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Military-only Marine marathon registration begins

The spring running season is only just beginning, as runners kick the treadmill to the curb and start logging some serious road miles. But if your goal is to be ready for the Marine Corps Marathon this fall, you need to be more than ready — you need to be registered.

And that’s easier said than done.

Open registration begins May 9 and spots usually fill up fast. Fortunately, active-duty and reserve military members get first dibs on a space at the starting line for the 32nd running of “the people’s marathon” Oct. 28 in Washington, D.C.

This year, the online entry fee has been reduced to $80, marathon officials announced March 27, a 10 percent decrease from the 2006 price. Registration includes all race materials, a free subscription to the marathon’s virtual training program, a $10 discount on a marathon pasta mess tent ticket, bib, T-shirt and single-use souvenir commemorative timing chip.

Troops can visit the Marine Corps Marathon’s official Web site to download an early entry form. That form, along with a photocopy of your military ID card and the $75 entry fee, must be sent to the Marine Corps Marathon office.

Entries may be mailed to: Marine Corps Marathon, Attn: Military Registration, P.O. Box 188, Quantico, VA 22134. You also can fax your entry to (703) 784-2265. Fax entries must be received by April 30; mailed entries must be postmarked by that date.

Those who register will receive e-mail confirmation of receipt and registration status. Runners should make note of the confirmation number in that e-mail; the number is used to obtain the “confirmation e-card” online required for race packet pick-up. This year, packet pick-up is scheduled for Oct. 25-27 at the D.C. Armory.

Non-military marathoners in the D.C. area also have a shot at early registration; 1,000 guaranteed entries will be available at the Marine Corps Marathon Registration Rally later this spring. The rally will be held May 8 at the Pentagon Row shopping center in Arlington, Va., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Once you have a spot at the starting line locked in, it’s time to start training. Runners new to marathon training should visit the Marine Corps Marathon’s virtual training program, featuring 26-week training plans by Jeff Galloway, a former sailor, U.S. Olympian and well-known running coach. While you’re there, grab a marathon pace chart to save you the trouble of doing math on the run.

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32nd Marine Corps Marathon