Access the confirmation email you received upon completion of the registration process to download your E-confirmation card, available here. The E-confirmation card is necessary for retrieving race materials at Packet Pick-up, part of the three-day MCM Health and Fitness Expo.

There's still time to defer or transfer your MCM entry. Runners have until October 5 to defer an entry to 2009. Runners may also transfer their entry from the MCM to the MCM10K. Click here for more information.

Runners will notice a different timing system as they pick up their race materials at Packet Pick-up. The ChampionChip has been replaced with a light-weight timing tag, called a "D-tag", marked with the participant's bib number. Runners will not need to scan the D-tag, like with traditional chips and can simply attach the D-tag to their race day shoe. After crossing the finish, runners do not need to return the D-tag and can dispose of it at their convenience. Click here to get all the details.

Make race weekend an event for the whole family. Volunteer to help out during race weekend. Children ages 6-13 can register for the one-mile Healthy Kids Fun Run, presented by the Washington Post and other family members can take part in the MCM10K, presented by Aetna. Registration for both events is now open.

Get split times and finish information instantly on a pager, text messaging number or e-mail. This free service is a great way for spectators to cheer for their runner (or runners) and be there to meet them for the celebration at the finish line. Live split locations will be located every 5K and at the finish. Click here to sign up!

To add to the fun and in celebration of the MCM's 33rd anniversary, 33 extra special goodie bags will be "super-sized" and contain great products from MCM sponsors and licensees. The goodie bags will be randomly distributed throughout the three-day Health and Fitness Expo. Click here to learn more.

Get two workouts in one - Runner Bill Wenmark, a veteran of nearly 100 marathons and a former Navy Corpsman, teams up with USAA Certified Financial Planner™ June Walbert to offer training tips for you and your finances. Be sure to pick up your commemorative finisher coin at the Finish Festival!

Get ready to rock on race day, thanks to entertainment presented by Verizon Wireless. Former American Idol Finalist, Kimberly Locke, kicks off the day with her performance of the National Anthem. Find out more about the live bands along the course. Make plans to celebrate your finish at the MCM Post Race Concert featuring headliner, the BoDeans.

Enjoy the 200+ exhibitors and vendors at the Health and Fitness Expo, featuring everything runners and their support teams want including running apparel and gear, training and nutrition products, food samples, MCM licensed merchandise and entertainment! Visit the Health and Fitness Expo on Thursday, October 23, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or Saturday, October 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

For licensed gear, apparel and other merchandise, check out the MCM Shop. Runners can also visit the MCM Souvenir Store. Look for all the MCM licensed vendors at the Health and Fitness Expo.

With race day rapidly approaching, great Brooks MCM gear is now available. Women will definitely want to check out the new MCM Epiphany Short. Patriotic, cute, and highly functional, the red-white-and-blue stretch-woven short moves with you as you run. As the days grow shorter, Brooks' moisture-transfer, silky-soft Equilibrium long - and short-sleeve tops for men and women become core-of-the-drawer essentials for training.

♦ Get ready for race day with Marine Corps Marathon University
♦ The MCM course map is now available for download.
♦ Carb-load with the MCM Carbo Dining In.
♦ Crystal Run family festival and entertainment.
♦ Take Metro on race day for the best access to the race course.
♦ Celebrate post race at the MCM Finish Festival.