Runners from Across U.S. and 54 Nations to Participate in 37th MCM on October 28
QUANTICO, VA (Oct. 10, 2012) – Actor, comedian and U.S. Marine Rob Riggle, known for his humorous film roles in “21 Jump Street,” “The Hangover,” and “Stepbrothers,” and for his gig as comedy prognosticator on “Fox NFL Sunday,” will serve as an honorary starter of the 37th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM). An Emmy Award-nominated actor, Riggle is also a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve. On Sunday, Oct. 28, Riggle will join 2012 Olympic Marathoner Shalane Flanagan at the MCM start line in Arlington, VA to launch 30,000 runners in “The People’s Marathon.”
Before becoming a film, television and comedic performer, Riggle was on active duty serving in Marine Corps Aviation and later in Public Affairs on active duty and in the Marine Corps Reserve. During his more than 22-year military career, Riggle has been deployed to Afghanistan, Albania, Kosovo and Liberia. While developing his acting chops, Riggle has appeared in numerous television shows like “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “SNL” and in dramatic roles sharing scenes with Tom Hanks in “Larry Crowne.” He also appears in animated features like “The Lorax,” “Hotel Transylvania,” and Disney’s “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice,” for which he received a 2012 Emmy nomination.
“I’m very proud to be a Marine and I’m honored to be involved with this year’s Marine Corps Marathon,” says Riggle. “Of course I wish I could run in the race, but someone’s got to start the thing … and cheer on the runners … and perhaps have a hot dog and a beer.”
Joining Riggle during MCM Weekend is U.S. Olympic marathon runner Shalane Flanagan. Flanagan was the first U.S. woman to cross the marathon finish in 2:25:51, placing tenth among the world’s fastest women in London, her third Olympics. Flanagan also competed in 2008 in Beijing, where she received a Bronze medal for the 10,000 meters, prior to that she ran in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. A formidable force on the track, Flanagan remains a U.S. record holder in the 3k, indoor 5k and 10k running events.
An elite athlete featured in Nissan’s Innovation for Endurance program, Flanagan will be a special guest speaker at the MCM Runners Conference on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.
Flanagan will be available to MCM runners during the “First Timers” session beginning at 2:15 p.m. Flanagan also will appear that same day at the Nissan booth located at the MCM Health & Fitness Expo inside the DC Armory in Washington, D.C.
“The Marine Corps Marathon is pleased to include one of our own, Marine Lt. Col. Rob Riggle, and an Olympic runner of Shalane Flanagan’s caliber to add even more excitement to starting ceremonies,” says MCM Director Rick Nealis. “With both of their professional talents reflected in what we do as the Marine Corps Marathon organization, Rob and Shalane will help us propel runners on their marathon journey.”
The 37th MCM includes 30,000 participants ages 14 to 86 from all states and 54 countries. They will run the 26.2 mile event from Arlington, VA and throughout the nation’s capital to the iconic finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial.
About the MCM: Voted the “Best Marathon for Families” and the “Best Marathon in the Mid Atlantic,” 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 “The People’s Marathon.” The 37th MCM will be held on October 28, 2012 in Arlington, VA. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement is implied.
About Nissan and Innovation for Endurance: Nissan is a proud partner of the Marine Corps Marathon. The Nissan Innovation for Endurance experience at the Health & Fitness Expo and MCM Finish Festival allows consumers to participate in a running challenge, design a Nissan T-shirt, take a fitness test, enter a sweepstakes to win a Nissan vehicle and have a chance to experience the all-electric Nissan LEAF. Olympian and Nissan Innovation for Endurance athlete Shalane Flanagan will be signing autographs in the Nissan booth at the DC Armory on Friday, Oct. 26 from 5 to 6 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to noon; and at the Finish Festival at Wilson Blvd. and Lynn Street on Sunday, Oct. 28 from noon to 1 p.m. Nissan Innovation for Endurance features exclusive, daily content on the latest innovations in running, cycling, and fitness from expert bloggers and elite athletes like Shalane Flanagan. For exclusive training tips and more information about Nissan Innovation for Endurance, fans are encouraged to visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/InnovationforEndurance.