QUANTICO, Va. -- The 40th Marine Corps Marathon will host this
year's Health & Fitness Expo at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center
in Washington, D.C. Free and open to the public on Friday, Oct. 23 and
Saturday, Oct. 24, the Health & Fitness Expo will be held in Hall C of the
Convention Center, which can accessed through the building's front entrance.
The Health & Fitness Expo will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days.
It is recommended all attendees arrive to the Expo via
the Mount Vernon Metro station (green/yellow). The Walter E. Washington
Convention is located at 801 Mount Vernon Place in northwest Washington, D.C.
Once off the Metro, visitors will walk to the front entrance of the Convention
Center on Mount Vernon Place to access the Health & Fitness Expo in Hall C.
There is no parking located at the Convention Center.
The Health & Fitness Expo traditionally kicks off MCM
Weekend with a celebratory opening ceremony and prize giveaways for those first
in line. The opening ceremony starts at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
Thousands of MCM, MCM10K and MCM Kids Run participants,
their families and supporters will attend the Expo to pick up exclusive MCM
Weekend materials. The Expo includes essential services, such as Packet Pick-up
where all MCM and MCM10K participants will obtain their official bib, event
program "Salute," technical participant shirt, clear plastic bag and
UPS baggage sticker. All MCM and MCM10K participants are required to present
their e-card and photo ID at Packet Pick-up.
More than 200 vendors will showcase fitness products and
equipment and provide samples, giveaways, health screenings and more. Hyundai,
the MCM's proud automotive partner, will display the MCM pace car for runners
and supporters to sign; Brooks unveils the 2015 collection of MCM apparel;
MARSOC showcases a Marine Corps ATV;
Arlington County hosts its new mobile visitor center and Wegmans welcomes
runners with a special launch zone.
Throughout MCM Weekend, runners can follow the MCM
Twitter account, @Marine_Marathon, for the chance to win one of 40 extra
special supersize goodie bags. These awesome prize bags will randomly be
distributed at MCM events with clues provided by the MCM Twitter account. Some
of the supersize goodie bags include running shoes from Brooks, iPad Minis from
First Command and Dunkin Donut gift cards. Even the supersize goodie bags
themselves will be a treat as they are produced by Relan from the 2014 MCM
finish line banners. Relan re-purposes banners into bags and other items that
can be purchased by MCM participants.
Shoe and Toy Drop Off
MCM runners can bring their used - but not abused -
running shoes to the Health & Fitness Expo for donation to the MORE
Foundation Group, benefiting West Africa's poorest family farms. Running shoes
can be dropped off in bins located near MCM Packet Pick-up. Also, U.S. Marines
from the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Toys program will accept new toys for
both girls and boys during the Health & Fitness Expo. The Marines will be
located in Packet Pick-up.
Celebrity appearances
Health & Fitness Expo attendees will have a chance to
meet celebrities at the Military Benefit Association booth #829. Appearing on
Friday, Oct. 23 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. are retired Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jim
Kuiken and his guide dog, Freedom. Kuiken and Freedom work with K9s for
Warriors, helping "give a new leash on life" to rescue dogs and
service members.
Rocky Bleier - former Pittsburgh Steeler, four-time Super
Bowl Champion and decorated Vietnam Veteran --Rocky Bleier will greet Expo
attendees from 1 to 3:30 p.m. A former Army Specialist, Bleier received both
the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his actions in Vietnam. He played for the
Steelers in 1968, until being drafted into the U.S. Army, and then returned to
play for the Steelers from 1971 to 1980.
Appearing on Saturday, Oct. 24, is former Washington
Redskins Jeff Bostic. The three-time Super Bowl Champion was a major
contributor to the Redskins' success while on the team from 1980 to 1993.
Bostic will greet Expo attendees from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Media interested in covering the Health & Fitness
Expo or any MCM Weekend event should complete the Credential Request form
available on the Media Services page of the MCM website. All media must be
credentialed. For more information about the MCM Press Conference or other
weekend coverage contact Tami Faram, Marine Corps Marathon Public Relations
Coordinator at 703-432-1840 or tami.faram@usmc.mil.
Further information about the 40th MCM is available at
www.marinemarathon.com.
Voted the "Best Marathon in the Mid Atlantic"
and "Best Marathon for Spectators," the Marine Corps Marathon honors the dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism of its participants. Also
known as "The People's Marathon," runners from all walks of life
participate in the MCM, the largest marathon not to offer prize money. The 40th
MCM sponsored by Arlington County, Brooks, Hyundai and Aetna will be hosted in
Arlington, VA on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement
is implied. #RunWithTheMarines.