Grass Roots Running at its Best
The Unofficial Washington DC Marathon will be held on Sunday morning, March 23, at 7:30 am, from Memorial Bridge around the city to Freedom Plaza, organized by local running groups and many runners registered in the previously-scheduled Washington DC Marathon.

Runners registered for the marathon were shocked to find that the official Washington DC Marathon was canceled Wednesday night "due to security issues." Nearly 7,000 runners were signed up to participate, and there are many runners who would still like to run.

Runners will meet at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday at the DC end of the Memorial Bridge. Registration is free. Participants will sign a standard release form and wear a bib number. Course maps will be available at the starting line. The Unofficial Marathon will start at 7:30 a.m. Participants will follow the same course as the previously-scheduled Washington DC Marathon, but runners will need to use sidewalks and obey traffic laws. The course will not be closed to traffic. Many volunteers will assist along the course, but more volunteers are needed. Volunteers will need to be at Memorial Bridge at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday. Contact Therese Cluck at (703) 307-0123 or via e-mail: theresecluck@hotmail.com

A marathon in the District of Columbia brings together runners and supportive friends, family, and other community spectators. This great mix of people provides tourism benefits to the city. Some of these benefits are economic, helping restaurants and hotels. Other benefits help sustain the community itself. By hosting a marathon, Washington, DC shows it is a friendly place for tourists and other residents of the region. The marathon course shows that the DC neighborhoods are welcoming to runners, and that people can go to places in the city other than the most famous national monuments.

Conducting a marathon despite the official cancellation show that DC is not a scary place. Though cancellation conveys a message of concern for the runners and the community, it sends a message to participants and citizens throughout our country and the world that our national capital is not a place where people can gather together. Cancellation says to DC residents that people from other cities are afraid to visit the place that they call home. Nothing is further from the truth.

By participating in The Unofficial Washington DC Marathon, runners will show that even in times of war, community events can take place safely.

See a report and photos of the event Sunday afternoon on the Washington Running Report Web site: www.runwashington.com!