The 40th Anniversary of the Marine Corps Marathon (my goal race this fall) is quickly approaching and I thought I’d share some tips on how best to spectate the marathon and support your runners. Yes, some of this is self serving – I’ll be sending it along to my husband but I would’ve LOVED to have this info last year when I ended up probably running close to ten miles on race day (granted six of those miles were where I was actually running, but still). I’ve gathered tips that I learned last year plus a couple tips from friends who’ve either spectated or run the race. I hope you all find this helpful!
Tips on how to spectate the Marine Corps Marathon:
- Metro is your friend. Last year, I ran all over the city (literally) trying to get from point to point, when I just should’ve used the Metro. While the Metro isn’t perfect, it is probably your (and your spectator’s) best bet to getting around the city on race day. Parking and driving will be quite hectic and it will probably be much easier for most folks to Metro to get to and from the race.
- Make sure you have enough money on your fare card/Smart Trip card for the round trip. The Metro stations downtown will be crowded and will have long lines, especially at the fare machines. – from Kathryn at From Dancing to Running.
- Tracking your runner. There is an official MCM app that can be downloaded on the website but sometimes those trackers don’t work well. If you have an iphone I recommend downloading the Find Friends app (it’s free) so then you can easily track where exactly your runner is. At the very least, write down your runners’ bib numbers so that if the app doesn’t work, you can just go to the website and attempt to track them by typing in their bib number.
- Planning to jump in and run with someone? (note: the race prohibits this so if you do so and get caught, don’t blame me!) I learned firsthand last year that it is possible to run with someone – but you have to be smart about when you try this. You will not be allowed to jump in anywhere near the 14th Street Bridge. Last year I watched police officers pull people without bibs off the course along the bridge. The race has excellent security and that’s a good thing. Just be aware if you are going to try and run a few miles with your runner.
- Managing the finish line. I don’t recommend trying to be at the finish line unless you are really only going to the finish line. It is extremely crowded and difficult to find folks.
- Settle on a specific meeting spot post race, it WILL be crowded and runners are diverted to the finish line area past Iwo Jima which is completely fenced in and it’s a long walk for them to get there. – from Mar at Mar on the Run.
- Consider walking up the hill to the Courthouse metro station to avoid the crowds. – from Sue at This Mama Runs for Cupcakes.
- The gear. Race spectating is hard work! Dress appropriately with sneakers, comfortable clothes and bring water and snacks (I’m not joking). If you are going to be out there all day, you’ll need to keep yourself hydrated and fed. For good measure, carry a snack that your runner might want so you can offer it to them. Also, carry aspirin, bandaids, etc – just in case. Your runner will thank you.
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The Marathon website has some great spectator tips that you can find here, along with maps of the race. Thank you so much to all of you who volunteer and spectate at races. I absolutely LOVE spectating races and when I’m running races, I SO appreciate spectators that come out!
edited to add: This PDF map is easily printable and also has all the Metro stops listed. I’ll be giving this to my husband and parents and think it’s SUPER helpful compared to the map on the website that isn’t easily printable.
What are your tips for spectating the Marine Corps Marathon?
Great tips Courtney! I have a bunch of friends that are running MCM so I’ll have to pass this along to their loved ones!
Hollie recently posted…Training: 16X400s and 5ks…
Thanks Hollie – I hope they find it helpful!
These are all great tips! The Find your Friends app is genius. We used that for Ragnar, I can’t believe I didn’t think to use it for this!
Yeah, it’s good to not have to rely solely on the tracking!
These are great tips! I may try to get into this race next year, so I’m bookmarking this. Good luck on the rest of your taper…it’s almost show time!
Jess @ Jess Runs ATL recently posted…Richmond Marathon Training – Week 10
Thanks!! I’m just about ready for marathon number 6 🙂
Good list! I loved spectating last year and I wrote a post about it that I need to dig up to send to my family who will be watching me this year! We brought small string backpacks (you know the ones you get at every race expo?!) with snack, drinks and our cowbells. In terms of attire, make sure your runner knows the color of your outer layer and dress in bright colors if possible. I wore an orange jacket last year and mom said it was easy to spot me. Meanwhile the guys were in navy jackets… 🙂
Christine @ We Run Disney recently posted…Friday Five: My marathon motivators!
Oh good tip about the wearing bright clothing!! Super smart!
can’t wait to spectate this year! after my 10k run 🙂 great tips!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Milwaukee Half Training Weeks 5 & 6
i am SO excited to have you out there. gonna be awesome!!!!
Great tips! I really enjoyed spectating at this one last year but had a hard time finding the runner we were looking for. I could really have used that iphone app, but at least now I know for the future 🙂
Chaitali recently posted…Wine and Dine Half Marathon training – week 14
yes, the tracking was all jacked up when i was spectating last year so the app will be super helpful!
Having run this race twice and acted as a spectator twice one of the best tips I can give is to get yourself to the mall! My parents, brother, and grandma came down in 2010 to cheer. It was fantastic because that was my first marathon. My dad and brother are extremely mobile people and they were able to see me 6 times on the course. My mom and grandma are not fast walkers so they hung out by the mall and were able to sit down, but see me twice on the mall. I think this was pre-runner tracking apps so they had to do the somewhat old fashioned bit where my dad called them when I was getting close to them so they could get off a bench and see me. It was really great.
If anyone local runners want to cheer then I’d recommend them to head out to Hains Point because that is one of the areas where crowd support is slim.
Besides PR’ing in my first marathon (still a source of disappointment) my favorite memory of the day was getting to the Rosslyn metro station after the race and my grandma was showing a little boy how to use his daily metro card. My grandma had NEVER taken the metro before and when I gave my family a quick tutorial the day before how to use their cards my grandma made sure to pay attention. So sweet!
Quick butt! My best friend is running MCM for the third time this year and if I can sneak away from my house for a few hours I hope to come down and cheer at the mall again.
Heidi recently posted…Sterling Robert’s Birth Story
Thanks – excellent tips! I’m going to be sending my family to the mall, actually. Because you’re right – it’s a good spot to be able to see your runner more than once! And PLEASE let me know if you come cheer! That’d be awesome 🙂
Spectating any major race in DC is always a blast, but there’s just something about MCM. I loved volunteering at MCM last year, and I’m so bummed that we have childbirth class the weekend of MCM, or else you know I’d be out there cheering you and everybody else on. Thank goodness I can cheer you all on virtually.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon Training Log – Week 5
That is a very important reason to miss the race 🙂 I take any and all cheers (virtual or in person) 🙂
This is such a great post, Courtney! I love all of the tips; of course, if I ever run this race it will likely be with y’all so I”ll be in good shape – ha! I will certainly pass this along; so looking forward to your race and I know you’re ready!!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…#3B26 Marathon Training – Week 3
hahaha yes you need to come run a DC race with us!!!
One of the signs I saw multiple times yesterday at Chicago was “If Donald Trump can run this far, so can you!” That made me laugh…
These are great tips that could be modified to any big race!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…The Chicago Marathon: it’s a spectacle!
These are great tips! I also love that you remind people to wear appropriate shoes. It’s so important, trying to walk around all day in uncomfortable shoes is not smart!
Great tips! I especially love the idea of using the Find Friends app – I never considered that one before!
Victoria @ Ice Packs + Races recently posted…Weekend Wrap-Up: Farmer’s Market, Pizza, and a 10K
these are great tips!
This is so helpful. I will be spectating this year and love all these tips. Hopefully I will see you along the course and can give you a big cheer!
Very great tips Courtney! Wish I had this a few years back when I took my parents out there when I ran it:)
I definitely agree all, but especially the one on don’t bother coming to the finish line. OMG it was so crowded when I ran it, and the lines to get back on the subway were insane, I think I waited almost 2 hours. When you add in all the runners, and then their family that area just gets insane and those streets up above just too crowded for everyone. I didn’t even have my parents come to the finish when I did it. I just told them to go sightseeing hit up any open museums and I would catch them later that afternoon when I made it back:) (It was the year of the hurricane so everything was getting ready to shut down, and when you’re from out of town, I figured they can see me run anytime, but the sights of DC were better for them to view than me that day, LOL
haha, yeah your strategy totally makes sense! 🙂
Great tips!!
I hope to be out there spectating this year!
Oh that would be awesome!!!!
Duly noted ;-).
Hopefully your friendly neighborhood Oiselle Cowbellers will be able to cheer you on from multiple vantage points!!
can NOT wait!
Great and very timely tips, Courtney!
Glympse is also a great app for following friends. I used it at Ragnar on my final leg and it’s how one of my Cruiser friends found me so he could run with me for about six miles. It was also very helpful for my team in predicting when I’d finish so they could run with me the last few hundred yards to the finish line.
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