CALLING ALL DCRR MEMBERS, MCM RUNNERS AND THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
We are partnering again this year with the Hope for Warriors, our sponsor for Charity Village! Hope for Warriors provides comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, and military families that are focused on transition, health and wellness, peer engagement, and connections to community resources.
CHARITY VILLAGE:
Charity Village is located on the Iwo Jima grounds at the finish line. The tent will be open and manned from 4:30 am until 5:00 p.m. on race day. Access to Charity Village is near the entrance to Fort Meyer – Wright Gate at the intersection of N Marshall Drive and N Meade Street.
The Hope for Warriors will have a large tent conveniently located near the sidewalk that runs in front of the Netherlands Carillon. Look for their logo/sign on the tent, as we won’t have a DCRRC sign.
CHARITY VILLAGE MEETING AREA:
Family, friends and runners are welcome before and after the race and can meet up at the tent. Hope for Warriors will have lots of bins for baggage drop off, food and beverages before and after, chairs, tables, massage therapists (remember to thank them for their volunteer massage with a tip)! Breakfast and lunch will be available throughout the day – and Pizza comes at 11:00!
Plan on meeting up before to see everyone and link up after!
Lots of porta potties, no line, and clean amenities!
AND OF COURSE, we are there to encourage and thank our wounded warriors!
CHARITY VILLAGE VOLUNTEERS:
Hope for Warriors would appreciate if anyone not running the race or waiting for a loved one to help -- either congratulating the wounded vets, cleaning up or organizing the drop off gear. Just show up and offer to help!!
CHARITY VILLAGE SECURITY:
Security Check point will be at the Fort Wright gate area on Marshall and Meade Streets. Make sure you have all your gear in the labeled clear plastic bag. Tell the marines you are with the charity – Hope for Warriors. Plan on allowing plenty of time to go through this checkpoint, as I remember last year it took almost 45 minutes. Family and friends can access here too, just remember the Marines will be checking all bags.
If the Marines ask, tell them you are part of Hope for Warriors.
TRAVEL AND LOGISTICS:
Race day arrival travel and logistics are going to be CHALLENING! Check out the MCM site to be in the know:
http://www.marinemarathon.com/events/marathon/travel
The Metro WILL open at 6 a.m. on Marathon Day. The two closest Metro stations to the start are the Pentagon station (blue/yellow) or Rosslyn (orange/blue/silver). Arlington Cemetery Station will be closed on Marathon morning. The station opens up at 8:30 a.m. I usually metro to Rosslyn and walk over, but you can access the Charity Village either way.
RACE DAY SCHEDULE (FROM THE MCM WEBSITE)
The MCM will begin at 7:40 a.m. for the wheelchair and hand cycle participants; 7:55 a.m. for all others; and remains open until 8:55 a.m. It is recommended that runners arrive two hours prior to their start time to proceed through the security checkpoint, drop off bags and line up in the appropriate corral. The start line is located on Route 110 (all lanes) between the Pentagon and Arlington Memorial Drive.
ENJOY The MARATHON!!!
