Press Release - Marine Corps Marathon - 8/13/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             Contact: Amy Stockwell 
                                           (703) 784-2226 x296
                                           stockwellag@nt.quantico.usmc.mil


     Course Changes Announced for 28th Marine Corps Marathon
   
Quantico, VA (13 August 2003) - The Marine Corps Marathon announced course 
changes for the Sunday, October 26 event, affording runners more time to 
get to the 14th Street Bridge prior to its 2 p.m. reopening to vehicular 
traffic.  The new course guides runners to the 14th Street Bridge just 
after mile 21, nearly one mile sooner than previous years.  Altering the 
course became necessary when construction began in the Pentagon parking 
lot, traditionally used for mileage at the beginning and end of the Marine 
Corps Marathon. 

"In the past, runners spent a significant amount of time circling the 
Pentagon and keeping an eye on the clock to get to the 14th Street Bridge 
before getting swept up in the stragglers bus," said Race Director Rick 
Nealis.  "The alterations significantly untangle the Arlington side of the 
course and virtually eliminate any concerns over not 'beating the bridge.'" 

A 200-foot incline will be introduced at mile 3.5 when runners turn into 
the Navy Annex.  The third-of-a-mile uphill guides runners to Henderson 
Hall before sending them back down the very same hill.   Additionally, the 
Marine Corps Marathon course includes a minimal return to East Potomac Park 
after a two-year absence, utilizing just two miles of park roads.  Other 
changes include bumping the course back to Independence Avenue from the 
Mall; taking runners closer to the Jefferson Memorial by incorporating 
Basin Drive; adding Army Navy Drive and Old Jefferson Davis Highway in mile 
23-24; and pushing the finish line back fifty feet.  

A complete course map is viewable at www.marinemarathon.com.

The Marine Corps Marathon, also known as "The People's Marathon," is the 
seventh largest US Marathon and the tenth largest in the world.  The 28th 
Marine Corps Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2003 in 
Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C.  Other events include the Healthy 
Kids Fun Run on Saturday, October 25 and the MCM5K on Sunday, October 26. 
www.marinemarathon.com.


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