The Start of the Marathon
Photo: Courtesy of the Marine Corps Marathon
MARINE CORPS
MARATHON
THE PEOPLE’S MARATHON 2017
Thoughts that come to mind when mulling over the word marathon
are quite likely the following: Grueling physical challenge, brutal
pain, and mental anguish. Most Marines might be able to fi nd some
analogous thoughts when refl ecting on their training and work
exploits. Another connection is that the story of the marathon,
although perhaps lore and myth, evolved from a military story.
Legend has it that a Greek messenger named Pheidippides who
raced from the battlefi eld of the Persian Wars near Marathon to
Athens to announce a Greek victory. Before Pheidippides collapsed
and died, he uttered, “we have won!” The distance from this bloody
victory back to impatient Athenians, was approximately 25 miles.
Pierre de Coubertin, father of the modern Olympics, revived the
epically long race in 1896. It wasn’t until 1908 that the distance
of 26.2 was set in stone. The distance was set after the London
Olympics where the course was laid out between Windsor Castle
and White City Stadium, approximately 26 miles. However, the fi nish
line was set at the viewing box of the royal family which was another
385 yards, hence what spurred the tradition of yelling out “God Save
the Queen” during the fi nal mile.
FLYWASHINGTON.COM 54 AUTUMN 2017
BY LISA FRANCE
The origin of the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), organized by the
U.S. Marine Corps, is not mythological or complicated, but instead
a public gesture of goodwill founded by Marine Col. James L.
Fowler in 1976. The pitch to his superior Gen. Michael Ryan was not
only genuine, but well-considered. Given the tension between local
communities and Vietnam Veterans, Fowler thought a marathon
would be a valuable activity to bring divided people together. In
addition, he saw it as a recruiting tool and a way for local Marines
to qualify for the Boston Marathon. It worked! The fi rst MCM
marathon was, at the time, had the most number of participants in
American history.
The MCM has hosted many famous participants. Country singer,
Richie McDonald, actors, Drew Carey and Sean Astin, Vice President,
Al Gore and Oprah Winfrey have all completed the marathon.
Because the marathon does not give prize money away it has been
aff ectionately titled “The People’s Marathon.” Due to its popularity,
and that it is open to any level of runner from 14 years of age and
up, it is one of the largest marathons in the United States and
among the largest in the world. This year the lottery for the 30,000