Navigation
Lucky Golden Ticket Inspires Runners to Sell Out Irish Sprint 10K
By Tami Faram
Quantico, VA
January 27, 2012
For the Washington Running Report
The Irish Sprint 10K has sold out in record time as runners dashed to register for the 6.2 mile event that provides a guaranteed spot in the 37th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM). Every Irish Sprint 10K finisher participating in the March 17 event will claim their "lucky golden ticket" that provides a registration code to secure their place in the "The People's Marathon."
The Irish Sprint 10K, which is part of the 2012 MCM Event Series, opened for online registration at noon Eastern on January 25 and closed to registration in less than two days. Runners registered for the final spots in the Irish Sprint by 10:00 p.m. on January 26, with the event sold out in 34 hours.
"It is thrilling to see runners respond so quickly and sell out the Irish Sprint 10K," says Rick Nealis, MCM Director. "There are 2,000 'lucky runners' who today have captured a very coveted spot in the fourth largest marathon in the country.
"Typically a 10K event attracts local runners, but the Irish Sprint and its offer to run the MCM has resulted in this unique registration explosion with runners from 34 states and even the countries of Brazil, Canada, Iceland and Mexico eager to participate," added Nealis.
More registration excitement for the 37th MCM is sure to follow when MCM registration opens to all Active Duty and Reserve military service members online at noon Eastern on February 23. Military members will receive a 15 percent discount for registering between February 23 and March 6, paying $78.20. The 15 percent registration discount is sponsored by MCM partner, Geico.
MCM registration then opens to the public starting at 3:00 p.m. Eastern on March 7 at a cost of $92. The MCM experienced a record sell out of just more than 28 hours in 2011, so MCM registration is once again expected to be fast-paced.
Registration will be available on the MCM Web site at www.marinemarathon.com.