2007 USMC MARATHON 3:53

‘Ground Pounder’:
We started the marathon back in 1976. The first year, there was about a thousand of us out there. There’s now, what, twenty five thousand people out there.

Marine 1:
Personally, it really touches me and it really helps me keep serving because I know that all these people are behind us and that’s awesome.

Retired Marine 1:
Just, as a former Marine, it’s inspiring to come out here and run with the Marines.

Female 1:
The fans are really great. The Marine Corps Marathon is so beautiful with the scenery. It’s always on a pretty October day.

Marine 2:
It’s very moving because you see a monument to our first president who played such an instrumental role in the formation of our government. There’s some incredible people serving within the Marine Corps who I would not have met if I had not been a Marine and I’ve made many life long friends by joining the Marines.

Retired Marine 2:
It kind of prepares you to achieve anything. It’s the ultimate test of overcoming adversity.

Retired Marine 3:
I’m proud to have Marines around me. Their standards are high, they motivate and if you try to slack off, they’re there to boost your spirit.

Marine 3:
Everybody supports you as you come along so it’s definitely a good marathon to come run.

Female 2:
Everybody’s really so enthusiastic about supporting the runners and supporting the Marine Corps, especially these days with their folks overseas, everybody’s really extra happy to be here and show their support for our war heroes.

Female 3:
It’s hard to explain the way it makes you feel. It’s something about D.C. that’s special. Then when it’s connected to the Marine Corps, it’s just a special feeling.

Marine 4:
I know there’s an extraordinary sense of accomplishment when you get finished.

‘Ground Pounder’:
It is the people’s marathon. There’s no prize money so people come out here just with the goal of finishing it and having a good time.

Marine 5:
If you’re supporting the Marine Corps, you’re supporting America as a whole. It’s a very patriotic thing to do.


Female 4:
The Marines are just the best of the best. They do it all right. If there was any race I was going to participate in, it would be this one.

Female 5:
It makes you feel very patriotic.

Runner:
There are a lot of motivating Marines out there. Compared to a lot of other marathons I’ve done—it just doesn’t even compare actually.

Marine 2:
I was brought up wanting to be able to give something back to the country. By being a Marine I am able to give something back. I enjoy being a Marine because of the history and I’m very thankful that I have had this opportunity