Marine Corps Marathon

[BigIron]

The MCM is the only race I have run where there is a huge amount of spectators throughout the course. They are a motivated bunch of supporters and it is nice when they hand the runners food.

I just ran this year's ten miler up in DC. Probably a few thousand less participants, but way way fewer amounts of folks spectating.

 

[CommodoreMid]

Ran the Country Music 1/2 back in April (it's very convenient since the starting line was a couple blocks from my dorm and this year will be right outside my door), and it's a really fun one to do. I want to run a full at some point, but finding the time to train for the 1/2 during the semester is hard enough. I will have to wait till after graduation I guess.

 

[Carno]

I was out there with my TBS company handing out water. I have to agree, it was pretty inspirational to see all those people giving it their best effort.

Almost made me want to sign up for it next year... Almost.

 

[Crowbar]

The MCM is the only race I have run where there is a huge amount of spectators throughout the course. They are a motivated bunch of supporters and it is nice when they hand the runners food.

I remember grabbing a handful of Skittles from some weirdo holding a bowl full of them. They had probably been picked up out of a gutter or laced with something but at that point I didn't care.

Not a marathon, but for anyone in the greater Pensacola area in October, the Destin Crab Trap Triathlon is a pretty good time.

 

[BigIron]

I remember grabbing a handful of Skittles from some weirdo holding a bowl full of them. They had probably been picked up out of a gutter or laced with something but at that point I didn't care.

No doubt they were.

 

[VIZKRIEG]

I also ran this year, and I agree, the weather could not have been better. My time could have, but having a tonsillectomy in mid-September, finishing was the main priority.

 

[Intruder Driver]

Ran the MCM in 2001, six weeks after 9/11. I was surprised the lap around the Pentagon was kept in place, but it was. Running past the impact point, the noise went from the typical runner's chatter to dead silence. I don't remember hearing anyone talking until we were headed back up the GW Parkway.

I also remember the 2001 MCM because it was freezing. In the 30's at the start and only warmed up to the mid-40's.

...And that last segment up the hill to the finish seemed like forever.

 

[phrogpilot73]

I've run the MCM... Over the course of 4.5 years...

 

[Intruder Driver]

I've run the MCM... Over the course of 4.5 years...

Honesty is such a virtue...

 

[nittany03]

Ran the MCM in 2001, six weeks after 9/11. I was surprised the lap around the Pentagon was kept in place, but it was. Running past the impact point, the noise went from the typical runner's chatter to dead silence. I don't remember hearing anyone talking until we were headed back up the GW Parkway.

I also remember the 2001 MCM because it was freezing. In the 30's at the start and only warmed up to the mid-40's.

...And that last segment up the hill to the finish seemed like forever.

Me too . . . but I didn't remember it being that cold. Maybe it was all the running! I distinctly remember the "USA" chants under the overpasses near the Pentagon . . . people did it there so they could hear the echo. I bonked horribly at about mile 18, which of course was a couple over the longest training run I'd done. Absolutely hit a brick wall. Still finished in 4:30:28, but I was on pace halfway for a sub-4hr finish. Oh, well.

I'd love to do another now that I won't be needing my G tolerance for awhile. If my knees can take it again.

 

[pjxc415]

My favorite part* was around mile 19 or 20 going under the bridge/through the tunnel onto the highway - the crowd was absolutely roaring. Anyone see the Lt. Col dressed as a devil? I didn't but he was in the marathon magazine ... apparently he requested bib # 666.

* favorite part, other than finishing, obviously.

 

[BigIron]

My favorite part* was around mile 19 or 20 going under the bridge/through the tunnel onto the highway - the crowd was absolutely roaring. Anyone see the Lt. Col dressed as a devil? I didn't but he was in the marathon magazine ... apparently he requested bib # 666.

* favorite part, other than finishing, obviously.

Some runners wearing the wigs and other chicanery @ the start look like sh!it by mile 20 or so. Wigs are gone, facepaint is runny, smiles are in the crapper. Some folks try to wear costumes while running. @ the Army ten-miler there was a chick dressed like an orange and the dude running next to her was a banana. The orange was limping at mile 7.

 

[Pags]

Didn't see anyone in costume. Missed the Devil and Miss Utah...oh well. Did see someone dressed in what i think was a pear costume with a sombrero on shaking some maraccas. Chuckled about that one for awhile

 

[nittany03]

Some runners wearing the wigs and other chicanery @ the start look like sh!it by mile 20 or so. Wigs are gone, facepaint is runny, smiles are in the crapper. Some folks try to wear costumes while running. @ the Army ten-miler there was a chick dressed like an orange and the dude running next to her was a banana. The orange was limping at mile 7.

I don't know what motivates people to do that. Marathons are bad enough in PT gear with out doing them in costume. I figured everyone I saw like that was probably going to take at least 5 hours to finish, or be one of the ones that misses the cut when they start closing the course at like hour 6 or so . . .

 

[BigIron]

I don't know what motivates people to do that. Marathons are bad enough in PT gear with out doing them in costume. I figured everyone I saw like that was probably going to take at least 5 hours to finish, or be one of the ones that misses the cut when they start closing the course at like hour 6 or so . . .

I think the serious runners wouldn't dream of it. You usually see buffoonery like costumes and whatnot @ the mega-races. Happy Gilmore type crowds. I'm good with it as long as their falling-apart costumes don't FOD my path.

and