New Location Offers Spectators and Runners Post Race Activities,
Live Music and More
The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) Finish Festival presented by AT&T has relocated off the Marine Corps War Memorial grounds to North Lynn Street in Rosslyn. The MCM and the Rosslyn Business Improvement District offer an unparalleled post-race experience for runners and spectators along a half mile stretch of North Lynn Street.

Exciting activities including live entertainment, food, and giveaways await runners after they cross the legendary finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial and proceed through hospitality to the new Finish Festival. Post-race services located in the Finish Festival include Family Link Up, Info Tent, Massage Tent, UPS Baggage Pick-Up, and food sampling. Family and friends can purchase flowers for finishers at the Stems booth.

"Rosslyn is at the center of Arlington County's cutting-edge growth," says Cecilia Cassidy, Rosslyn BID and Rosslyn Renaissance Executive Director, "We are excited to bring the MCM Finish Festival into Rosslyn's healthy and vibrant community."

The new MCM Finish Festival will continue to include runner and spectator favorites like free AT&T phone calls, the Cisco Check Your Runner Station, and the Tylenol 8 Hour photo booth. Runners and spectators 21 years and older can check out the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden to toast their achievements or get a photo with the legendary Anheuser Busch Clydesdales.

Finisher items will be for sale at the MCM Brooks Store and other booths featuring plaques and personalized recognition products. MCM sponsors Garmin and Saturn will also host displays. The Festival boasts a Restaurant Row including several Rosslyn eateries. New this year: USAA, a proud presenting sponsor of the MCM, will issue a limited edition engravable coin to all finishers.

The lineup of live music includes great local bands, Chopteeth and Members Only, and features country singer and former National Guardsman Luke Stricklin, who will take the stage at 1:00 pm.

Runners will be able to retrieve personal items that were checked prior to the race from a lineup of 40 UPS Baggage Trucks at the corner of N. Lynn St. and Wilson Blvd. The family Link-up area, with designated spots to reunite families, will be located on the Route 50 overpass on N. Lynn St.

Post race shuttles will pick up participants at the corner of N. Lynn St. and Wilson Blvd. at the end of the Finish Festival to transport runners to one of three locations: Crystal City (23rd & Crystal Drive), Vienna Metro Station or Metro Center.

About The Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID): The Rosslyn BID, which started operations in 2003, provides services designed to make Rosslyn an exciting, urbane commercial center for its workers, residents and visitors. The BID cleans and maintains Rosslyn's 17-block commercial office core through its Ambassador program, beautifies and landscapes the public spaces, sponsors community concerts and events, supports the Georgetown Metro Connection Shuttle Van, provides services for Rosslyn's homeless individuals, and markets and promotes Rosslyn, among other activities.

About the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM): Voted "Best Marathon for Families" by HerSports Magazine, the Marine Corps Marathon continues a combined tradition of dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism. Since its inception, over 300,000 civilian and military runners from all walks of life have participated, earning the event its nickname "The People's Marathon." The 31st Marine Corps Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 29. See the event Web site marinemarathon.com for further information.

Photo above of the 2005 female winner Susannah Kvasnicka near mile 16. (Photo by Drew Woodrich) See the 2005 story, "Calm, Cool, and Collected".