Charities seek Marine Corps Marathon runners - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Charities seek Marine Corps Marathon runners

Just because you missed out on registering for the Marine Corps Marathon doesn’t mean you can’t run in the famed race.

In fact, even though public registration for the event is closed, open slots are still available — but you better act soon.

Charities and non-profit organizations begin seeking runners to fill the 4,000 slots set aside for them in earnest once general registration for the marathon is closed, said Beth Johnson, a marathon spokeswoman.

“It’s really the best way to get in at this point,” Johnson said. “There are a wide variety [of charities] that are very military-oriented, and they tend to be active-duty Marine or families” who run for a lot of them.

A scan Friday of the marathon’s Web site, http://www.marinemarathon.com, advertised openings with more than 60 charities, including the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, Fisher House, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and USO World Headquarters.

Other participating charities focus on everything from cancer research to humanitarian aid overseas.

Johnson said some slots would remain open into July, but they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“If people want to run with a charity, they do have a little bit longer,” she said. “But these spots do tend to fill up.”

Registration for the marathon closed on Monday with 30,000 participants.