36th Marine Corps Marathon Sells Out in 28 Hours! 2011 registration smashes previous sell-out record by 34 hours

QUANTICO, Va. – At 4:04pm on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) sold out all available online entries in just 28 hours and 4 minutes, marking the fastest sell-out in the history of "The People's Marathon." The previous MCM registration record occurred in 2005, when the event sold out in 62 hours and 9 minutes.

Runners rushed to register for the 36th MCM as it opened to public at noon Eastern on Wednesday, Feb. 23, the date that commemorates the flag raisings at the Battle of Iwo Jima during WWII.

"The energy and excitement of the runners is evident by the fast close out of registration and the constant action on Facebook and Twitter relating to the 36th MCM," says MCM Director Rick Nealis.

Christopher Donner, 34, of Williamsville, NY, who will be running his first MCM was the first to register online. "I have family in the Washington, D.C. area who have been encouraging me to run the MCM," says Donner. "They told me it is the 'one to run.' "

Runners still interested in participating in the 2011 MCM can register to run with one of the MCM Charity Partners by linking to the charity page of www.marinemarathon.com.

More than 70 organizations have reserved blocks of entries to the event.

"Running for a charitable cause adds an entirely new level of inspiration to the experience," adds Nealis. "With a wide variety of charities to choose from, runners will have no challenge finding an important cause to support."

The 2011 MCM will welcome 30,000 registered participants. The MCM will start in Arlington, Va., wind through the nation's capital and cross the scenic Potomac River before heading back into Northern Virginia for the iconic finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn.

Voted the best marathon for families, the Marine Corps Marathon honors the dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism of its participants. Runners from all walks of life participate in the largest marathon not to offer prize money, earning the name, "The People's Marathon." According to Running USA, the MCM is the fourth largest marathon in the United States and the eighth largest in the world. The 36th MCM will be held on Sunday, October 30, 2011, in Arlington, Va.