RUNNING USA – Marine Corps Marathon Extends Runner Tracking to Social Media Networks

QUANTICO, Va. – (October 19, 2011) – The 36th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) is tremendously increasing runner tracking throughout the world of social networks and the mobile universe. For the first time, runners and spectators can view a participant's progress every 10K in real time on individual Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, email and text messages.

A Facebook leader board on the MCM Official Page tracking the male and female front runners also is being unveiled at the upcoming MCM on Sunday, October 30.

By registering for a new runner tracking program, available on the MCM website, runners and spectators will be able to receive continuous updates as an individual runner reaches the 10K, 20K, 30K and 40K splits and across the MCM finish. These updates can be automatically posted on a runner's personal Facebook and Twitter page, or they can be received via email or over SMS text messaging.

Starting Thursday, October 20, MCM participants and spectators will be able to register for the updates free of charge through the MCM website at www.marinemarathon.com.

"The power of social media enables those who cannot be at the event to virtually support a runner," says Rick Nealis, MCM Director. "This new capability allows everyone from close family to long lost Facebook friends to cheer a runner's progress."

In addition to the social media updates, the MCM will be utilizing myStanly presented by Grant Thornton to display live tweets throughout MCM Weekend. Anyone can join the conversation, by tweeting finish time goals, observations about MCM Weekend, running tips or encouraging messages. Runners should tweet with the hashtag #36thMCM.

The live Twitter display engineered by MetroStar Systems will be featured on large monitors at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, MCM headquarters hotel; the Health & Fitness Expo at the DC Armory and at the MCM finish line.

For more information about myStanly, visit: www.myStanly.com

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". The MCM, sponsored by Brooks, Nissan, Aetna, Arlington, VA and GE, is the fifth largest marathon in the United States and the ninth largest in the world.

The 36th MCM will be held on Oct. 30 in Arlington, VA.

RUNNING USA