Meet the Marines at the Kentlands Whole Foods Market
Registration for the Healthy Children's Fun Run is still available. Check out the MCM website for a downloadable application or make a day of registering by attending the Marine Corps Marathon and Whole Foods Healthy Kids Event.

Stop by the Gaithersburg, Maryland Whole Foods at 315 Kentlands Blvd on September 24 from noon - 2:00 pm for a variety of family activities including live music, warm-ups with Marines, fun with Miles, the MCM mascot, and Ned the Newshound from The Washington Post.

See the Marine Corps Marathon Web site

Fill out a registration form for the MCM Healthy Kids Fun Run, a one mile fun event (not a race) held on Marathon day, October 30 beginning at 9:10 am -- minutes after all 30,000 MCM runners cross the start line. The race field for the one mile run is limited to 2,000 children between the ages of 6-13 and pre-registration is required. All runners must be registered and pay the $12 entry fee by October 17, 2005. Participants will receive a t-shirt, finisher's ribbon and snacks at the finish line.

The new Healthy Children's Fun Run One Mile course begins on Route 110 and Marshall Drive in Arlington, VA, and utilizes the same finish line as the Marine Corps Marathon. A new addition this year is Camp Miles, a post-run activity area featuring interactive challenges and games focusing on health and fitness hosted by the National Children's Museum and ABC 7 WJLA.

The Healthy Kids Fun Run is presented by The Washington Post and sponsored by Sodexho, Families Magazine, ABC7 WJLA, Brooks, Lincoln Property, Whole Foods and Navy Federal Credit Union.


Marathon runners--Remember you must retrieve your E-confirmation card and bring it to the MCM Runners' Expo to obtain your bib, chip and participant shirt.

If you have an interesting, inspiring or unusual reason for running the marathon, please share your story by emailing marine.marathon@usmc.mil

Top five runner etiquette tips
Line up at the start line according to your proper corral -- Help make the race a fun experience for all runners by properly assessing your pace and expected finish time and lining up accordingly by bib number and color. Scarlet wave starts at 8:15 a.m. Gold wave launches at 8:45 a.m.

Be aware of those around you -- Remember that there are many runners on the course, 30,000 people. Be aware of runners who may be slower or faster than you. Say, "excuse me" or "behind you" before you pass a slower runner. If you are a slower runner, allow the faster runner to move by smoothly.

Water station courtesy -- At water points, please remember your manners. Try not to slow down or walk directly in front of someone running faster. Make an effort to throw away your cup. If there is not an available trash can close by, make the clean-up effort easier by throwing your cup with the others.

Clear the finish line area -- After you cross the finish line, prevent congestion by walking ahead to the chip removal area where a Marine volunteer will help remove your chip and give you a chance to catch your breath.

Thank the volunteers -- They work hard and donate their time and efforts to help each runner experience his/her best race. Encourage them with a smile or a thank you.


Marathon day transportation
For the first time in Marine Corps Marathon history, Metro will open at 5:00 am, an hour earlier than previous years. Runners in the first or 'scarlet' wave should take Metro's blue line to Arlington Cemetery to reach the Rt. 110 start line. Runners in the second or 'gold' wave and MCM8K participants should take the yellow or blue line to the Pentagon station for pre-race queuing and activities in the Runners' Village in the North Pentagon parking lot. The MCM suggests families attending the Healthy Kids Fun Run take the orange or blue line to Rosslyn to access the Kids Compound at the Iwo Jima Monument. Remember to purchase your Metro One Day Pass at the expo to ease your Marathon day travel. Metro Park and Ride Information can be found at WMATA

Free parking is also available in the RFK Stadium DC Armory lots. Shuttle buses, including those for runners only, will transport runners and spectators from RFK Stadium to the North Pentagon parking lot and Runners' Village. Return shuttles will be available from North Meade Street by UPS Baggage Pick-Up. Additional free parking is available in the underground lots in Crystal City at the corner of 23rd & Crystal Drive with easy access to the Crystal City Metro Station.


Chow on the MCM course
Runners new to marathoning may be surprised to see a variety of cookies, fruit, drinks and other nourishment along the MCM course. Just after mile 5, runners will find Sunkist oranges, a great source of carbohydrate fuel for a quick pick-me-up. Enjoy a ClifShot at mile 12 in one of eight flavors: Viva Vanilla, Mocha Mocha, Sonic Strawberry, Razz Sorbet, Mmm Chocolate, Cola Buzz, Orange Creamsicle and Go Mango. For that last burst of sugar, try a Subway cookie at mile 21. Runners will be offered water and lemon lime PowerAde sports drink at each of 13 water points throughout the course to quench thirst and replenish minerals, as well as supply carbohydrates and electrolytes. Finally, the hospitality tent at the finish offers a variety of Einstein Bros Bagels, Snyder's Pretzels, Yoplait Yogurt Smoothies, and Nestle chocolate bars, as well as apples and bananas to refuel runners after their race. Runners may also choose to refresh in the Listerine Misting Tent and grab a new Listerine Pocket Mist.