The MCM offers amazing tools to track runners during the Marathon and 10K. Spectators and runners now can register to follow a marathoner's progress from the 10K, 20K, 30K, 40K and finish-line split locations in real time. Only finish time data will be delivered for MCM10K participants. Follow one or multiple runners by signing up to receive updates by text or email or have updates automatically posted on a Facebook timeline or over a Twitter feed.
 

With 60 percent of the MCM course located on National Park land, MCM participants and spectators will be asked to "Stash the Trash" including bottles, gel packs and cups and "Can It" at receptacles located at water points and food stations throughout the event. Runners should refrain from simply tossing trash on the ground. The MCM has partnered with Leave No Trace to establish a guide for runners at this event and others to mindful of the environment. Remember to recycle the Aquafina and Gatorade bottles in the Finish Festival and deposit the Turbana banana peels in the Turbana composting bins.
 

Runners often arrive at the MCM start line a bit overdressed. No, they aren't in tuxedos. Just extra layers for warmth that are immediately shed as the running begins. The MCM and Two Marines Moving will collect all discarded clothing for eventual delivery to area homeless shelters. Help facilitate this process by dropping the extra clothing in special bins located at each corral along the start line. Worn down your running shoes? One World Running will have a shoe collection bin at the entrance of the MCM Health & Fitness Expo presented by GE so runners can drop off old running shoes. Donated shoes are distributed to many locations world-wide including to those who recently joined the U.S. military but are financially unable to purchase running shoes to train. In addition to helping future military, donated shoes will go to upcoming distributions including Cheyenne and Arapahoe Native Americans, Cameroon and Haiti.
Shuttles will run throughout the weekend from DC Armory to the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, the MCM headquarters hotel and location of several MCM Weekend events. Free parking is available at the Expo, located at the DC Armory. On MCM Day, free parking is available in Crystal City at the corner of 23rd Street and Crystal Drive. Marathoners parking in this location may take the pre-MCM shuttle from Crystal City to Runners Village in the Pentagon North parking lot beginning at 5:30 a.m. After the MCM, shuttles depart from the Finish Festival in Rosslyn returning runners to Crystal City. These shuttles load at the corner of Oak Street and Wilson Boulevard. There is no designated parking or shuttle service for the MCM10K.

For runners wishing to park in a location other than Crystal City use Parking Panda, the nationwide leader in online parking reservations. Once purchased, parking passes for the MCM are 100 percent guaranteed so no need to be concerned about where to park on event morning. Be sure to check the hours of operation at selected locations before purchasing to ensure the facility is open early enough to allow plenty of time to arrive at the start on the morning of the MCM.
The Metro system will open at 5 a.m. on event morning. Marathon runners should use the Pentagon Station (blue/yellow) to access the start line through Runners Village in the Pentagon North Parking lot. This location hosts pre-race UPS Baggage Drop off. The Arlington Cemetery (blue) station will not open until 8:30 a.m., after the official MCM start. On event day, this station may only be used to access to finish area or to leave after the event. The MCM10K start is convenient to the Smithsonian Metro (blue/orange/silver). The Finish Festival is located at the Rosslyn station (blue/orange) and the Crystal City family festival at Mile 23 is at the Crystal City station (blue/yellow). Purchase the commemorative, reusable Marine Corps Marathon "OORAH" SmarTrip card. Each reusable plastic card comes pre-loaded with stored fare to facilitate easiest access to Metro during MCM Weekend.
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 by GE--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 23 through Saturday, October 25 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. Visit the Hyundai, Navy Federal
and Aetna booths. See the PTSD display hosted by GE. Talk with experts from the Clif Pace Team. Check out the noteworthy guests in the MBA booth. 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.

The location of Packet Pick-up is now in the lower level of the DC Armory. Runners and guests will be screened upon entering the Armory and then will proceed downstairs where Marines will provide the bib with timing device, UPS Baggage Sticker and "Salute" the MCM event program. Distribution of event participant shirts and clear plastic bags will occur adjacent to Sample Row on the first level. Runners will also receive a special coupon from Chipotle. Remember to print and bring the E-card delivered by email earlier this month or present on a phone.
Follow the MCM on Twitter for a chance to win one of the 39 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 39 MCM SuperSize Goodie Bags will be awarded at the Health & Fitness Expo opening ceremonies on Thursday, October 23 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, gift cards from Dunkin Donuts, Silver Diner, cash cards from GEICO, and a weekend stay from the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. Other participating partners include MarathonFoto, Jack Black, and Clif Bar. All SuperSize bags contain limited edition 39th MCM commemorative coin. Even the SuperSize bag itself is a prize. Provided by priorLife, the bag is made from the actual finish line banner at the MCM and is available for purchase.
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. 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 a jump into the MCM start, flyover and greeting from celebrity starter/participant Sean Astin.
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: glass containers, masks and flammable liquids. Runners may continue to bring a personal supply of fluids. All items are subject to search at both the MCM and MCM10K starts and add to the volume being screened, possibly resulting in delays and personal inconvenience.
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 Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and, of course, the Marine Corps War Memorial. More than 400,000 images will be taken on MCM Day and available for purchase digitally or in various print sizes and products. Check the Comcast SportsNet website on the evening of the MCM for video footage of every runner crossing the finish line.
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 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. Be sure to download the MCM App and share images using #RunWithTheMarines.
Once across the finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial, a Marine will award the awesome 39th MCM finisher medal. MarathonFoto photographers will take victory shots of runners with their newly earned hardware in front of the Marine Corps War Memorial. The hospitality zone includes nourishment box, Turbana bananas, Aquafina, Gatorade, Dole fruit bowls and the MCM recovery jacket. Please, remember to recycle in the available receptacles and compost the banana peels. 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, Hyundai, the National Watermelon Promotion Board, Tubana and check out the incredible social media wall. Get your tweets and Instagram images showcased on the big board by using #RunWithTheMarines. The MCM Info Tent is located in Dark Star Park for spectators and runners. When ready to head home, use Metro, Hailo or MCM shuttles
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. Specially designed MCM medal racks from SportHooks. And then there's the special collectors tote bags made from the actual MCM finish line banners by priorLife. Run the run and collect the memories.
Long recognized as the best beginner marathon, the MCM invites first timers to purchase a ticket to the MCM First Timers Pep Rally on Friday, October 24 from 7- 9 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Appetizers are provided. A very small admission fee will be charged for runners and guests. Bart Yasso from Runner's World is joined by other in-the-know experts, plus great music, giveaways, social media wall and the exclusive commemorative first timers pin and temporary tattoo. Limited space remains.
This time, join the Marines and run in Fredericksburg, VA at the Marine Corps Historic Half. Register for the 2015 Marine Corps Historic Half to be held on Sunday, May 17, 2015. The lowest registration fee for the Half is available starting October 25 during MCM Weekend. The hugely popular Half has made historic Fredericksburg a fashionable spring weekend getaway. Without question, the most exacting segment of the 13.1 mile run is the steady 200 foot rise in elevation that occurs over a span of one mile late in the course. Hospital Hill has become a thing of legend. The Historic Half boasts fantastic finisher medals, terrific technical participant shirts and the only start ceremony capped off by the shouts of a town crier and the blast of a vintage musket.
Download the official MCM E-card. The digital ticket includes the runner's bib number assignment. Runners must show the E-card either on a phone or in print at the Expo to obtain the official participant bib...The fastest way into the 2014 MCM is to run and finish the Marine Corps 17.75K in March 2015. All finishers receive a guaranteed entry into the 40th MCM. Registration for this event opens on March 11...Sign up the kids for the MCM Kids Run on Saturday, Oct. 25 in the Pentagon North parking lot. The MCM Kids Run hosts young runners ages 5-12 for a one-mile, just-for-fun run. Registration is still open and includes a participant shirt, medal, snacks at the finish provided by Sodexo and more... The MCM Runners Conference will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the MCM HQ hotel, the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The first session is sold out. Runners may still reserve a spot in the second 60-minute session that will cover topics specifically of interest to female participants. "Champions of Womens Running" will be held at 2:15 p.m... Bring your MCM confirmation email or participant bib to any City Sports in Washington DC or Maryland to receive 26.2 percent off a purchase. This special offer is valid from October 24 to 31 in store only. Exclusions may apply, see store for detail...Maximize this visit to Arlington, VA, the home of the MCM.