Washington DC Marathon
Washington DC marathon is included in the long distance running event held in America along with other famous marathons like Boston marathon which is the member of world major marathon run and the oldest modern marathon in the world. Chicago marathon and New York marathon are also members of Worlds marathon majors. Washington DC marathon is not included in the member of world marathon major however it is the fourth largest marathon of United Sates and seventh largest marathon of the world. Washington DC marathon is also called Marine Corps marathon, but it is different from other large marathons because it is the largest running event which is without cash prize. Marine Corps marathon which is also known as Washington DC marathon is held every year since 1975 and usually in the month of October or in the beginning of November.
In 2006, 32nd Marine Corps marathon was held on 10th of November in which 22,000 runners took part. The history of Marine Corp marathon or MCM started with Colonel Jim Fowler. After the Vietnam War the US soldiers lost their repute in the eyes of common people during the same day the running event took major people attention due to growing popularity of running events. Fowler took the idea of marathon especially for Marine crops in order to restore the repute and goodwill of army soldiers and Marine Corps. The MCM also gave an opportunity to marines to qualify for the Boston marathon after completing the Marine Corps marathon course. General Louis Wilson approved this idea and set the game for the repute and glory of soldiers. With the approval for the marathon idea, William J. Middendrof (the secretary of US navy) announced to give trophy as a reward for the winner of marathon. Many other famous athletes also offer their services for the publicity and progress of the marathon such as Ales Breckinridge.
Many famous personalities of that time took part in the publicity and fundraising moments for the arrangement of MCM. They gathered many people and introduced the MCM requirements and purposes. Walter Thompson advertising agency also played an important role in the publicity people campaign for MCM. He printed full page coverage in the runner magazine of June 1976 which contains all details about MCM, course description, reservation information, coupon, entry tickets, trophy and other award information and fundraising moments behind the race for charity and special fund for the rehabilitation of affected people of wars. With effective public relation and publicity of the event the first Washington DC marathon or MCM was held on 7th November in 1976 with 1175 participants. With the passage of time, the popularity of MCM increases and now a day it is 4th biggest of USA and 7th biggest, long distance running event of the world.
The official sponsors of Washington DC marathon is Wall mart, USAA and CVS Caremark who organize all the necessary action for the arrangements of race and also donate and supervise all the charity moments associated with the MCM. They also arrange residence, medical, food facilities for the runners, track and route information and also help for training and diet information for novice and nonprofessional runners. the resent Washington DC marathon course include state route 110, Roslyn, lee highway, spout run, gorge Washington memorial parkway, key bridge, Georgetown, Kennedy center, national mall, Lincoln memorial, Franklin memorial, Washington memorial, Korean war memorial, Vietnam Veterans memorial, US capitol, East Potomac park, Jefferson memorial, 14th street bridge, crystal city, The Pentagon and finally the race ends at Marine Corps war memorial.
The other small scale marathon which is held in Washington DC include Yakima River run marathon, Seattle marathon, Capitol City marathon, North Olympic discovery marathon, Whidbey Island marathon and San Juan Island marathon.
