"The People's Marathon"

In previous posts I have described how I felt running 2 great marathons in the US; Chicago and Boston. Now is time to describe or at least try to put in words how it feels running the “People’s Marathon”, The US Marine Corps Marathon (MCM).

"The People's Marathon " is not just a slogan. The MCM does not pander to elites (no cash prizes for anyone) or the elitist. This is a race where anyone has a chance to win. One of the many reasons that many runners choose this race as their first marathon.

There is a solemnity and sense of honor to this race that sets it apart. In 2008, scores of alumni from one Naval Academy class ran in honor of classmates who have fallen in combat. You encountered many poignant memorials and tributes over the course of that day. At times, it was as if more than just the great course and the raucous crowds carried you over the long road that is a marathon.

There exists a wealth of big-city, world-class U.S. marathons: New York, Chicago and (for some) Boston are special, each in their own way. But the Marine Corps Marathon is the Great American Race and every runner, everywhere, should experience it at least once.

The MCM route provides vistas that linger in the your recovery memory: Georgetown University bathed in early morning light, the grandeur of the Mall and its many monuments and landmarks such as Haines Points, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War and Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Washington Monument and the US Capitol, and finishing at Iwo Jima Memorial.

The actual marathon route is very tough, thanks to two large hills at the beginning that suck away your strength. You start going uphill pretty much at the start line, and crest the first big hill three miles later. After a very quick downhill, you climb hill number two - four miles of it - before again plummeting back to sea level. By the halfway point, your leges feels like it's shredded. But even so, the route is so beautiful that you will certainly enjoy every step of it. You run down the Potomac River along a golf course, which is flat and beautiful, before you run down the National Mall, which is simply incredible. Spectator support is pretty good, especially along the Mall and in Crystal City. The finish at the Iwo Jima Memorial was on top of a hill (only the Marines could come up with that one) but still utterly perfect. All along the route, men and women from the Marines, Navy, Army and Air Force cheer for you. It's quite humbling, really.

At the finish line a uniformed marine will place the medal in your neck. What a special moment! the medal? The medal is simply a piece of art and one that hold a special place in my collection.