The Marine Corps Marathon announced today the exciting entertainment line up for the Carbo Dining In, an upscale pasta party event for the MCM, on October 27 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Following the spirit of traditional military formal dinners called "Dining-In", the Carbo Dining will give runners motivational fuel for race day. Utah National Guard Sergeant and current Miss Utah Jill Stevens will be the special guest speaker.

From combat boots to running shoes to high heels, 24-year-old Jill Stevens is the current Miss Utah, (she will compete for the Miss America title in the spring of 2008) and she has been an active member of the Utah Army National Guard since 2001 as a combat medic with the 1/211 Aviation. She recently graduated Suma Cum Laude from the Nursing program at Southern Utah University on a four-year leadership scholarship, and hopes to focus her career on critical care, ultimately as a flight nurse. Stevens has completed ten marathons, frequently placing in the top ten in her age group and will be participating in her first Marine Corps Marathon run this year.

"I've worked hard to be a marathon runner, a soldier, and a public speaker," said Stevens. "I want to show people that if you have the desire to try something, you can achieve it and I hope to share that message of inspiration with runners at the Carbo Dining In."

Attendees will also enjoy the pomp and circumstance of the Marine Corps color guard and a chance to meet the USMC mascot, Chesty the bulldog. The program concludes with a raffle featuring prizes from VSP, Brooks, and Jet Blue Airways.

The Carbo Dining In will feature two seatings, 4:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., and includes a buffet-style pasta dinner, salad, drinks, desert and more. The 4:30 p.m. seating is sold-out, however, tickets for the 6:15 p.m. seating may be purchased online until September 27 or during race weekend at the Health and Fitness Expo at the DC Armory and the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill on October 25-27. All pre-ordered tickets will be inserted into the runner's race materials received at Packet Pick-up. Guests are reminded to adhere to their assigned seating times.

Marine Corps Marathon web site