Start of Marine Corps Marathon

ABC's Good Morning America viewers overwhelmingly chose the Marine Corps Marathon for Good Morning America's Mike Barz to accomplish his new year's resolution of completing a marathon. Narrowing down choices based on time of year and average temperature, the features correspondent and weatherman offered the Chicago, Marine Corps and New York City Marathons as his top three options. Viewers were encouraged to vote for their choice on the Good Morning America website. The Marine Corps Marathon prevailed as the viewer's choice with 55 percent of the vote.

Poll results:
Marine Corps Marathon 55%
New York City Marathon 24%
Chicago Marathon 21%

A competitive runner in high school and team walk-on in his first year at Indiana University, Barz will train for the October 29 event with online coaching from the Marines. He will join 30,000 runners on the Arlington, VA start line.

"We are pleased to welcome Mike Barz to 'The People's Marathon' and look forward to following his training along with the Good Morning America viewers," said Rick Nealis, Race Director.

The selection of the MCM made by the Good Morning America viewers received an enthusiastic approval from Good Morning America co-anchor Charles Gibson, a Washington, DC native, who participated in the 1983 MCM and finished with a time of 3:43:24.

Stay tuned to Good Morning America and the MCM for updates on Barz' progress. For more information, visit www.marinemarathon.com or www.abcnews.go.com/GMA

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, deservingly earning the event its nickname "The People's Marathon." The 31st Marine Corps Marathon will be held on October 29, 2006. Rolling Registration opens on May 17th, 2006 at noon EST.

Visit www.marinemarathon.com for more information.