Kickoff MCM Weekend with music, cheerleaders, light appetizers, games, prizes and access to experts. Mix and mingle on Sat., Oct. 29. Advance ticket purchase required.

Picturesque 5K shakeout run on the morning before MCM at National Harbor. Enjoy beautiful scenery, delicious brunch and speaker Bart Yasso of "Runner's World." Open to all. Advance registration required.

Shorten the MCM morning commute, even if you live in the DC area. Limit dependence on Metro and pick a hotel in Arlington, near the start/finish, or get shuttled from Gaylord National Resort, MCM HQ hotel. MCM Travel Desk offers discounted hotel rates at numerous hotels.

Free. Open to the public. MCM Runners Conference on Oct. 28-29 at the Gaylord National Resort, just down the hall from the Expo. Sign up to hear Jeff Galloway, Billy Mills, MCM Director Rick Nealis and others.

Runners registered for the MCM have until September 14 to transfer an entry to a non-registered runner. Runners may defer to the 2017 MCM as a limited number of deferments are available.

Train with Gatorade- lemon-lime flavor will be poured at water points. Food stations include orange slices from Wegmans; Clif Shots; and Jelly Belly Sport Beans. At the finish line, runners receive a fitful hospitality box including a Dole fruit cup.

The MCM Kids Run presented by Virginia529 hosts young runners ages 5-12 at the one-mile fun run held on Saturday, Oct. 29 in the Pentagon North parking lot.

The 2016 MCM "In Training" apparel line is available for purchase on the Brooks website. While on the site, pick up some discounted vintage MCM apparel from previous years.

In partnership with local running specialty stores, MedStar Sports Medicine hosts MCM training runs in September and October along portions of the MCM course. When training concludes, join local running champion Michael Wardian for a Taper Run on October 22.

In early October, MCM will push out the 2016 update to the MCM app. The Motigo cheer-app with special on-course messages and spectator cheer capabilities delivered right to a specific runner's earbuds. Download now.

For the fifth year, the powerful wear blue Mile will reside along scenic Hains Point. Run in blue to honor the selfless service and sacrifice of America's military heroes. Runners can honor a fallen service member on the mile.

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