35th Marine Corps Marathon Enjoys Near Record Sell Out

"The People's Marathon" Captures 30,000 Participants in Under Six Days

QUANTICO, VA - (April 13, 2010) - At near record pace, the 35th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) today sold out at 11:57 a.m. Eastern, with 30,000 participants registered to run on October 31. The MCM opened to the public on April 7 reaching full capacity in just under six days, marking the third fastest registration.

"Year after year, the Marine Corps Marathon continues to grow in popularity and remains the favorite marathon to run," says Rick Nealis, MCM Race Director.

The MCM known as "The People's Marathon," registered 23,793 runners in the first 24 hours. Runners are participating from all 50 states and more than 40 countries. The fastest MCM registration occurred in 2005, when capacity was reached in 62 hours and 9 minutes.

Runners still interested in the participating in the 2010 MCM can register to run for one of the more than 80 charities participating in the MCM Charity Partner Program by linking to the MCM charity page on the website at www.marinemarathon.com. A wide variety of charitable causes from all over the world are taking part in the MCM this year.

"The charities are poised to receive a large number of requests from runners still interested in gaining access to the 35th MCM," says Nealis. "Running for a charity not only is inspiring, but it brings out the 'team spirit' among runners, which is what the United States Marine Corps is all about."

The MCM is the fourth largest marathon in the country and the eighth largest in the world. Runners from all walks of life and athletic abilities will participate in the marathon that will start in Arlington, VA, run throughout the nation's capital and finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn, VA.