15 October, 2010
The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) will celebrate the military roots of long distance running while showcasing the Marathon Flame from the Municipality of Marathon, Greece, during a ceremony in Boston on Thursday, Oct. 21.
The ceremony will be at 2 p.m. adjacent to the USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard. The public is invited to attend to join the MCM and U.S. Navy crew in celebrating the services’ maritime heritage on the 213th birthday of the ship.
The Boston Ceremony is part of the MCM Battle of Marathon Tour to celebrate the origins of long distance running. The MCM shares its 35-year anniversary with the 2,500th marking of the Battle of Marathon and the legendary run by Pheidippides. Certifying this union, a perpetual flame that rests at the memorial for those soldiers lost in the Battle of Marathon will be shared with the MCM.
U.S. Marines, the crew of the USS Constitution and the Marines of 1812 will attend the ceremony that will include the Marathon Flame. Historically, the Marines of 1812 performed shipboard security, held shipboard training and conducted morning and evening colors aboard the USS Constitution.
Following the afternoon ceremony, the MCM staff will carry the Marathon Flame along other scheduled tour stops on Friday, Oct. 22 in New York and Philadelphia.
The MCM Battle of Marathon Tour is sponsored by Dasani, also a sponsor of the 35th MCM. “The People’s Marathon” will be held on Sunday, Oct. 31 with 30,000 participants from all 50 states and 54 countries and each of the U.S. armed services. The 35th MCM will be broadcast live on Comcast SportsNet beginning at 7 a.m. The marathon will start at 8 a.m.
