Marine Corps Marathon set for Iraq in October
The Marine Corps Marathon is coming to Iraq this October with parallel races scheduled for Arlington, Va., and Anbar province, Iraq, organizers said.
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Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, August 10, 2006
The Marine Corps Marathon (Forward) will be held at the U.S. base at Al Asad, said Marine Corps spokeswoman Megan McClung.
“For security reasons specific measures for force protection will not be delineated,” said McClung in a Tuesday e-mail to Stars and Stripes.
Between 150 and 300 servicemembers are expected to brave the 80-degree heat to run the 26.2-mile course in Iraq, said Marine Corps Marathon spokeswoman Elizabeth Cline.
“More than 22,000 Marines are deployed to the area of operations, and even more from other branches,” said Marine Corps Marathon Director Rick Nealis in a news release. “Even during lengthy and sometimes stressful deployments, they continue to embody the values of physical excellence and fitness. The MCM Forward offers them a training goal at no cost to the individual runner, to keep motivated while proudly serving our country far from home.”
For more information, deployed Marines should go to their Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities or contact Maj. McClung at: megan.mcclung@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil.