Marine Corps Marathon Jeopardized by Shutdown

By Susan Larson

The government has stopped running, and now the federal shutdown is threatening to stop runners.

The 38th Marine Corps Marathon could be canceled due to the government shutdown. It is scheduled for Oct. 27.

"Without a resolution to the government shutdown this week, the Marine Corps Marathon as planned is in jeopardy of being canceled," race organizers said on its Facebook page.

"While still considering and exploring all possible options, the MCM has targeted this Saturday, October 19 as the date to officially notify runners of the status of the event."

More than 60 percent of the marathon's course is on National Park Service land, marathon spokeswoman Tami Faram told Runner's World Newswire.

Marine Corps Marathon weekend generated $31.7 million in spending for the DC metro area in October 2006, according to a report from the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies.

The Army Ten-Miler, with some 35,000-people expected to run this Sunday could also be re-routed to avoid federal land. Organizers of that race say they will announce a decision Thursday.

The shutdown has already forced the postponement of the Wilson Bridge Half Marathon from Oct. 6 to Nov. 10.