More than 11,000 runners invited to MCM first-timers opening night on October 29
QUANTICO, Va. - (August 17, 2010) - The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), long recognized as the best beginner marathon, will inaugurate more than 11,000 new marathoners at this year's event on Sunday, October 31. To celebrate the commitment of these runners and welcome them to the world of marathoning, the MCM will introduce "MCM First Timers Opening Night" on Friday, October 29 from 7:30 to 10:00pm at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill at 400 New Jersey Avenue NW in Washington, DC.
"About a third of the MCM's race field each year is comprised of new marathoners," said Rick Nealis, MCM race director. "They come to 'The People's Marathon' because they've heard it's a positive, welcoming atmosphere and with First Timers Opening Night, we want to build on that reputation and increase these runners' opportunities for fun and success."
The evening's program will include a special welcome and instructional video from Comcast SportsNet, the MCM Expert Bar to answer questions and provide event details, great music, giveaways and more. Tables will be set up by expected finish time for runners to mix and mingle with other runners at the same pace. First timers may order from a special dinner menu. Cash bar also will be available. Each first timer will receive a commemorative pin.
Invitations to this free event will be emailed to all first timers, who may RSVP by registering themselves and one additional guest. Runners are urged to RSVP early as space is limited. Following the RSVP response, runners will receive a confirmation email that serves as the ticket to enter the event.
MCM Weekend events include the Health and Fitness Expo at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on Friday, Oct 29 and Saturday Oct 30; the Healthy Kids Fun Run a one-mile run for children ages 6 to 13 in Arlington, VA, on Saturday, Oct 30 and the MCM10K on Sunday, Oct 31. The MCM10K (6.2 mile) race starts on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and shares its finish with the iconic MCM. Online registration is open for the Healthy Kids Fun Run and MCM10K at: www.marinemarathon.com.
Know someone else who's interested in running and triathlon?
