FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First-Time Marathoners To Be Celebrated In Special Event
at Marine Corps Marathon
Over 11,000 Runners Invited to MCM First Timers Opening Night on October 29
QUANTICO, VA (August 17, 2010) – The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), long
recognized as the best beginner marathon, will inaugurate over 11,000 new
marathoners at this year's event on October 31. To celebrate the commitment
of these runners and welcome them to the world of marathoning, the MCM will
introduce "MCM First Timers Opening Night" on Friday, October 29 from 7:30
to 10 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill at 400 New
Jersey Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.
"About a third of the MCM's race field each year is comprised of new
marathoners," said Rick Nealis, MCM race director. "They come to 'The
People's Marathon' because they've heard it's a positive, welcoming
atmosphere and with First Timers Opening Night, we want to build on that
reputation and increase these runners' opportunities for fun and success."
The evening's program will include a special welcome and instructional
video from Comcast SportsNet, the MCM Expert Bar to answer questions and
provide event details, great music, giveaways and more. Tables will be set
up by expected finish time for runners to mix and mingle with other runners
at the same pace. First timers may order from a special dinner menu. Cash
bar also will be available. Each first timer will receive a commemorative
pin.
Invitations to this free event will be emailed to all first timers, who may
RSVP by registering themselves and one additional guest. Runners are urged
to RSVP early as space is limited. Following the RSVP response, runners
will receive a confirmation email that serves as the ticket to enter the
event.
MCM Weekend events include the Health and Fitness Expo at the Walter E.
Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Oct. 29 and
Saturday Oct. 30; the Healthy Kids Fun Run a one-mile run for children ages
6 to 13 in Arlington, VA, on Saturday, Oct. 30; and the MCM10K on Sunday,
Oct. 31. The MCM10K (6.2 mile) race starts on the National Mall in
Washington, D.C., and shares its finish with the iconic MCM. Online
registration is open for the Healthy Kids Fun Run and MCM10K at
www.marinemarathon.com.
For media information regarding the Marine Corps Marathon and other weekend
events, contact Tami Faram, Marine Corps Marathon Public Relations
Coordinator at 703-432-1840 or tami.faram@usmc.mil.
Voted the best marathon for families, the Marine Corps Marathon honors the
dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism of its participants. Runners from
all walks of life participate in the largest marathon not to offer prize
money, earning the nickname as "The People’s Marathon." The MCM, sponsored
by Arlington County, Brooks, GE and Aetna, is the fourth largest marathon
in the United States and the eighth largest in the world. The 35th
anniversary Marine Corps Marathon will be held on October 31, in Arlington,
VA. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement is implied.
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