WHAT: The first of six lottery drawings will be held to begin registration for the 28th Annual Marine Corps Marathon

WHERE: www.marinemarathon.com.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 15, 2003, and each subsequent Tuesday through May 20, 2003

REGISTRATION INFORMATION: The Marine Corps Marathon is open for on-line registration until Monday, May 19, 2003. Runners who are interested in registering for the 28th Annual Marine Corps Marathon are invited to visit www.marinemarathon.com to register. Lottery drawings will be held every Tuesday for the next six weeks beginning this Tuesday, April 15, 2003. Names not drawn in the first lottery drawing will be eligible for each subsequent drawing until registration is closed and the last lottery drawing is held on Tuesday, May 20, 2003. Registration for the 28th Annual Marine Corps Marathon costs $80. Runners will not be charged until their name is selected for entry.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: As millions of Americans spend their tax day filling out their 1040's, thousands of runners from across the United States and the world will be looking for an e-mail message in their mailbox saying they have been chosen to run in the 28th Annual Marine Corps Marathon. For the third year, the Marine Corps Marathon will be using an on-line lottery system to select the men and women who will participate in "The People's Marathon" on Sunday, October 26, 2003.

By the time the six lottery drawings are complete on Tuesday, May 20, 2003, more than 18,000 people from all 50 states and dozens of countries will be registered to run Washington's oldest and best known marathon and one of the most popular marathon races in the world. Race Director Rick Nealis will call the first person drawn in the lottery, welcoming him or her to the Marine Corps Marathon family. Thousands of other hopefuls will receive e-mail messages announcing that they, too, have been chosen to run this year's race. Those not chosen will remain eligible for the remaining drawings.

MARINE CORPS MARATHON INFORMATION: The mission of the Marine Corps Marathon is to promote the United States Marine Corps' commitment to physical fitness by organizing a "People's Marathon" where runners can achieve a personal goal and realize their full potential. More than 18,000 runners will be registered to run one of the most scenic routes in the country: along the Potomac, around the Pentagon, down the National Mall, and past the Capitol Building. This year's marathon will be held Sunday, October 26, 2003 at 8:30 a.m. The Marine Corps Marathon also hosts the 4th Annual Healthy Kids Fun Run on Saturday, October 25 and the 2nd Annual Marine Corps Marathon 5K on Sunday, October 26, immediately following the start of the Marathon. Registration for the Marine Corps Marathon 5K is also being held on-line at www.marinemarathon.com, and will remain open until race week.

Runners with questions about the Marine Corps Marathon are invited to call (800) RUN-USMC, or visit the race Web site.