FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MCM Weekend Events Offer Info, Entertainment and Enthusiasm
First Timers Pep Rally, Runners bRUNch & Runners Conference
Open to Runners and Guests
QUANTICO, VA (Sept. 9, 2014) - Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) participants are
gearing up for an exhilarating four-day weekend this October including
motivating experiences such as the First Timers Pep Rally, Runners bRUNch
and Runners Conference. Each of these events opens for registration
starting at noon tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 10 at www.marinemarathon.com,
with limited space available.
The electrifying First Timers event rallies newbie marathoners together to
share in the excitement of MCM Weekend while quelling nerves. The First
Timers Pep Rally includes music, cheerleaders, giveaways, finger foods and
beverages, and a panel of experts who will guide runners through their goal
to complete 26.2 miles. Panelists include representatives from Brooks,
Clif, "Runner's World" and the Beef Checkoff Program. All MCM runners
attending the Pep Rally will receive the celebratory First Timers pin. The
First Timers Pep Rally, open to 1,000 attendees, costs $10 for MCM runners
and $15 per guest. The event will be held at the MCM Headquarters hotel,
the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, located at 400 New Jersey
Avenue in Northwest Washington, D.C.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, the unique MCM Runners bRUNch offers a 5K run,
catered meal, guest speaker and a sneak peak at the iconic MCM finish, the
day prior to the 39th MCM. The Runners bRUNch is a 3.1 mile run starting at
9 a.m. from the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to the Marine Corps War
Memorial in Rosslyn, VA. Upon the 5K finish, a catered brunch will be
served in the MCM VIP tent, located adjacent to the finish line. All
attendees will receive a free commemorative coin and hear colorful accounts
and distance running tips from Bart Yasso, "Runner's World" Chief Running
Officer. Registration costs $40. The Runners bRUNch is open to ages eight
and above.
Also inspiring is the MCM Runners Conference with a new topic addressed
that includes insights into the women's running. Free and open to the
public, the MCM Runners Conference will include two sessions in the Capital
Room of the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill.
The first session, "Intro to the MCM," begins at 1 p.m. with MCM Director
Rick Nealis, celebrating his 21st year at the helm of the "The People's
Marathon." Joining Nealis is MCM Historian and MCM Hall of Famer George
Banker and MCM Medical Director Navy Capt. Michele Weinstein. Weinstein
annually coordinates 700 U.S. Navy and civilian medical professionals who
assist all runners during MCM Weekend. Banker is author of "The Marine
Corps Marathon, A Running Tradition" and an avid marathoner who will mark
his 100th marathon run at the 39th MCM. This "Introduction to MCM" also
includes representatives from Brooks, Aetna and Clif providing helpful tips
for completing the MCM.
The second session, "Champions in Women's Running" begins at 2:15 p.m.
debuting world-class marathoners who will glean from their experiences as
female participants. Two of the Russian and Ukrainian-born athletes have
earned titles as world marathon champions, including Olga Markova, who
maintains the 2:37:00 record-finish among MCM women. Markova placed first
among women at the 15th MCM in 1990. She was later inducted into the MCM
Hall of Fame, Class of 2007.
Also on the women's running panel, Christine Fennessy, elite athlete and
contributor to "Runner's World" magazine, will join Tatyana Pozdnyakova, a
previous world-record holder among women marathoners in the maters
category. In 2001, at age 47, Pozdnyakova obtained her personal best of
2:29:00 while capturing the title at the marathon in Providence, RI.
These celebrated athletes are sure to motivate all attendees. Although
entry to the Runners Conference is free, advanced registration is required
as seating is limited.
Voted the"Best Marathon in the Mid Atlantic" and "Best Marathon for
Spectators," the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) honors the dedication,
sportsmanship and patriotism of its participants. Also known as "The
People's Marathon," runners from all walks of life partcipate in the MCM,
which is the largest marathon not to offer prize money. The 39th MCM
sponsored by Arlington, Brooks, Hyundai and GE will be hosted in Arlington,
VA on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement is
implied. #RunWithTheMarines.
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