Logistical support Page for MCM Stop Soldier Suicide Team for Marine Corps Marathon

Maggie, a runner on that team, takes full responsibility for the info posted here. 
Find additional Spectator Support (in the October entries here).

Suggested Photo Ops:

"Selfie with your Teammates"  Really just an excuse for a "Welcome" meet-up.

Friday:

• 2 pm at Expo:   Among others and all the shopping vendors, there's a place in the MCM Expo that supports a really colorful selfie See first picture below. Maggie hopes to be there after a little shopping at 2pm FRIDAY if anyone wants to meet there for a "welcome to DC hug."  Note that upstairs from expo are dining areas people might enjoy in the course of their Expo days. I realize this won't suit many people's timing, but I have a noon appointment, so can plan to be there then if anyone wants to do a quick connect. Advice: it's great to shop the vendors EARLY in the expo because I have seen them run out of certain sizes quite early at past Expos.
  
  

• 4:15 ish PM Statue of Iwo Jima/ aka the Marine Corps Memorial (link-- ain't it pretty?)  No later than 4:30, let's try a group photo for any  teammates who show up with option to peer around downhill to view the "last annoying hill" after mile 26 of MCM.  Context: The race course ENDS with a stretch from south traveling the eastern edge along Arlington National Cemetery and then up a hill, past the "Carillion" bell tower. It's so rewarding at the end, but that last hill kind of surprised me compared to everything mostly flat after Mile 2's hilly Arlington. (BTW, those hills in Arlington for Mile 1 and 2? You just have to get behind you and then it's all good.) 
  
  Think of the rest of the team on that hill on the very last 0.2 miles... and especially Steve with his flag, PUSHING YOU and giving you power!
  
  

I sense  with 50-50% confidence that the race organizers may possibly be rushing people away from the selfies they deserve to take just after the finish line in front of the iconic Iwo Jima Statue AKA Marine Corps Memorial on Race Day. So I'm taking my selfie IN MY WHITE T-SHIRT EARLY in front of that iconic statue and could meet others same time same place. 

Optional-- walk with Maggie to the area of the Runner's Village (shown on End of Race Runners' Village Map and see where the Rosslyn Metro station is AND where the "family meeting point" will be stationed if it can help out-of-towners wrap their head around the whole territory. Followed optionally by...

• 5:45 PM Option to join Maggie and others that show up at Pho 75 which is about a half mile from the finish line and only a few blocks West/uphill of the Rosslyn Metro which is on the Blue Line in Arlington. The meal is super healthy cheap pho  (basically, this is the chicken noodle soup that purifies and NUTRIFIES me, Vietnamese style and only as spicey or exotic as you make it yourself.  You get a great meal for $10 or less. The place does not have a bar and is CASH ONLY. ) Pho 75. Reviews, Menu and more.  Trip Advisor ranks it #10 of restaurants in Arlington.

Saturday: 

Lena's, of course!  See you there!  Link.  Braddock Road Metro on Yellow or Blue lines heading south.  Address: 401 East Braddock St, Alexandria, VA

Sunday before the Race:

This group photo op is a bit of a long shot and could probably work only for the Green Wave runners like Maggie... who could gather 6:45 to 6:55 but not later at the UPS truck that serves as "bag check" for bib #10,000.    I think all will have access to that UPS truck after you dump your own bag, but it's a guess based on past year's logistics. 

Frankly, I don't expect ANYONE to show up, but maybe a serious party pacer. Hell, it's something to do if you are killing time and want a high five and a hug before we go out and eat up the course individually. If she gets there, Maggie will be in BRIGHT NEON YELLOW SOCKS that her Ironman sister gives  her for good luck. (NOT a fashion statement.) HOWEER, if it's a rough transportation morning for Maggie, she'll bail and people should take the selfie goup shot without her or just concentrate on getting to the front of your wave group.

Anytime - on your own of under leadership of anyone who posts at WhatsApp:

National Mall is 2 miles long and a lot of people don't realize it's that big.   From the Mall, the Smithsonian Metro exit is closest to the Washington Monument, White House's BACK LAWN called the Elipse, but using the McPherson Square exit gets you to the iconic front of the White House by foot faster, I think.  GPS helps.  You want a photo by the BEAUTFUL Smithsonian Museum of African American History. Sout of it is the bend before the tidal basin that runners take AWAY from the national mall and toward the "Beat the Bridge" in their 20th mile. 

A little further East the L'Enfant Plaza Metro puts you closer to the Capitol Building which is a fantastic background to take photos.

While the Federal Government is shut down, some parks are closed, too, and the National Mall is considered a National Park. Follow National Parks updates here.

Public Toilet for midway along the National Mall is just EAST of the Washington Monument before crossing the street to the side with the National Museum of African American History.  Long lines? Bring your own tissue just in case, but they seem to always have it. Fill a water bottle at the tap.

Weather Updates (Ten Day Forecast for Washington, DC)

Metro and Bus Maps here  (screen shot or photo a Metro Map for use this weekend.)

• Getting to MCM by metro will dump you at Pentagon (closest) or Pentagon City (involves a little walk past many toilet groupings toward the UPS bib drop offand even MORE toilets in HUGE parking lot) 

• AI generates a lot of travel advice that can affect spectating, including the bridge and road closures around Arlington when you "google" with this phrase: what metro closures will there be for Marine Corps Marathon October 26

• Terminology:  NoVa = Northern Virginia  DMV = DC, Maryland, Virginia region.  Arlington is your finish line and has the neighborhoods of Crystal City  in the south (mile 22 on race course) and Rosslyn in the North (finish line.)

Race Morning Toilet Tips for the coffee-lovers like me and especially for the ladies: Yes, you can pee in the brush along the River before your race start in the dark if you don't like the pre-start lines at the toilets. It's pretty dark all the way up till the early start this year. Just sayin.'  Later, after Mile 6 the race course takes one out into much less crowded "nature" along Rock Creek Parkway, just with thousands of your new "best friends" flooding fast past you. So I felt like if I HAD to, I could take a little "nature walk" -like my IronWoman sis does. but I didn't. After Mile 6 I recall LONG lines for the first sets of toilets. I pushed along further and  found a med station with 1 toilet, no line where I went fast as lightning, and eventually I THINK more grouped toilets. So basically, I did find relief after Georgetown on Miles 6-9.    Back in civiliation, in 2023, there were toilets after Mile 17 by the Smithsonian buildings on the first/North side of the National Mall.  (And for the record while I'm makng friends here, I carry tissues and hand santizer just in case, so don't let me repel anyone.  I just have no filter.  And finally, ladies, it doesnt hurt to practice a "nature walk" murmering to yourself, "this is what the champs hae to do" at least once before race day. Doing so informed my choice of dress for the day.)

Which nights are you in DC and maybe what neighborhood/Metro stop?   For teammates volunteering that info. Who knows... the info could support meet-ups. I can record here if you report to the WhatsApp thread. But no pressure to respond!

• Thurday:   Maggie (W. Falls Church Metro)

• Friday:   Maggie (W. Falls Church Metro)  Sonny, Bick, Julie, Velda

• Sat:   Maggie (W. Falls Church Metro)

• Sun:   Maggie (W. Falls Church Metro)

• Mon:   Maggie  (W. Falls Church Metro)
  
  

Which Wave are you in for the race start (if it helps us anticipate photo ops?)  I'll record here if you report to the WhatsApp thread:

• Red:

• Gold: Aura

• Green:  Maggie, Olive who else?

Additional tips for your family of "Spectators"

If you or your awaiting spectator guest at the finish line walks about 4 blocks up the hill from Rosslyn Metro you can find:

• Pho 75 - view menu and options - eat the city's favorite pho (noodle soup with hearty broth) less than $9 or $10. No bar. CASH ONLY.  Reviews. It's hugely popular and they do not take reservations but the tables turn over fast.

• CVS and Target

• I will point out Upside on Moore which (upstairs from the Rosslyn Metro at 1700  Moore Street with a handy entrance on Wilson Blvd... enter and go up a half-flight of stairs.) It is a terrific food court with a bar that is "high end" in decor and not outrageously priced. Hours on race day will be 6AM-5PM. Wide selection of eateries to which you walk up to place your order in most cases, then grab seating elsewhere, including the outdoor terrace overlooking the area adjacent to but not quite in view of Runners' Village.  Boo! I am told that they will not honor "free beer if you show your race medal" which is something I've been able to accomplish at some places in the area.  I think you can convince bartenders,      "I was told it works like this:  I produce my race medal. If you cannot produce one, you give me a beer."  <--that might work on some of people around you who are customers... more than on the bartenders. I've only ever been able to try it ONCE ...but it worked!

• Inca Social (pricier with bar and a lot of space and some outdoor seating)

• Rhodeside Grill at 1836 Wilson Blvd.  Menu, etc. 

• Mexican food is at Guajillo  at 1727  Wilson Blvd - details - has some outdoor dining in a plaza with other eateries, a bakery...

• Mediterranean:  Simple Greek at 1731 Wilson Blvd.

• Other sites to take in around Rosslyn (the Arlington neighborhood just beyond the finish line.)

• Google and GPS "banh mi" to find Vietnamese footlong sandwiches that are DIVINE!!!!  My fave is BBQ Pork style.  You're welcome!

• Fun Fact: if you look across the street from Barley Mac (fancy bar with outdoor seating), that's the library I ran for a decade-- funky off-centered floors at 1601 Wilson Blvd. My library is on the second floor and you might be able to spot the books!

• Tips that could help spectators to plan their spectating can be pulled out of the OCTOBER ENTRIES of this page.  <-- page was developed for Maggie's alumni club's running group but might contain some info helpful to SSS Team.  

• A nice simple map of the National Mall in DC - The Mall runs about 2 miles from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol.  So sad that so much is closed due to the Federal Shut-down, but the beautiful buildings and outdoor landmarks might provide meet-up points  to use in your planning.
  
  

• Found this video and it speaks to  my nerves this week so I offer it to Beautiful  Olive and other first-marathoners. Slap my face and get me out there with you all! Dang, I love our tribe! --Maggie

DRIVING this weekend? 

• Admittedly,  most of my tips involved public transportation because I am a parking phobe and love our Metro. 

• But given that all the museums are closed, the parking lots might have more capacity than normal even with attendees to the MCM.

• If you came with a car full of kids, my best tip is to have them enjoy a meal at Columbia Island Marina (called Island Times with a horrible useless web presence and that's why it is AN UNDISCOVERED GEM.) That's one snack bar/restaurant/ bar for reasonable beer and a whole afternoon of calm for you. I think it closes around 6 each night but a mid-day meet-up with your support crew and local fans is like being at a park with picnic tables, a reasonably priced menu, a view of the 14th street bridge you'll be beating AND the Pentagon (you can almost touch it!)  If feels like you are at a yacht club "for regular folk like public school librarians."  It's DIRECTLY WATERFRONT so leash your toddlers or fish them out if they fall in. There are LBJ related trails to stroll. Ask at the counter how to take the tunnel behind to a beautiful walking trail along the river.  The tunnel to it is BEHIND the restaurant Island Times. Just walk the path that looks like it's going nowhere but is going to the river, ...then uphill. You're there at a GREAT running trail! 
  
  Go left (to practice the 14th street bridge that we beat for MCM.  Go right to find peace, trees, maybe even the spirit of my Psych pal Tricia getting AWESTRUCK by nature!)