Marine Corps 'Historic Half' Marathon Sunday In Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — More than 8,000 people are expected to participate in Sunday's Marine Corps "Historic Half" marathon in downtown Fredericksburg. This year's event will include a "Devil Dog Double," which is an 18.1-mile trek in which participants run the 5-mile "Semper 5ive," which will be followed by the 13.1-mile Historic Half.

The Devil Dog Double begins at the Semper 5ive start line at 6:40 a.m. The Semper 5ive begins at 7 a.m., and the Historic Half also begins at 7 a.m. Devil dog runners have until 7:30 a.m. to reach the turnaround at the finish line and begin the 13.1-mile version.

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Festivities begin Friday at noon with the two-day Healthy Lifestyle Expo at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, 2371 Carl. D. Silver Parkway. It features vendors, exhibitors and speakers. The theme? Running and exercise, of course.

Here's more information, provided by organizers:

Celebration Breakfast

Come celebrate the Marine Corps Historic Half’s tenth anniversary at a special breakfast event on Saturday, May 20 inside the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center ballroom, adjacent to the Healthy Lifestyle Expo.

The breakfast buffet is open to any 2017 participant and a guest at a cost of just $15 per person. The breakfast includes guest speaker Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer of Runner’s World, who will be making his first appearance at the event just prior to his retirement. Yasso will provide tips for running your best Historic Half and for conquering the infamous “Hospital Hill.” Yasso is one of a few who have completed marathons on every continent and is a fantastic speaker ready to motivate runners!

This festive gathering will commemorate the Historic Half as the “best half marathon in history” while recognizing the impressive Iron Mile Company, comprised of 135 runners who have participated in each Historic Half since the event began in 2008.

Click here for course directions and road closures.

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Photo: Marine Corps Marathon