The Marine Corps Marathon is in jeopardy of cancellation if the government shutdown is not resolved this week, marathon director Rick Nealis confirmed.
MCM targeted Saturday as the date to notify runners of the status of the event, reads a letter from Nealis to runners and partners.
"It is sincerely the hope of everyone associated with the organization that MCM participants can run as planned," Nealis wrote.
The "People's Marathon," as the race is nicknamed, has the maximum 30,000 runners signed up. It sold out in a record 2 hours, 27 minutes in March.
The 26.2-mile course passes the Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials as well as the Pentagon. Those memorials are closed due to the government shutdown, and preparations for the marathon have continued with hopes of a resolution in time to hold the event without impact, though some partner agencies on furlough have not been able to contribute to those preparations.
Events planned around the marathon include the Healthy Kids Fun Run on Oct. 26. There's also a 10K race in which runners parallel the marathoners for part of the course.
For complete information on the 2013, Marine Corps Marathon, visit the marathon's web site.
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Changes/Cancellation for Best Buddies Challenge
The shutdown also means changes to the 2013 Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Washington, D.C.
- Due to permitting issues, the 100-mile ride has been canceled. All participants that were registered for the 100-mile ride have been switched to the 100K (62-mile) ride, which will go off as originally planned, departing from Poolesville Golf Course in Poolesville, Md., at 9 a.m. (click here for a map).
- The 20-mile ride has been relocated to Audi of America. Best Buddies is working on permitting the new route and will provide full details later.
- The 5K run/walk and student fun run have been relocated from the Mall and will start and finish at Morven Park, in Leesburg, Va., the original site of the Victory Celebration and Concert.
NBC4 Washington is a broadcast sponsor of both the Marine Corps Marathon and this Best Buddies Challenge.
