FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marine Corps Marathon's Quantico Headquarters
to Become Fowler Hall Building dedication on September 14
to honor 'The People's Marathon' founder
QUANTICO, VA (Sept. 9, 2015) - The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) will forever
recognize its founding father, Marine Col. James Loftus Fowler when the
organization's Marine Corps Base Quantico Virginia headquarters is named
Fowler Hall. The dedication ceremony of Fowler Hall will be held at 11 a.m.
on Monday, Sept. 14 in front of the MCM building located at 3399 Russell
Road.
Media is welcome to cover the building dedication. Guests are by invitation
only.
Fowler died at age 84 on January 20. Nearly four decades of MCM history can
be traced back to Fowler, and his "big idea" for a marathon event that
would showcase the U.S. Marine Corps in a positive light while generating
goodwill within the community and beyond the Marine Corps Base.
According to Fowler, "after the Vietnam War, popularity of the military
services declined in the eyes of many and at the same time distance running
was gaining considerable positive attention." This led Fowler to write a
memo to his superior, Gen. Michael Ryan, dated Oct. 17, 1975, outlining his
plan for a Marine Corps Reserve Marathon, to promote community goodwill,
showcase the Marine Corps, serve as a recruiting tool and to give local
Marines an opportunity to qualify for the marathon in Boston. These
concepts became the tenants of the Marine Corps Marathon, which at its core
promotes physical fitness.
The first Marine Corps Reserve Marathon on Nov. 7, 1976 included just over
1,018 finishers and was, at the time, the largest inaugural marathon.
Today, the Marine Corps Marathon includes 30,000 registered participants
from every state and 58 countries.
Known as "The People's Marathon," the 40th Marine Corps Marathon will be
celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 25 in Arlington, VA and throughout the nation's
capital.
More information about the 40th MCM is available at www.marinemarathon.com.
The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), voted "Best Marathon in the Mid Atlantic,"
the "Best Marathon for Charities" and the "Best Spectator Event," honors the
dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism of its participants. Known as "The
People's Marathon," runners from all walks of life participate in the MCM,
which is the largest marathon not to offer prize money. The 40th MCM on
Sunday, October 25, is sponsored by Arlington County, Brooks, Aetna,
Hyundai and GEICO. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement is implied.
#RunWithTheMarines
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