FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marine Corps Marathon to Celebrate Battle of Marathon MCM Embarks on
Multi-City Tour with Marathon Flame Marking Origin of Distance Running
QUANTICO, VA (Oct. 6, 2010) - The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) will
celebrate its 35-year history while commemorating the 2,500th anniversary
of the Battle of Marathon and Pheidippidies' legendary run. To mark the
occasion, the MCM will receive the Marathon Flame from the Municipality of
Marathon, Greece, and embark on a multi-city tour beginning on Thursday,
Oct. 21 and concluding at the MCM on Oct. 31.
The MCM will present the Marathon Flame in four locations including
Hopkinton, MA; Boston, New York and Philadelphia in ceremonies to include
U.S. Marines and Sailors, Marine Corps veterans, members of the Greek
community and MCM runners. Located in Marathon, Greece, the flame is a
perpetual reminder of those who died in the Battle of Marathon between the
outnumbered Greeks and attacking Persians.
"It is only appropriate that the sport with military roots be celebrated by
the United States Marine Corps," says Rick Nealis, MCM Race Director. "The
Marine Corps Marathon will celebrate the origins of the sport by visiting
cities important to the history of the Marine Corps."
The MCM will receive the Marathon Flame on Oct. 21 during a ceremony in
Hopkinton, MA, the sister city of Marathon, Greece. The ceremony to include
the lighting of the Marathon torch will begin at 10 a.m. outside the
Hopkinton Police Department at 74 Main Street.
The next stop on the MCM tour is Boston. The MCM will hold a ceremony
beginning at 2 p.m. on Oct. 21, adjacent to the USS Constitution. U.S.
Marines and the U.S. Navy crew of the USS Constitution will join the event
while celebrating the ship's 213th birthday from its homeport at the
Charlestown Navy Yard.
On Oct. 22, the MCM will make an early-morning stop in New York City. From
there, the MCM staff and Marathon Flame will continue to the Philadelphia
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial located near Tun Tavern, the birthplace of the
United States Marine Corps, for a 3 p.m. ceremony.
Following the last stop in Philadelphia, the Marathon Flame will arrive at
Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA, to be incorporated into a variety of
programs throughout MCM Weekend. In addition, Dimitri Kyriakides, official
representative of the Municipality of Marathon will present "The Battle of
Marathon: The Sport's Greek History" at noon on Oct. 30, during the MCM
Speaker Series presented by Nissan. The Speaker Series will be held at the
Health and Fitness Expo presented by GE on Oct. 29 and 30 at the Walter E.
Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
For media information regarding the Battle of Marathon-Marathon Flame tour
sponsored by Dasani or the MCM Weekend of Events, contact Tami Faram,
Marine Corps Marathon Public Relations Coordinator at 703-432-1840 or
.
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 name as "The People's Marathon." The MCM is the fourth
largest marathon in the United States and the eighth largest in the world.
The 35th MCM will be held on October 31, in Arlington, VA. No federal or
Marine Corps endorsement is implied.
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