Medals coming!

Results | Guestbook | Pictures | Stories | Media | Shirts

Unofficial DC Marathon a Terrific Success!

Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers, sponsors, and runners that made our "people's marathon" an overwhelming success! A special thanks to Bob and Therese, who's hard work and persistence paid off tremendously!

If you'd like to leave a comment, please post one on our guestbook.

Result times are in! Click here to visit RacePacket.com's official finishing times for the Unofficial DC Marathon.

T-shirts are still available!

• The "I ran 26.2 miles without H2O" can be ordered from Myriah by emailing her at MJordan@eda.doc.gov
• The "Can't blow up what you can't catch" t-shirts can be ordered by clicking here.

MORE photos coming...almost every runner should be up here soon! Thanks to our defacto cameramen for their clicking! Keep checking back here for updates.

Interested in purchasing a personalized commemorative item from the 2003 Unofficial Washington DC Marathon? Check out Crossing the Line, the original maker for the "official" DC Marathon.

NEW!! Get a great massage at a special discounted price!
Bring in your running certificate and receive $10 off from the professional massage therapists at HEALthy Self Wellness Center - Massage Therapy (AMTA Member). Ask for Tom Scott.

DC Area Runners Make Extraordinary Progress This Afternoon in Organizing The Unofficial Washington DC Marathon (PDF)

WASHINGTON – March 21, 2003 (6:30PM EST)– DC area runners have united and made extraordinary progress this afternoon in organizing The Unofficial Washington DC Marathon on Sunday March 23, 2003 at 7:30 a.m. Area running clubs, local businesses, marathon sponsors and dedicated runners have turned this grass roots campaign into a national movement. Articles appeared today in the Washington Post, Washington Times and DC-area broadcast outlets. Organizers are receiving hundreds of e-mails, phone calls and press inquiries in support of this initiative.

Based on the overwhelming response, organizers expect hundred, if not thousands, of runners to participate Sunday morning. The outreach effort will continue this evening and throughout the day tomorrow. In addition to getting the word out to runners, organizers are coordinating a massive volunteer drive. To volunteer, or learn more about The Unofficial Washington DC Marathon, visit www.picnet.net/runforamerica

Registration is free. Participants will sign a standard release form and wear a bib number. Although the course will be marked, course maps will be available at the starting line. Participants will follow the same 26.2-mile course as the previously-scheduled Washington DC Marathon. At the finish line at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, finishers will receive times and certificates.
By participating in The Unofficial Washington DC Marathon, runners will show that even in times of war, community events can take place safely.

###

March 21, 2003

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
For more information contact Therese Cluck (703-307-0123,
runforamerica2003@yahoo.com)

The Unofficial Washington DC Marathon, Sunday, March 23

The Unofficial Washington DC Marathon will be held on Sunday morning,
March 23, at 7:30 am, from Memorial Bridge, covering 26.2 miles around the city, finishing at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, organized by local
running groups and many runners registered in the previously-scheduled
Washington DC Marathon.

Runners registered for the "official" Washington DC Marathon were shocked to learn that it was canceled Wednesday night "due to security issues." Nearly 7,000 runners were signed up to participate, and there are many runners who would still like to run.

Hundreds of runners will instead run The Unofficial Washington DC Marathon. Runners will meet at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday at the DC end of the Memorial Bridge. Registration is free. Participants will sign a standard release form and wear a bib number. Course maps will be available at the starting line. The Unofficial Marathon will start at 7:30 a.m. Participants will follow the same 26.2-mile course as the previously-scheduled Washington DC Marathon. At the finish line at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue, finishers will receive times and certificates. One the course, runners will need to use sidewalks and obey traffic laws. The course will not be closed to traffic. Many volunteers will assist along the course, but more volunteers are needed. Volunteers will need to be at Memorial Bridge at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday. Contact Therese Cluck at 703-307-0123 or e-mail runforamerica2003@yahoo.com

A marathon in the District of Columbia brings together runners and supportive friends, family, and other community spectators. This great mix of people provides tourism benefits to the city. Some of these benefits are economic, helping restaurants and hotels. Others benefits help sustain the community itself. By hosting a marathon, DC shows it is a friendly place for tourists and other residents of the region. The marathon course shows that the DC neighborhoods are welcoming to runners, and that people can go to places in the city other than the most famous national monuments.

Conducting a marathon despite the official cancellation show that DC is not a scary place. Though cancellation conveys a message of concern for the runners and the community, it sends a message to participants and citizens throughout our country and the world that our national capital is not a place where people can gather together. Cancellation says to DC residents that people from other cities are afraid to visit the place that DC residents call home. Nothing is further from the truth.

By participating in The Unofficial Washington DC Marathon, runners will show that even in times of war, community events can take place safely.

###

Runners Refuse to Allow Terrorists and Sadaam Control Their Lives

As runners and proud Americans, we refuse to allow terrorists control our lives. Instead, we plan to run the DC Marathon, as intended.

We have trained for months on end. Our families and loved ones have supported our efforts. Some of us have travelled across the globe. We refuse to allow terrorists and Sadaam control our lives.

We are runners. We will run.

If you are interested in learning more, please continue to refer to this Web site for continued briefings. All are welcome to come out and support runners along the route. Please spread the word to all family and friends.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the Operation Run for America organizers at runforamerica2003@yahoo.com.

Sponsored by:

Tech solutions for non-profits.