The 28th Annual Marine Corps Marathon will accept online applications for its registration lottery beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2003 at www.marinemarathon.com, and continuing through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2003. To fill the field of runners for the Sunday, October 26, 2003 event, applications will be randomly drawn starting on Tuesday, April 15 for six consecutive Tuesdays, concluding on May 20. The Marine Corps Marathon has sold out for four consecutive years, the last two through this online process.

"Every year the demand to participate in The People's Marathon increases," said Rick Nealis, race director. "The online lottery process gives the dedicated runners from all over the country and around the world the same opportunity to run in Arlington and Washington, DC in the Marine Corps Marathon."

Runners are only allowed to register once and remain eligible for each consecutive drawing until all available entries have been allotted. Those selected will receive a confirmation email or may check the "lottery information and confirmation" link on the Marine Corps Marathon website.

Registration for the 28th Marine Corps Marathon costs $80. All entry fees are non-refundable. An applicant's credit card will NOT be charged until his/her name has been selected to participate in this year's race. Transfer requests will be accepted until September 4. A $20.00 fee will be charged to transfer a runner's entry and must be handled by the Marathon staff.

Not ready to run a Marathon? Visit the Marine Corps Marathon website to register to participate in the 2nd Annual Marine Corps Marathon 5K or to volunteer during Marathon activities. 5K and volunteer registration begins March 15th and will continue through race weekend.

The Marine Corps Marathon 5K will be held at 9:15am on Sunday, October 26, following the start of the Marathon. Registration for the 5K costs $30, and is non-refundable.

The Marine Corps Marathon, also known as "The People's Marathon," is the sixth largest US Marathon and the tenth largest in the world. The 28th Marine Corps Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2003 in Arlington, Virginia. Lottery registration runs from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 15th, 2003 through 11:59 p.m. on May 19th, 2003, with lottery drawings for entries beginning on April 15, 2003.Registration and lottery entries will be taken online at www.marinemarathon.com. For more Marine Corps Marathon information or its surrounding events, please contact Kim Roberson in the Marine Corps Marathon Public Relations office at (703) 784-2225 ext. 296. For registration information, please contact the Marine Corps Marathon registration office at 1-800-RUN-USMC, or visit the marathon website at www.marinemarathon.com.