RESOURCES FOR RACE DIRECTORS

Lucky Golden Ticket Inspires Runners to Sell Out Irish Sprint 10K 

March 17 Event Provides Entries to 37th Marine Corps Marathon 

QUANTICO, VA (Jan. 27, 2012) - The Irish Sprint 10K has sold out in record time as runners dashed to register for the 6.2 mile event that provides a guaranteed spot in the 37th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM). Every Irish Sprint 10K finisher participating in the March 17 event will claim their "lucky golden ticket" that provides a registration code to secure their place in the "The People's Marathon."

The Irish Sprint 10K, which is part of the 2012 MCM Event Series, opened for online registration at noon Eastern on Jan. 25, and closed to registration in under two days. Runners registered for the final spots in the Irish Sprint by 10 p.m. on Jan. 26, with the event sold out in 34 hours.

"It is thrilling to see runners respond so quickly and sell out the Irish Sprint 10K," says Rick Nealis, MCM Director. "There are 2,000 'lucky runners' who today have captured a very coveted spot in the fourth largest marathon in the country.

"Typically a 10K event attracts local runners, but the Irish Sprint and its offer to run the MCM has resulted in this unique registration explosion with runners from 34 states, and even the countries of Brazil, Canada, Iceland and Mexico eager to participate," adds Nealis. 

More registration excitement for the 37th MCM is sure to follow when MCM registration opens to all Active Duty and Reserve military service members online at noon Eastern on Feb. 23. Military members will receive a 15 percent discount for registering between Feb. 23 and March 6, paying $78.20. The 15 percent registration discount is sponsored by MCM partner Geico. 

MCM registration then opens to the public starting at 3 p.m. Eastern on March 7 at a cost of $92. The MCM experienced a record sell out of just over 28 hours in 2011, so MCM registration is once again expected to be fast-paced. 

Registration will be available on the MCM website at www.marinemarathon.com. 

For media information about the Irish Sprint 10K, 2012 MCM Event Series or the 37th MCM, contact Tami Faram, Marine Corps Marathon Public Relations Coordinator at 703-432-1840 or tami.faram@usmc.mil. 

The 2012MCM Event Series is sponsored by Geico, Brooks, Marine Federal Credit Union and Discover Prince William & Manassas. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement implied.