Metro's SafeTrack Debacle Sends Marine Corps Marathon Organizers Scrambling

ARLINGTON, VA — The 41st annual Marine Corps Marathon is fast approaching this October, and because of the Metro SafeTrack plan, which was implemented to fix chronic safety issues throughout the system, organizers are having to make some unusual changes to the start of the race.

In the past, MCM organizers had coordinated an early open with WMATA that began at 5 a.m., with an average of 24,000 riders taking advantage of that each October to get to the start line in time for the ceremonial howitzer blast at 7:55 a.m., which starts the race. But because of SafeTrack, that's not going to happen this year, and Metro won't start service until 7 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 30, organizers said in an Aug. 31 statement.

That put MCM organizers in a bit of a bind: the start time of the race is 7:55 a.m., and with Metro opening just 55 minutes before, thousands of people wouldn't be able to make it to the race in time.

Instead, they're implementing the following compromise: the race will still start at 7:55 a.m. along Route 110 in Arlington, but new arrivals will be able to get to the start line and then join the race up until 8:55 a.m.

"This change will enable runners an expanded window of time after the ceremonial howitzer blast," the statement reads. "The MCM's 14-minute per mile pace requirement will remain in place for all Marathon participants across the entire course; however, the earlier a runner arrives, the longer he/she has to complete the 26.2 miles."

Image via Marine Corps Marathon