Marine Corps Marathon Hits Georgetown

More than 20,000 runners crossed the start line of the 34th annual Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday morning, running a route that brought competitors within a few blocks of campus.

Runners started in Arlington, Va., but eventually crossed the Key Bridge into Georgetown from Rosslyn and took M Street to Wisconsin Avenue. Spectators were able to stand on the Key Bridge or on M Street to watch and cheer for the runners.

Some runners ran to benefit charities. Charity partners this year included St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Grassroot Hoyas.

“Grassroot Hoyas is a social justice organization whose mission is to use sports as a platform to combat the severe HIV/AIDS epidemic in Washington, D.C.,” said Tyler Spencer (GRD ’09), director of The Grassroot Project, the parent organization of Grassroot Hoyas. “It was founded and managed by a group of varsity athletes last January, and it uses a games-based curriculum to educate youth, focusing on opening up dialogue and inspiring action about the serious social issues related to AIDS.”

Spencer said more than 80 Georgetown students are currently involved, and they have been able to reach over 300 at-risk youths through their work. Grassroot Hoyas has been supported by a Georgetown alumnus, Ed Keels (COL ’06), and his company Loose Leaf Concepts.

Of the Grassroot Hoyas participants, Megan Dunn (COL’ 11), Emma Porteus (COL ’10) and Kelvin Hill (MSB ’10) earned times that qualified them for the Boston Marathon in April.

Runners were supported along the course by 12 water points, three food stations and numerous aid and medical stations for injured or ill runners. Racecourse entertainment included seven high school bands and more than 20 other performances along the route. The Georgetown University Pep Band cheered runners on at the fifth mile and again at miles 8 and 9 on Canal Road.

“Despite the early wake-up call, there was no shortage of pep from band members as we cheered participants past the ‘Hoya Saxa’ sign on Canal Road,” Pep Band President Taylor Johnston (COL ’10) said. “There was a great energy surrounding the whole event. Runners slowed to take pictures, joined in on favorites such as ‘Hey Baby’ and even chimed in during the fight song.”

Spectators were also able to access runners’ split times at the event’s Web site, or sign up for text message, e-mail or pager alerts at the start, finish,and every 5-kilometer interval along the race.

This year, the Marine Corps Marathon worked to be more environmentally friendly, striving to produce less than one pound of landfill waste for each runner to participate in the event. Runners were encouraged to recycle water bottles, cups and Heatsheet blankets.

John Mentzer, 33, from Kittery, Maine, won in the men’s field with a time of 2:21:47, and Muliye Gurmu, 25, of Ethiopia, won the women’s race in 2:49:48.