial. The hospitality zone includes nourishment box, Turbana bananas, bottled water, Gatorade, Dole fruit bowls and the new MCM recovery jacket. Please, remember to recycle in the available receptacles. Runners then enter the Finish Festival in Rosslyn. The Festival includes live music, giveaways, food samples, restaurant row, massage and recovery services, family link-up, Mic Ultra Beer Garden (redeem the coupon on the bottom of the bib for a celebratory beer) and UPS Baggage Pick-up. Visit the MCM Brooks Store, Dunkin' Donuts, GE, Nissan, the National Watermelon Promotion Board and the Navy Federal Stride Art jumbotron. The MCM Info Tent is located in Dark Star Park for spectators and runners. When ready to head home, Metro, taxi service and MCM shuttles are available. MCM finisher medal. MarathonFoto photographers will take victory shots of

Available now for the iPhone and Android platforms, the new MCM App offers easy access
to all essential MCM Weekend information including maps, spectator tips, schedules, transportation, photos, videos, weather forecast, runner tracking services, social media feeds and live results. Other helpful MCM technology includes QR Codes on the Bibs--scan the QR code on the front of the bib for real-time results; Map Track--using timing data, a runner's progress is represented by an icon moving along the MCM map; and Track A Runner services for instant split time updates delivered by Facebook, Twitter, text or email. 

The MCM Health & Fitness Expo presented by GE will be held from Thursday, October 24
through Saturday, October 26 at the DC Armory. The Expo is packed with over 200 exhibitors and vendors featuring the newest exercise products, MCM souvenirs, product samples, health screenings and unique access to experts. Get a free massage from Aetna or have your body composition analysis taken at the GE booth. Talk with experts from the Clif Pace Team. Visit BlackBerry and Nissan booths. An amazing array of MCM apparel is available at the MCM Brooks Store with $200 worth of purchases earning access to the VIP Porta Potty at the start.

Safety screening points are located at the entrances to the Packet Pick-up tent and the main hall of the Armory. At the Expo, all runners will first obtain their bib with timing device and UPS Baggage Sticker in the runners-only Packet Pick-up tent. Remember to print and bring the E-card delivered by email earlier this month or present on a phone. Additionally, runners receive an event program, commemorative patch and awesome mock neck participant shirt.  


Follow the MCM on Twitter for a chance to win one of the 38 super-sized extra special goodie bags to be given away during MCM Weekend. This beloved, frantic tradition has become a fun part of MCM Weekend sending runners scrambling around the Expo, racing to special sites and doing wild stunts to claim the coveted goodie bags that contain high value products from MCM Sponsors and licensees. The first of 38 MCM SuperSize Goodie Bags will be awarded at the Health & Fitness Expo opening ceremonies on Thursday, October 24 at 3:30 p.m. The remaining bags will be randomly distributed during MCM Weekend by notifying runners over Twitter where and when the next bag will be awarded. So before MCM Weekend, be sure to follow the MCM on Twitter. Not all bags contain all prizes. Some of the prizes include: Free running shoes from Brooks, mini iPads from First Command, BlackBerry Z10s and Q10s, gift cards from Dunkin' Donuts, Tony & Joe's and Tropical Smoothie, cash cards from GEICO, and a weekend stay from the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. Other participating partners include MarathonFoto, Jack Black, GNC, Lasting Commemoratives, Applicables.com and Clif Bar. All SuperSize bags contain limited edition 38th MCM coins provided by Warrior Chip. Even the SuperSize bag itself is a prize. Provided by priorLife, the bag is made from the actual finish line banner at the MCM.

The paparazzi will be everywhere capturing the images from MCM Day. Comcast SportsNet hosts 90 minutes of live TV coverage from the MCM start beginning at 7:00 a.m. Throughout the course, MarathonFoto photographers will document every runner in multiple locations with background landmarks including the Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and, of course, the Marine Corps War Memorial. More than 400,000 images will be taken on MCM Day. Check the Comcast SportsNet website on the evening of the MCM for video footage of every runner crossing the finish line.

A variety of unique and special products are available to commemorate the incredible experience of running the MCM. Photos from MarathonFoto. MCM apparel from Brooks. Special finisher plaques from Fond Memories. Original MCM art recognition products from Lasting Commemoratives. Celebrate the history of the MCM with the new MCM Photo Book. And then there's the special collectors tote bags made from the MCM finish line banners by priorLife. Run the run and collect the memories.
If you plan to tweet during MCM Weekend, use hashtag #38thMCM...The fastest way into the 2014 MCM is to run and finish the Marine Corps 17.75K in April 2014. All finishers receive a guaranteed entry into the 39th MCM... Run with the Marines again when MCM hosts the Turkey Trot 10K on Marine Corps Base Quantico on November 23... Runners can get a complimentary signed art card featuring the spectacular 2013 MCM artwork designed by Lasting Commemoratives, MCM licensed partner. Take advantage of this offer and get $20 off any shadowbox purchase and free shipping...Limited space remains in the Healthy Kids Fun Run on Saturday, October 26. The one-mile run and family fitness festival is open to kids ages 5-12...See MCM anthem singers, the Liberty Voices, in concert on the evening before the marathon...As the MCM Carbo Dining In has sold out, Rosslyn, the heart of the Marine Corps Marathon on race day, has partnered with some of the best local restaurants to offer MCM runners a "Pasta Night" special during event weekend... Tony and Joe's Seafood Place (3000 K St. NW Washington, DC 20007) in Georgetown's Washington Harbour is planning a festive MCM Day with the MCM Finishers Brunch and the $20 Lobster Celebration Dinner...Runners are invited to participate in the final City Sports Georgetown MCM Training Run on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. All paces and abilities welcome! Food and water stops provided, as well as a safe place to store belongings.

Navy Federal Credit Union celebrates your picture perfect finish with an interactive digital art experience like nothing you've seen before. Every step across the finish line adds another stroke to the STRIDE ART image. The picture will grow and change until  the final runner finishes. You can view, interact with and share the completed Stride Art masterpiece online after the race and, if you pre-register before 11:59 pm on 10/27/2103, you may win one of the limited edition, customized commemorative posters!
Learn more at www.navyfederalstrideart.com.