MCM will open Metro at 6 a.m. for runners and spectators to arrive at the Pentagon for the MCM or the National Mall for the MCM10K. Both events will start at 7:55 a.m.  Only 20 percent of the rooms remain available in the MCM Hotel Block. Check out the online hotel desk to secure a room near the start and finish in Arlington  -- or in the same venue as the Health & Fitness Expo at the Gaylord National Resort, the MCM headquarters hotel.

Bib Mail Out Challenges traveling to the nation’s capital before MCM? Skip the stress and opt-in to the Bib Mail-Out program, available for MCM and MCM10K participants in limited quantities. For a $30 fee, runners may choose to have the bib mailed to their home in advance of MCM. Shirts will be available to these runners on Oct. 22 at the Finish Festival, post run.

The most energetic way to enter MCM Weekend—MCM Kickoff hosted by First Command. Dance, party and enjoy the wild fun with the DJ host. Talk to marathon experts. Get hypnotized for positive thinking. Enjoy light snacks and more!   Just announced-the American Bombshells, performing patriotic music and show tunes, will provide live entertainment at the Carbo Dining In on Saturday, October 21 at the Gaylord National. Limited tickets available for the marathon world’s best pasta dinner.

Morning Mess Partake in a scrumptious breakfast with the MCM on Saturday, October 21 at the Gaylord National Resort. Entertainment includes a special guest speaker and MCM insider intel brief. Limited tickets are available.

On October 22, the MCM10K returns to the National Mall. The start time  reverts to 7:55 a.m. this year. Multiple changes to the 2016 MCM10K were necessitated by the absence of Metro service. Registration remains open for this 6.2-mile event that finishes alongside the MCM. The one-mile, just –for-fun run hosted by the Marines and presented by Virginia529 on the morning prior to the MCM at the Pentagon. Register runners ages 5-12 for just $8. Mascots, games, snacks, family fun, Marine motivation and more!

Defer to 2018 Can’t run in 2017? Starting on August 15, defer an entry and guarantee a spot in the 2018 MCM. Avoid the Lottery while maintaining access to the MCM. There is an $80 fee associated with this limited availability service. Another option is to transfer an entry to a non-registered runner through September 14.