It's not always about doing a good time; it's about having a good time

Race report & photo gallery: Marine Corps Marathon 2011

Click the 'Gallery' button above to the view photos.

I've wanted to run the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) in Washington DC for many years and finally my opportunity came this year. The race information and communication upfront was very comprehensive and impressive - probably one of the best I have ever known. Videos, online slide shows, downloads, FAQ's were all very comprehensive and all very impressive. My comparisons of larger marathons are with London, New York and Chicago. At the point of arriving for the race, MCM was ahead of the others.

MCM is known as the People's Marathon. There are no elite athletes, no appearance fees and no large prize purse so the organisers can solely focus on the mass field. This isn’t to say the others don’t look after the athletes but you do see a lot of attention to detail.

Registration was efficient, the expo was smaller than London or New York but still had a lot to offer for some last minute browsing or shopping but once done we left to go a rest a little more. On the Saturday morning, we had planned a gentle jog to incorporate some sightseeing - The White House, Vietnam Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. However, the cold front that was bringing inseasonal snow to much of the East Coast had brought wind, cold temperatures and sleet to the nation's capital. Our run was a little challenging to say the least as we tried to avoid large cold puddles, slippery mud verges and exposed areas where the wind cut through our clothing. We huddled for pictures by the White House, passed silently through the moving Vietnam Memorial and gaped in awe under the Lincoln Memorial. The Americans really do their monuments in style!

Thoughts that race day may turn out like the Saturday were slightly worrying but our fears were allayed the next morning. A cloudless sky with cold temperatures and bright sunshine greeted us as we emerged from the metro by the Pentagon. Many many marshals were there to help and as we approached the start I left my friend Dom and went to start queuing for the 'portajohn' as they say in those parts. As I heard the strains of the Star Spangled Banner in the distance, I knew I was a little behind schedule and after attending to the business in hand I rushed over to the baggage trucks, dumped my bag and jogged to the start.

I had an outside thought of seeing how I felt and maybe aiming to get sub 4.15 or even sub 4 but knew this would be a stretch. As I heard the gun (or to be more precise the enourmous cannon) go off, I weaved my way through the back markers at the start to get to the correct start pen. As everyone was moving forward, I pulled out my camera for the first picture of the day. As you will see in the gallery above it was to be the first of many and finally I ran under the start arch with 7 minutes already on the clock. I was then confronted with a line of Marines with flags from every country represented in MCM so stopped for a picture next to the Union Jack which neatly matched my BUFF. So far, MCM was ahead of New York and on a par with London for the organisation and ease for getting to the start line.

The first 2.5 miles are mostly uphill. I ran passed someone wearing a 1978 Hawaii Ironman finisher shirt - he was one of the original finishers! Lots of crowds were out despite the chill and the autumn colours running through the residential neighbourhoods were beautiful. After a short period of downhill, even with the faster pace I knew the race would not be a fast one so I decided that I would repeat my 1997 London Marathon and make it a photo tour of the day.

Aid stations came every couple of miles and were staffed by lines of Marines all standing to attention. There were many shouts between them and the runners of 'OORAH' which I found out to be the Marine call. Whenever I took a drink (Gatorade and water were available) and said thanks, it was usually responded to with a Marine style shout of "thank YOU sir for running" or the like. I was the only person I saw who had my name on their top so the while was round I was getting a lot of name based encouragement. After another uphill at mile 7 and the subsequent downhill, I knew that the undulations had mostly passed and could settle down to a steady pace. Other than my photo stops, I wanted to run the whole way. I loved every minute of the race, the atmosphere and my knowledge that it was a sightseeing day for me just added to the fun. I couldn’t stop smiling.

At about 10 miles we returned to the 'Mall' (pronounced Maul in local speak) which contains the main monuments and tourist sights. Unfortunately due to renovations, we didn't run in front of the Lincoln memorial, but next to it. At this point, the crowds were at their thickest. I would guess there weren’t as many as New York or London but the ones that were there didn't lack any enthusiasm or volume.

More miles and more memorials (Jefferson memorial was particularly impressive) passing half way in about 2.08. I felt fine, I wasn't likely to go any quicker and the crowds were getting bigger. Past the Washington Monument I got more photos and then on towards the Capitol Building after 18 miles. My 'Mike' inscription on the tshirt was still garnering many shouts of encouragement and I was still having a great time although getting a little tired. Just before mile 20, I saw my friends Paul, Sarah & Helen who had all run the 10K that morning - they were also looking out for my friend Dom but at this point he was way ahead of me on his way to a 3.41 PB.

As we passed the 'Beat The Bridge' cutoff point, I only had another 10K still to go. We had now crossed the Potomac River (just by where the 1982 plane crash happened) and over towards the Pentagon. The route turns southwards for an out and back loop where I saw an enthusiastic unofficial drinks station - grabbing a small cup I went to drink it and realised it was beer. No matter how good a day I was having this may have been a step too far!

By the time the route ran past the Pentagon we were within a couple of miles of the finish. The route becomes a little quieter and then you pass the start line where the crowds increase. A short but steep hill leads you towards the finish and past a huge crowd on the bleachers. The commentator shouted my name and I plodded over the finish line recording a time of 4 hours, 38 minutes and 15 seconds. My 13th quickest marathon out of a now tally of 22.

The finish line was so congested it took a while to get through but we were presented with our stunning medals by a Marine Captain with the words "Congratulations Sir, thank you for running the Marine Corps Marathon". I had my pictures taken in front of the evocative Iwo Jima memorial and shuffled off to get my bag and meet my friends.

MCM is a spectacular event. The crowds are great, the event is well organised (apart from a slight hiccup at the finish) and the course is very interesting. If you are thinking of a marathon trip - put this on your list!

Remember, it's not always about doing a good time; it's about having a good time.

Enjoy the photos!

Click here to find out more about the Marine Corps Marathon

Men's results

Women's results

Click here for full results

About Mike: Mike Clyne was part of the adidas team at the 2011 Virgin London Marathon.

Inspired into running by the first London Marathon in 1981 Mike then trained for and completed a local 10 mile fun run in October 1982, his first half marathon in 1983 and then his first marathon (Abingdon) in May 1983, aged 16. He continued running and did his first London marathon in April 1985, in the days when the Isle of Dogs was very different and the finish was on Westminster Bridge.

To date Mike has completed 10 Ironmans (including a PB at Ironman Regensburg in August), 12 Half Ironmans, 22 Marathons (of which 12 are Londons) and many half marathons. Mike was a London Pacer for 11 min mile group in 2007 and 2009.

Click here for more articles from Mike