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37th Annual Marine Corps Marathon
October 28, 2012
Voted the best marathon for families, 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 MCM, sponsored by Brooks, Aetna, Arlington, VA and GE, is the fifth largest marathon in the United States and the ninth largest in the world. The 37th MCM will be held on Oct. 28 in Arlington, VA.
The MCM and Rosslyn
The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) route was changed in 2004 where runners would begin the race on Rosslyn’s main thoroughfares, making Rosslyn home to the first and fourth mile markers. In 2005, the Rosslyn BID became a proud sponsor of the Marine Corps Marathon.
The BID and Arlington County joined the MCM in throwing a giant party on Lynn Street for the 2006 race. The party included a country music star singing on a stage near the Meade Street Bridge, and the famed Clydesdale horses posing for photos with kids. The aptly titled "Finish Festival" is an annual street party that includes both runners and supporters. A live DJ, restaurant booths, and more fill the streets near Wilson Boulevard and North Moore Street.
In an interview for the Back Story of the summer 2011 issue of ROSSLYN magazine, MCM Race Director Rick Nealis said, “The seed was planted by the Rosslyn BID to brand it as our Finish Festival, so they raised the bar. It puts us on the same level as Chicago and New York.”
The Finish Festival Map highlights all the activities. There are also several street closures associated with the race and Finish Festival. The Marine Corps Marathon supplies a comprehensive list of street closures for your assistance.
Festival for Everyone
Moving the Finish Festival from the grounds of the Iwo Jima Marine Corps War Memorial to the streets of Rosslyn has allowed the entire community to enjoy the post-race activities alongside the runners and their fans. Festival activities have included live music, sponsor displays and giveaways, a Restaurant Row that includes several Rosslyn eateries, and the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden.
The Finish Festival has included the usual post-race activities: stations to check the runners’ status on the course, photo booths and massage tents to relax stiff muscles. Runners also can connect with families and friends at designated family link-up areas on the Meade Street Bridge.
Finally, to ease congestion around the Rosslyn Metro Station, post-race shuttle busses have been made available to take riders to Crystal City in Arlington.
Rosslyn Runners
In an online survey conducted this summer, the Rosslyn BID learned more about our runners from Rosslyn. Rosslyn runners range in age from 24 to 57, and nearly half are first-time participants. Over half are new to the area, moving to Rosslyn in the past one to three years, and 75% have no military affiliation. Our hometown runners choose to be a part of the race because of the reputation of the MCM, calling it the "best marathon" and a "great experience," or to make a statement in support of soldiers. One runner joined to "support my brother and best friend's husband who are both active military and running with us," and another said he is there because of "the memories of my family who have served." He continued, "Without a doubt one definite reason [to do this] is to support our troops."
Many Rosslyn runners trained in the neighborhood before joining the marathon. Runners cite Rosslyn has the "best access to all the running trails." One runner gushed, "The parks are beautiful and from inside their grounds have stunning views of the most important city in the world." Another runner claims that "Rosslyn spurred my love of running with its great access to trails and pro-fitness residents."
Arlington: Official Home of “The People’s Marathon”
Rosslyn’s effort to enliven its streets on race day is part of a larger County initiative to welcome the Marathon to Arlington County. Although 17 miles of the 26.2–mile course are run in Washington, D.C., Arlington is home to the Iwo Jima Marine Corps War Memorial, and the start and finish line. For many years, the County has provided police and security services for the event.
As of 2006, the County is the official home of “The People’s Marathon.” Arlington is also home to a new 10K race sponsored by MCM.
In late September 2006, Arlington County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off their new partnership with the Marathon. Rosslyn BID Ambassadors hang 60 colorful banners lining the streets of Rosslyn in celebration of the race.
Marathon Fills County Coffers
Hosting the MCM events draws an estimated 120,000 runners and spectators to Arlington on race weekend – always the last weekend in October. That translates into more than a $10 million boost in the County’s economy in just a few short days. The average MCM runner has a household income greater than $100,000. About half of the runners are from D.C., Maryland and Virginia; the other half hail from every other state in the U.S. and more than 40 countries – filling Rosslyn’s and the County’s hotel rooms and restaurants.
The Marathon also provides a platform for more than 30 charity partners, many of which are local, to raise nearly $5 million for their causes.