Rick Nealis

Published August 25, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated August 25, 2022 at 4:52PM

Marine Corps Marathon Race Director Rick Nealis (right) with Col. H.C. "Barney" Barnum Jr., a member of the race's Ad Hoc committee. Photo: George Banker

Rick Nealis made some choices on the fly while running the Marine Corps Marathon in 2020.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the race he has directed since 1993 to go virtual, he crafted his own course, though without his usual authority to close down roads he was accustomed to. He meandered the W&OD and Mount Vernon trails in Northern Virginia to get his 26.2 miles. With a course change after a mental remapping, a detour into Alexandria and a stop for refreshments in Old Town, he took what the day threw at him. It fit the perspective that has helped make his race a pillar of the American running community.

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Marine Corps Marathon to debut lottery next year

By Charlie Ban

Published October 6, 2013 at 8:18PM | Updated August 10, 2015 at 12:29PM

Runners cross the Key Bridge four miles into the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon. Photo: Cheryl Young

The Marine Corps Marathon will debut a registration lottery in 2014, a year after frustrations with registration management service Active caused thousands difficulty while they tried to register.

As announced in this year’s race guide, the lottery will open Feb. 23 and close March 15, and runners selected for the race will be notified March 19. The marathon has agreed to a multi-year contract with Race IT to manage registration.

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Marine Corps Marathon eliminates large hill (not THAT one)

By Dickson Mercer

Published August 20, 2013 at 5:44PM | Updated August 10, 2015 at 12:31PM

Changes to the Marine Corps Marathon course are exciting local runners and likely going to mean faster times this October.

Runners will not have to endure a big hill around the Georgetown Reservoir between miles seven and eight. Instead, from miles six through nine, runners will run up Rock Creek Parkway to the bottom of Calvert Street and back, a stretch used in the Navy and Nike Women’s half marathons, as the MCM course returns to a pre-2007 design.

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A Plan for Everything.

By Dickson Mercer

Published June 20, 2013 at 9:35PM | Updated August 10, 2015 at 5:20PM

The usual plan for the George Washington Parkway Classic calls for securing a 10-mile, point-to-point course that starts at Mount Vernon, proceeds along George Washington Memorial Parkway, and finishes in Alexandria – a short walk away from Oronoco Bay Park. This means, on one hand, that some sort of barrier must stand between every driver and every possible opportunity to unknowingly or knowingly enter the race course. On the other, it means that course marshals and police officers must be ready to stand by and enforce these barriers; and, should the unthinkable happen – a vehicle on the course – the plan includes being ready for that, too.

There is the job of safely transporting 6,000-or-so runners from an area near the finish – where many park – to the start. There is the readiness for any on-course injuries. There are risk management strategies. And yes, there is water, and sports drinks, and gel packs, and clocks at mile markers.

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MCM Race Director Makes Awards Presentation for 2009 MCM Team Running Store Competition

By Kristin Idle

Published January 15, 2010 at 3:56PM | Updated December 2, 2013 at 5:42PM

Come out to the =PR= Tysons store at 7516 Leesburg Pike, between Routes I-66 and I-495 on Route 7, (formerly Metro Run & Walk) on Tuesday, January 19 at 6:00 PM and meet MCM Race Director Rick Nealis as he presents a plaque recognizing the team’s victory. Adding to the evening’s excitement, the United States Marine Corps official mascot, the Bulldog, will be making a rare appearance shortly before the 6:00 PM awards presentation. Come on by a little early to meet him. Light food and beverages will be served, in addition to free give-aways to all attendees.