Marine Corps Marathon got people talking when they advertised the fact they were making a big announcement earlier today, rather than simply rolling out the announcement straight up.
Rather than summarize it, here's the link to the article itself on MCM's website.
One thing I am VERY happy about: no non-participants are allowed in the pre-race Runner's Village nor at the starting corrals. And if I've read it correctly, it sounds like there won't be non-runners cramming around the exit of the post-race finish chute to the Finisher's Village. That will be a godsend, if true. It's always torturous trying to get out.
However, the biggest aggravation for me and hundreds or thousands of other runners, is the fact that we are ALL required to get to the pre-race Runner's Village by way of walking up from the Pentagon Metro station. They will not be allowing runners without War Memorial credentials to go through the entrance from the Rosslyn side. (While they don't define how people can get War Memorial credentials in the announcement, I suspect that in addition to Marines, officials, and other volunteers working the race in that vicinity, anyone who would be in the Charity Village (typically positioned right by the finish line) will be issued the credentials. So, if you are a Charity Bib runner, contact MCMO and your charity to verify if that's accurate.)
Ever since I first found out about the entrance by the Vietnam War Memorial, I've used it. Parking just outside the Finisher's Village and walking through Rosslyn and this entrance is a decent warm-up and SO underused -- it's nice, easy, and fast. Cramming yet more people into the crowd coming up through Pentagon? That's going to be immensely annoying. At least they announced it with plenty of lead time, though, so it's not a surprise on race day. Especially since I'm pacing yet again.
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