For Immediate Release

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Arlington Hosts 31st Marine Corps Marathon – Sunday, Oct. 29

Festivities, transportation, road closures, and more

ARLINGTON, VA – Arlington, home of the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), will host nearly 34,000 runners and more than 120,000 spectators for this Sunday’s race and related festivities.  Starting and finishing at Iwo Jima, the Marine Corps War Memorial, the 26.2-mile race draws cheering crowds to street parties in Rosslyn and Crystal City, and along its route through nine miles of Arlington neighborhoods. Known as “the People’s Marathon,” the MCM is the fifth largest U.S. marathon and eighth largest in the world.

County, Marine Corps Develop Sponsorship Agreement

Although Arlington has always supported the MCM with race-day police, fire and emergency medical services, 2006 marks a new milestone for the County’s involvement.  In 2006, Arlington officials worked closely with Marine Corps Marathon organizers to develop a mutually beneficial sponsorship agreement aimed at maximizing the race’s economic impact for the County.  According to a 2005 study, the MCM results in a more than $10 million boost in the County’s economy in just a few short days, and raises nearly $5 million for charities each year, many of which are local.

New Efforts for Charity, Recycling

In addition to outlining joint marketing opportunities and in-kind services for Arlington and the MCM, the partnership agreement has sparked new collaborative efforts in areas including charitable food donations and recycling.  This year, Arlington worked with the MCM to arrange for pickup of leftover perishable food from the hospitality area by the Residential Program Center (RPC).  Operated by the non-profit Volunteers of America, the RPC is the only year-round homeless shelter for men and women in Arlington that offers detoxification and substance-abuse recovery under one roof.

Also for the first time , the County will collect recyclable materials at the four runners’ water stations in Arlington and at the Rosslyn Finish Festival.  As a result, more than 72,000 plastic bottles, nearly 11,000 plastic jugs, and 2,000 cardboard boxes will be recycled instead of thrown away. That’s enough bottles and jugs to reach the 11-mile marker in the marathon!  

Race-Day Events in Arlington

Marine Corps Marathon Opening Ceremonies begin at 7:25 a.m. at the Route 110 Start line in Rosslyn, and are followed by the Wheelchair and Handcycle Start at 8:15 a.m.; the Scarlet Wave Start at 8:25 a.m.; the Gold Wave Start at 8:40 a.m., and the start of the new MCM 10K at 9 a.m.  At approximately 9:30, Arlington County Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman will be at the finish line to greet the 10K male winner. 

The Marine Corps Marathon Finish Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Meade and Lynn Streets in the heart of Rosslyn. The MCM and the Rosslyn Business Improvement District will offer post-race fun for runners and spectators along a quarter-mile stretch of road just off the Marine Corps War Memorial grounds. Post-race services located in the Finish Festival include Family Link Up, Info Tent, Massage Tent, Baggage Pick-Up and Shuttle service. The new finish festival will also feature a number of special events and entertainers, as well as a Restaurant Row that includes several Rosslyn eateries.

At the Crystal City Street Spectacular, held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Crystal Drive, spectators can see their runners twice – at mile 22 as they enter the Street Spectacular and mile 23 on their way out. The Street Spectacular will combine live music, restaurant tastings, and family-friendly activities including a rock wall, moon bounce, arts and crafts, and more.  There will be free parking at 23rd Street and Crystal Drive with shuttles to and from Runner’s Village in the morning and the MCM Finish Festival all day. 

Visit the Marine Corps Marathon Web site for more information and detailed schedules of Marine Corps Marathon activities.

Transportation
To view the MCM start, finish and Finish Festival, spectators can use Metro’s Blue or Orange line to the Rosslyn station (Blue/Orange) or Metro’s Blue line to the Arlington Cemetery (Blue) station.  Visitors to the Crystal City Street Spectacular should use the Crystal City station (Blue/Yellow).  For more tips, and to download the 31^st Marine Corps Marathon Spectator Guide click here.  

Road Closings/Transportation Updates
On October 29, many roads will be closed on the east side of the County (in Rosslyn, Pentagon, Pentagon City and Crystal City areas). Also, extra security measures will be in place. Residents and motorists can expect delays and should allow extra travel time in those areas. For detailed information and maps for Marathon day road closures in Arlington, click here, or see the abbreviated list below.

4:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- All of Route 110 will be closed in both directions.

4:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Eastbound Washington Blvd. will be closed from I-395 to Memorial Bridge.

4:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Route 50 exit to N. Meade/N. Lynn St. will be closed in both directions.
- Meade Street will be closed from Fairfax Drive to Marshall Drive.
- Lynn Street from Route 50 to Wilson Blvd. will be closed for the Finish Festival.

4:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
- Washington Blvd. Westbound will be closed.

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
- Wilson Blvd. will be closed from Route 110 to N. Lynn St.
- N. Lynn St. will be closed from Fairfax Dr. to Key Bridge.

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- Eastbound Lee Highway will be closed from N. Lynn St. to Kirkwood St.
- Westbound Lee Hwy from Scott to Kirkwood 0800 to 1100 (closed to through traffic; local traffic access via Scott to Veitch. Residents can can use Westbound Lee Highway to Spout Run and exit the area via the George Washington Parkway).
- Lorcom Lane will be closed from N. Edgewood St. to Spout Run Parkway.

8:00 a.m. - Noon
- Key Bridge will be closed in both directions.

8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Southbound I-395 HOV lanes will be closed from the 14th St. Bridge.

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- S. 12th St. will be closed from Crystal Dr. to S. Eads St.
- Columbia Pike will be closed from S. Joyce St. to Pentagon South Parking. (Vehicle access to the Pentagon will be via Boundary Channel Dr. only.)
- Crystal Dr. will be closed from S. 12th St. to S. 23rd St.

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- South Rotary Road from Fern Street to Route 27 will be closed.

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Army Navy Dr. will be closed from S. 12th St. to S. Fern St.

For more information on road closures in Arlington, please call the Arlington Police Department's special events hotline at 703-228-4147.

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.