The Marine Corps Marathon will be a virtual-only event this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We explored various approaches to safely execute a live event and held numerous meetings with Marine Corps leadership, local government and public health officials,” said Rick Nealis, director of the Marine Corps Marathon Organization (MCMO).
The race normally draws thousands of participants and spectators to the nation’s capital the last Sunday in October.
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According to the release, virtual MCM Weekend events including the MCM, MCM10K, MCM50K and the MCM Semper Fun Mile must be completed between Oct. 1 and Nov. 10, the Marine Corps Birthday.
All participants will receive a participant shirt, commemorative bib, patch and/or finisher medal. Runners will also have access to an online event program, personalized finisher certificate, the MCM Audio Experience and several new digital engagement platforms.
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Further instructions and a link to the registration change form will be sent this week to the e-mail address provided by participants during registration. The deadline for currently registered runners to take action on the change form is Aug. 5.
Runners currently in the live MCM or MCM50K category have the option to: Defer entry to a future year (2021, 2022 or 2023) of the runner’s choice at no additional fee. These runners will have a guaranteed virtual entry available for purchase for 24 hours following initiation of the deferment process. They can also request a full registration refund, including carbo dining tickets and bib mail out, if purchased.
Runners who already deferred to a future year and paid a deferment fee will receive an automatic refund of the $30 fee and have the option to: Remain deferred for 2021, 2022 or 2023; or request a full registration refund, including carbo dining tickets and bib mail out, if purchased.
Runners who previously transferred directly from the live to the virtual event have the option to: Request a partial refund of the registration fee minus the $45 virtual entry fee; or may cancel registration and request a full registration refund, including carbo dining tickets and bib mail out, if purchased.
Virtual event registration is open to the public. Entry fees are $45 for the MCM and MCM50K; $33 for the MCM10K; and $20 for the Semper Fun Mile.
Registration fee refunds will be processed beginning Aug. 6, and may take between four to six weeks. Processing fees will not be refunded, according to the release.
In addition to marking its 45th anniversary, this year’s MCM commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima by featuring actual volcanic ash collected at that site within the event medal.