With General Wilson's backing, the planning process for the first MCM began. General Ryan embraced the idea of a Marine marathon and submitted it to then Marine Corps Commandant General Louis H. The Marathon also serves as a way to raise money for a wide variety of charities.

Colonel Fowler believed an event like this would showcase the Marine Corps, serve as a recruiting tool, and give local Marines an opportunity to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Ryan, outlining his idea of creating a Marine Corps Reserve Marathon to promote goodwill between the military and the post-Vietnam community. Fowler wrote a memo to his supervisor, Major General Michael P. On October 17, 1975, MCM founder Colonel James L. The event typically occurs on the final Sunday in October, a few weeks before the United States Marine Corps' birthday on November 10. Known as 'The People's Marathon', the MCM is open to all runners ages 14 and above and is the largest marathon that does not offer prize money. The event field of 30,000 is composed of runners from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 50 countries. The MCM was established in 1976 and is currently the fourth largest marathon in the United States and the ninth largest in the world. The mission of the MCM is to promote physical fitness, generate community goodwill, and showcase the organizational skills of the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) is an annual marathon held in Washington, D.C.

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