DC’s Marine Marathon Makes Monuments Memorable
The 35th annual Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) is expected to bring 85,000 spectators, as well as over 32,000 runners to the famous 26.2 mile journey called the Marathon of the Monuments. The race is also celebrating the 2,500 anniversary of the first run form Marathon to Athens.
The marathon is the 4th largest marathon in the US and the 8th largest in the world. This year, runners from over 50 countries are expected to run, with more than 10,000 runners being in their first MCM. Four runners called Groundpounders, all who have finished each of the 34 previous annual marathons, will be participating. Watch for the runners wearing bib numbers 35–38. The oldest runner will be 84 year old Sgt. Major Domenick Irrera, who also ran in the first MCM back in 1976. That year, just 1,175 runners completed the race.
The race kicks off with a blast from a 105mm Howitzer cannon at 8:00 a.m. to signal the start. The route takes runners past some of Washington’ DCs most famous buildings and monuments. It starts in Arlington, Virginia and winds its way across the Key Bridge over the Potomac River into Georgetown, then past the Kennedy Center and out to Hains Point in Potomac Park as the halfway point, overlooking planes landing and taking off from National Airport.
Runners then pass the Jefferson Memorial before entering the National Mall and running past the Lincoln, Roosevelt, Korean War and Vietnam Veteran’s memorials, plus the Washington Monument and the US Capitol.
The participants then cross the Potomac River for the second time and enter the glass and steel high-rises of Crystal City, pass the Pentagon and charge the final uphill path to the finish line at the Marine Corps War (Iwo Jima) Memorial.
Along the route, there are two speed check-points, the “Gauntlet” and “Beat the Bridge” which as designed to keep the race moving, and requires runners to maintain a 14-minute per mile (4.3 mph) pace.
A few of the more famous people that have completed the race over the years include Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, former ABC News Anchor Charlie Gibson, Oprah Winfrey, Mike Huckabee, Al Gore, and Ted Koppel.
The marathon is marking the special landmark running of the first marathon, the one run by Pheidippides after the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. His 26 mile run from the battle site to Athens was to inform his fellow Athenians that the army had defeated Persians forces on the battlefield. He is said to have stated “We have won,” and immediately collapsed from exhaustion and died on the spot. The Persian defeat at Marathon ended the first Persian invasion of Greece, and made Pheidippides a Greek hero.
Marine Corps Marathon – Starting line is just south of Arlington Memorial Drive on Route 110, Arlington, Virginia. Starting line and route information for more information.
Dates and Hours – Sunday, October 31, 2010. Wheelchair hand cycle race starts at 7:45 a.m., with runners dashing off at 8:00.
Admission – Spectators may watch from anywhere along the route.
Nearest Metro Subway Station – To access the starting line, use the Pentagon Station – Blue and Yellow lines. Metro will be open at 5:00 on race day. However, the Arlington Cemetery station will not open until 8 a.m., after the start of the race.
Other on-course Metro stations include Rosslyn, Smithsonian and Crystal City.
Parking – Free parking is available in Crystal City at the corner of 23rd & Crystal Drive. Limited metered street parking or area paid garage parking is available along the route, but expect rolling numerous street closures along the route.
Image – Pheidippides – Luc-Olivier Merson, 1869 – Wikipedia
