Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejuene, North Carolina

http://www.mccslejeune.com/maag_grandprix_frame.htm

Mike Marion, Race Director

910-451-1210 or marionmj@usmc-mccs.org

Race held on Saturday, end of February

The Camp Lejeune Marathon is a very small race with lots of pride and patriotism. In 2004, there were about 100 marathoners, many of them active duty or former military. The race is run entirely within the confines of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and all entrants must allow extra time to check in at the front gate before entering the base. The marathon starts at 8am and has a 6 hour time limit. A 5K run/walk event is also held in conjunction with the marathon event. Race chips are used but only the finish time is recorded. The race also had a wheelchair race division.

Course and Weather Conditions

The race begins at the Goettge Memorial Field House located in the center of town on base. The course is a basically a flat loop that takes participants through residential areas of the base, past several scenic open field training areas and then back to main town on base for a stadium style finish on a track behind Goettge Field House. The course is USATF certified.

February weather at Camp Lejeune can be quite variable. In 2004, race day weather was sunny and cool, ideal for most runners, but the day before it was miserably cold, rainy and overcast due to a passing front. Temperatures started out in the mid-30’s and warmed up into the 50’s by early afternoon. The only concern at the start of the race was occasional patches of ice on the ground but most of it had been cleared aside and quickly melted as the morning sun rose. As in previous years, there was a notable headwind between miles 20 and 24 that challenged runners. Runners could stay nice and warm in the field house before and after the race.

Support

Aid stations were well-stocked with water and sports drinks and located every 2 miles until mile 10, every mile thereafter. Vaseline was also available at some aid stations after mile 10. The volunteers manning the aid stations were mostly military personnel and extremely polite, addressing most runners as sir or ma’am when cheering for them. Since the race was held entirely on base, spectators were very limited. A few of the residents came out to their front yards to watch runners pass by. Some family members and friends were situated along parts of the course. There were only a few spectators at the end as well despite the nice stadium-style finish.

Bathrooms were located in the Goettge Field House where the race started and finished. Port-a-potties were located at miles 9, 15 and 20. After the race, free showers were available in the field house, a nice amenity for those who may be leaving the same day of the race. The course and mile markers were clearly marked with ample course marshals and military police on hand to help direct runners and control traffic.

Other

This race was exceptionally well organized with everything exactly as stated in the information given to runners. There was no pasta dinner or expo associated with the event. Runners pick up their race packets the morning of the race at the field house. There was plenty of drinks, fruit, bagels, hot pasta in the field house where the awards ceremony was also later held. Runners received a very nice long-sleeved mock turtle neck shirt with an attractive design. The medal, however, was rather average in appearance. Because the race is so small, many runners received a nice wooden plaque awards in addition to finisher medals. Note that because many active service members participate in this race, it was cancelled in 2003 due to large base deployments.