Are you up for a tough challenge? If so, the Marine Corps Marathon could be the ideal marathon for you. Do you think you can hang with some of the best trained soldiers in the United States?
Would you love to race through Washington D.C.?
Would you do it even if there were no prize money waiting at the finish line?
You may not be ready to head out to battle under the weight of helmet, guns and gear, but you can definitely train your body to handle 26.2 miles alongside some of the toughest runners in the world.
This is where the Marine Corps Marathon is all about.
Who Should Participate
The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) is just one event offered every October to bring out the courage and strength of everyday people like you and me.
It welcomes participants over the age of 13 and receives entries from all around the world year after year.
There is also a 10K and fun run for children offered in October, along with a Turkey Trot at the end of the year. Those events are much easier to gain entry into, since the MCM sells out extremely fast.
In 2011, the marathon sold out except for charity entries in less than thirty hours. That is amazingly fast, considering the race field can accommodate up to 30,000 runners each year.
This fast sellout left many runners to sign up through charities or scout out runners who gained entry but couldn’t follow through with the race. Many were left out of the race entirely simply because they could not get an entry ticket.
Popularity of Marine Marathon
This makes you wonder why this event is so popular with runners year after year. There are many other marathons racing throughout the ear, but everyone seems to line up for this one event.
Part of the popularity comes from the fact that the race is hosted by and benefits the U.S. military. Part of it also comes from the challenge of making it through one of the most intense marathons offered in the country.
There is a reputation for those going through this marathon for being super tough.
The Marine Corps Marathon is also one of the best marathons in the country for those with families. In a sense, it is more than just a race. It is a full weekend of fun and socialization for runners around the country.
Those running the marathon for the very first time can enjoy a special First Timers Pep Rally, which welcomes them into the MCM community. Children can come along and get healthy alongside their parents by racing in the Healthy Kids Fun Run.
There is also a health and fitness expo that happens during this military marathon weekend. Runners can partake in a Runners Conference and there is an optional Carbo Dining-In, which is a military style pasta dinner for all runners and their loved ones. All of that happens in addition to the race, which is the highlight of the entire weekend.
When to Register
If you want to take part in all of the fun, you will have to think ahead. You need to be ready for the opening of registration, due to the extremely fast sellout rate.
If you need to enter later on, you can visit the MCM Facebook page and watch for posts advertising available transfer entries. This is one of the few marathons that allows paid participants to transfer their race ticket to someone else, without penalty.
Serious racers wait eagerly for the opening of registration and secure their ticket, but many will suffer injuries that prevent them from racing or there may be other obstacles keeping them from the race. They will sell their entry for the cost of entry and switch their ticket to you.
Marine Corps Marathon Preparation and Race
Once registered, you will find a tremendous community of supporters online. The MCM Facebook page is very active with runners training for this challenging marathon. You can report your daily runs and get inspiration from others, and of course give inspiration in turn.
There are also a variety of training plans online from runners who have completed this marathon or others just as challenging in the past. These plans will help you get your body ready for the intense environment of the Marine Corps Marathon.
Are you still searching for a marathon training plan that fits your needs? My 100 Day Marathon Plan review tells you all about Marius Bakken’s revolutionary method to train for a marathon. Make sure to read it!
There is a huge celebration at the finish line, so imagine yourself partying with some of the world’s most elite runners next year.
Remember, the key to success is planning ahead. Planning is required for training as well as entry into the race. You must also plan ahead to secure accommodations as Virginia and D.C. will be incredibly packed during this exciting weekend.
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