QUANTICO, VA (Sept. 8, 2015) – There’s no better way to enjoy the 40th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) then to share in the excitement and motivation of MCM Weekend with fellow marathoners. The MCM Pep Rally presented by First Command, MCM Runners bRUNch and expanded MCM Runner’s Conference presented by Leidos offer runners a variety of opportunities to revel together while obtaining running tips and advice for completing the Marathon course. The Pep Rally, Runners bRUNch and Runners Conference all open for registration on Wednesday, Sept. 9 starting at noon, Eastern at www.marinemarathon.com. Limited space is available for each event.
The MCM Pep Rally will be held on Oct. 23, the MCM Runners bRUNch on Oct. 24 and the MCM Runners Conference will be held over two days on Oct. 23 and 24. The 40th MCM will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25 in Arlington, VA and throughout the nation’s capital.
MCM Pep Rally
The exhilarating MCM Pep Rally presented by First Command and hosted by Runner’s World’s Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso, will gather marathoners of all skill levels to kickoff MCM Weekend. The Pep Rally includes music from Marine Corps Base Quantico’s Party Band and United We Sing – and cheerleaders of course! Finger foods and beverages will be available as runners celebrate and interact with industry experts including Brooks, Innovation Health, Clif, “Runner’s World” magazine, the Beef Checkoff Program, TomTom and wear blue: run to remember, which honors fallen service members in an emotional tribute along the MCM course.
All first-time marathoners attending the Pep Rally will receive a commemorative First Timers pin. The cost of the event is $10 for MCM runners and $15 per guest. The MCM Pep Rally will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Regency ballroom of the MCM headquarters hotel, the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, located at 400 New Jersey Avenue in Northwest Washington, D.C.
MCM Runners bRUNch
On Saturday, Oct. 24, MCM runners can get a sneak-peak at the MCM finish, the day prior to the Marathon by attending the MCM Runners bRUNch. The bRUNch offers a catered meal, featuring Schmacon from Beef Checkoff and guest speaker Bart Yasso, who will offer great running tips and relay colorful accounts of his experiences running marathons on every continent.
The Runners bRUNch begins at 10:30 a.m. with the meal served in the MCM VIP tent, located adjacent to the finish line. All attendees will receive a free 40th MCM commemorative coin by Sirah Contracting Inc.
Registration for the MCM Runners bRUNch is $35. Both the bRUNch and MCM Pep Rally are open to ages 10 and above. The bRUNch will not include a run.
MCM Runners Conference
Participants may choose from the variety of sessions offered at the MCM Runners Conference presented by Leidos. Free and open to the public, the Runners Conference will be held on Oct. 23 and 24 in the Carnegie Library’s McKinley Theater. The Carnegie Library is located at 801 K Street in Northwest, Washington, DC, which is conveniently located across from the MCM’s Health & Fitness Expo at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
The MCM Runner’s Conference presented by Leidos will include tips to improve running and fitness and opportunities to strategize for the 40th MCM run. Olympian Jeff Galloway will open the event, welcoming participants to the first session during MCM Weekend.
MCM Runners Conference Schedule:
Friday, Oct. 23
Meet Jeff Galloway, legendary Olympian and Run-Walk-Run coach – noon
MedStar Health, tips to weatherproofing your MCM run – 1:15 p.m.
MCM Final Prep, to help participants navigate their MCM run – 2:30 p.m.
MedStar Health, Best Exercises for Runners – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Meet CNN’s Tom Foreman, author of a book about his experience training for, and running, a marathon – noon
Meet the MCM Director, now 22 years at the helm of the MCM, meet Director Rick Nealis – 1:15 p.m.
Meet Runner’s World, tips on how to run your best MCM – 2:30 p.m.