As the weather gets warmer and the training runs get longer, be sure to arm yourself with plenty of fluids and event information.  Sign up for the MCM’s Virtual Trainer to stay on target with your finish time goal and check out the new Race Director’s Blog for inside information on the 31st MCM. 

Train Hard! Train Smart!
And in the tradition of the Marine Corps stay "always faithful" to your goals!
"Semper Fi"

As always: If you have an interesting or inspiring story relating to your participation in the 31st MCM, please email marine.marathon@usmc.mil

The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) sold out on Friday, June 9 with a record 34,000 participants for the October 29 event. Thousands of runners hit the MCM website, www.marinemarathon.com, as registration opened on May 17 at noon eastern to ensure their spot on the Arlington, VA start line. Dan Jones of Manassas, VA was the first runner to register online. Jones was one of 13,258 runners, or nearly 4 per second, registered in the first hour of rolling registration. For those runners who missed online registration, a limited number of entries remain available through the MCM charity partner program. Visit the MCM charity partner page for more information.

So you’ve registered for the MCM. Now what? As you begin your training, be sure to keep the confirmation e-mail you received after successful registration. This email contains a confirmation number you will need to retrieve your e-confirmation card to be available for printing later this summer. After retrieving your card, verify that all the information is correct. Report any necessary changes emailing or calling the MCM office at 1 800 RUN USMC.  Once your information is correct, print the e-confirmation card and be sure to bring it with you to the MCM Health and Fitness Expo on October 27 and October 28 at the DC Armory.  Oh yeah…you’ve got to log your training miles, too.

The transfer and deferment policies allow registered runners unable to participate in the 31st MCM to transfer their bib number to another runner seeking entry or defer their entry for a guaranteed spot in the 2007 event.  
A new deferment policy has been announced for this year-allowing registered runners to postpone their 2006 run for a guaranteed spot in the 2007 MCM with the registration fee conveying to 2007. In previous years, the entry fee did not transfer from year to year.  The deferment request form is located here and must be returned along with a $20 deferment fee by October 10.

To transfer a bib number, registered runners must complete and mail in the MCM transfer form available here. The form requires the information of the registered runner and the runner receiving the transferred number.  MCM will send a transfer application to the new runner, which must be returned with the $20 transfer fee by September 21.

A new pasta experience for runners and guests will be located outside the MCM Health and Fitness Expo at the DC Armory called the “Pasta Mess Tent”.  A quick, affordable carb-n-go buffet for the whole family, the Pasta Mess Tent will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on October 27 and 28. Tickets are $11 may be purchased by clicking here.

Two seatings of the more traditional, upscale pasta party event for the MCM, renamed the “Carbo Dining-In” will be held on October 28.  Runners are invited to capture the marathon-eve energy at this special evening in the spirit of traditional military formal dinners called “Dining-In”.  The event includes an elegant pasta dinner buffet, entertainment, guest speakers and prizes. Tickets are $26 per person and available here.  Seatings, limited to 800 guests each will be held at 4:30 and 6:15 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

MCM runners participate in the annual event for all kinds of great reasons.  Whether your motivation is to remember a loved one, celebrate a birthday, honor a service member or commemorate a special event, the MCM wants to hear why you are running. Email the MCM, with the subject line: My Story.

The 2006 course will remain the same as last year’s- beginning on Route 110 in Arlington, Virginia, near the Iwo Jima Monument.  The wheelchair and hand cycle events will start at 8:15 a.m., followed by the marathon’s scarlet wave start at 8:20 a.m. and the gold wave start at 8:40 a.m. Runners will be divided into waves based on bib numbers and must maintain a 14-minute per mile or less pace to Beat the Bridge at Mile 20.  Click here for an interactive course map.

Support the Marine Corps Marathon as a volunteer during the 2006 race weekend and be the first to receive a guaranteed, non-complimentary entry into the 2007 marathon, as well as a coveted mock neck shirt.  Click here for more information or register now.  All volunteers signing up via online volunteer registration will receive e-mail updates.

MCM Race Director Rick Nealis shares his thoughts and perspectives with runners in his new blog.  Check out his latest entry.  The Race Director’s Blog will offer unique insider information about the planning process for the 31st MCM.

Trying to meet a time goal on October 29th? Whether it's to set a personal record or simply cross the finish line, sign up with one of the Clifbar Pace Teams. This FREE service offers registered runners the opportunity to have a coach throughout the marathon, helping runners stay on pace, offering words of encouragement and motivation, even reminding runners to eat and drink properly on the course. The groups will finish in the following times: 3:10, 3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50; 4:00, 4:15; 4:30; 5:00 and 5:30. For more information or to sign up, click here for the Pace Team website.

Think your platoon is the fastest in the military? Think your company is up for a challenge? Think you’ve got more spirit than another division?  Prove it by creating a team of 9-13 active duty military members and entering the MCM Squad Challenge. Teams must have at least nine members cross the finish line.  The squad whose ninth person crosses the finish line in the fastest time will be the winner.  Teams may be all male, all female or co-ed. 

Individual and team registration is required.  One member of each team, to be recognized as the team captain, is required to download and submit the Squad Challenge Team Roster form, available here.  There is no additional fee to register a squad.

The MCM will provide runners with a souvenir single-use ChampionChip. The white chip will replace the usual rented black one and will feature the MCM logo on a camouflage background.  Runners will wear the chip along the course to track their time and, after finishing, may keep the chip as a lasting memory of their accomplishment. 

Different from the single-use chip provided with registration, a MCM Commemorative Personalized ChampionChip is available for purchase for $35.  This reusable yellow chip proudly features the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Click here to purchase.  Runners may use this chip at races worldwide and, of course, at future MCMs. 

Travel to the MCM- Top quality Arlington and Washington, DC-area hotels are offering special rates and runner-friendly amenities to MCM participants. Visit the MCM Travel Page to view individual hotel web sites, plus learn about MCM airline discounts.  The MCM Travel and Hotel web pages are presented by Jet Blue.

On-Course Flavors-
Train with the same replenishment you’ll see on the MCM course.  The 2006 energy drink is PowerAde. ClifShots including the popular Razz, Strawberry and Mocha will also return as the energy shot along the course.

Learn More About Fitness for the Whole Family-
Check out monthly articles featuring the MCM in the Virginia CONNECTION newspapers. Read the Healthy Kids Series each month in Washington FAMILY magazine for nutrition tips and overall healthy lifestyle info for younger members of the family.

Get Ready for the MCM with the Virtual Trainer-
Let the MCM help with training. Sign up for the Virtual Trainer, a 26-week program prepared by former Olympian Jeff Galloway, designed specifically for MCM runners. Click here to learn more, or sign up now.

Announcing the MCM10K-
Sign up for the MCM 10K and enjoy a great course and thousands of spectators along the way! Click here to register.

Healthy Kids Fun Run-
The whole family can get involved in the MCM weekend! Sign up children ages 6-13 for the one mile Healthy Kids Fun Run, which takes place the day prior to the marathon, Saturday, October 28, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at a new location, the DC Armory in Washington, DC. Pre-registration is required.  For more information, click here.

MCM Wants You!
Road race directors, staff and officials are invited to register for the Marine Corps Marathon Race Director Boot Camp on October 27 and 28 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.  Recruits will be briefed in a massive arsenal of topics including race technology, maximizing media, police participation, youth fitness, volunteers and more.  Click here for more information and to download the registration form.

Corporate Tent Space Available at Finish-
20x20 corporate post-race tent space at the finish line will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact the MCM office at 800-RUN-USMC.