40th Marine Corps Marathon debuts 2015 course

5 Sep 2015 | Courtesy Story The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

The Marine Corps Marathon is debuting its marathon course and online interactive map with slight changes from Miles 22 to 24 of the 26.2 mile course located in Crystal City, Va, Sept. 5, 2015. The 40th anniversary of the MCM occurs on Sunday, Oct. 25 in Arlington, Va. and throughout the nation's capital. The MCM's vibrant online course map, created with Bethesda, Md. based web software and interactive services firm, Geocentric, is accessible on the website at www.marinemarathon.com.

Participants will want to note the changes that occur in Crystal City on Crystal Drive. It's here that the MCM course will turn into Crystal Park Tower #2, located near South 23rd Street, and continue making a short loop through streets on and off Long Bridge Drive. MCM participants will enjoy all the color and motivation on this portion of the marathon course as the Crystal City Family Festival is held in conjunction with the 40th MCM.

From Crystal City, MCM participants will run along Boundary Channel Drive, making their way to the north side of the Pentagon, as was introduced to last year's MCM course, and then travel along the final stretch on Route 110 in Arlington. Spectators and U.S. Marines will cheer all to the grand MCM finish on the Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn, Va.

The 40th MCM begins on Route 110 in Arlington, Va, between Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon, and travels along remarkable National Park landscape throughout the Nation's capital. The 2015 MCM course will take participants on an unforgettable journey from Arlington to historic Georgetown, along the picturesque Potomac, to the tip of Hains Point, onto the National Mall and parallel to the country's most significant landmarks, and all along spectator-lined streets.

The MCM's zoomable course map includes a depiction of each mile marker and other important information, including the location of each of the 12 water points, 10 on-course aid stations and four food stations.

Opening ceremonies for the 40th MCM begin at 7:20 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25. Wheelchair and hand cycle participants will start at 7:45 a.m., with both the 40th MCM and MCM 10K starting at 7:55 a.m. While the MCM is sold out, the MCM 10K is open for registration at www.marinemarathon.com. The MCM 10K will start on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and finish with the 40th MCM on the Marine Corps War Memorial.

More information about the 40th MCM is available at www.marinemarathon.com.

The Marine Corps Marathon, voted "Best Marathon in the Mid Atlantic," the "Best Marathon for Charities" and the "Best Spectator Event, honors the dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism of its participants. Known as "The People's Marathon," runners from all walks of life participate in the MCM, which is the largest marathon not to offer prize money. The 40th MCM on Sunday, October 25, is sponsored by Arlington County, Brooks, Aetna, Hyundai and GEICO. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement is implied. #RunWithTheMarines