The Marine Corps Marathon has earned its nickname, The People’s Marathon, by being the largest marathon in the world that does not offer prize money. Runners who sign up for the marathon are contributing to a charity partner such as Alzheimer’s Association, Armed Forces Foundation, Hope for the Warriors, TAPS organization, and many more. Runners are running in the name for the charity partner, or in honor of a fallen soldier. All runner’s run for a good cause and even helps the community. So then we ask, why is the Marine Corps Marathon different from other Marathons? Specifically, why is it different from the Boston Marathon? The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world’s most prestigious road racing events. “It has distinguished itself as the pinnacle event within the sport of road racing by virtue of its traditions, longevity and method of gaining entry into the race.” (History: bostonmarathon.com) To qualify for the Boston Marathon, one must obtain a specific time. The age range varies between men and woman among the time qualifications. This marathon offers prize money and recognition while the Marine Corps marathon is only fundraising. Difference is: you get money in one, and you support the community with the other by illustrating the support and pride for your country otherwise known as being a patriot. As a supporter on the sidelines, you get to witness a majority of runners wearing a logo of the charity they are supporting or they are wearing red, white, and blue illustrating that they are a patriot of our country.
Of this Marathon, the most memorable aspect of it all is what lies alongside of the route. What stands out the most are the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. The Washington Monument is a unique building because it is the tallest free standing stone structure is the world. It is 555 feet tall and walls eight feet seven inches thick. One aspect that makes this monument filled with historical background is along the east and west faces of the interior are 193 memorial stones and two descriptive stones. They include the Alaska memorial stone that is a solid green jade said to be worth several million dollars. Inside the structure also includes the memorial stone from Greece and is a block from the ruins of the Parthenon. Stones that are imbedded within the walls of this monument are all apart of history and each tell a story of how America came to become what it is and stands for today. The Washington Monument stands important to US history because many events or causes were staged at this sight. Movements such as war protests or the Aids Quilt raised conflict for the nation. The Aids Quilt for example is a huge quilt that pays tribute to people who have died of AIDS. This is disbanding because of a dispute with the national foundation that controls the ever-expanding memorial. A noticeable aspect of the Washington Monument as well is a well-defined shadow that serves as a sun-height indicator. “That glorious history would continue in the shadow of the Monument its destiny was to be not only a memorial to an American hero but also a magnet for Americans celebrating life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” (Allen 103) This quote is beautifully stated in that the purpose of this monument is to represent the United States as a country and being free so that we as a country can live the life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and continue in that manner for centuries to come.
The Lincoln Memorial stands on the west end of the National Mall, facing east toward the reflecting pool of the Washington Monument. The structure of the memorial resembles a Greek Temple in that it has 36 columns, one for each state at the time of Lincoln’s death. The building is 204 feet long, 134 feet wide and 99 feet tall. The sculpture of Lincoln was designed by Daniel Chester French, the leading American sculpture at the time, and is in the center of the Greek like structure. It was carved in four years by the Piccalilli brothers under the supervision of the French. The sculpture is 19 feet tall, and was carved out of 28 blocks of white Georgia marble which is also used as apart of the Washington Monument. The Gettysburg Address is inscribed on the south wall of the monument. Above that is a mural of the angel of truth freeing a slave. On the north wall has a painting of the Unity of North and South mural. Below that you will find an etching of Lincoln’s second inaugural speech. The final cost for the Lincoln Memorial totaled $3 million dollars. Since the memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1922, which marks fifty-seven years after Lincoln died, has been a place where American citizens can congregate to express their feelings about issues that continue to divide the country, as well as to celebrate our unity as a nation. In time, many famous speeches have been delivered there, including Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech. To insure that this very special place continues to stand for democracy and freedom, the Lincoln Memorial is currently undergoing a major restoration and is expected to be finished in the year 2012.
The completion of Washington D.C relies on a statue located along the Tidal Basin. After the Jeffersonian Democracy, an era when Thomas Jefferson, an anti-Federalist, won presidency, and successfully established a strong, working central government structured and principled as described in the Constitution a memorial was inevitable. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is located directly south of the White House and on the east and west axis is the State Capitol. With these Monuments being aligned north and south, east and west, it finalizes a monumental heart for the city. The memorial was dedicated in 1943 on the 200th anniversary of Jefferson's birthday. The circular structure of this monument bears some resemblance to the Pantheon of Rome which is an adaptation of the classical style and fascination Jefferson had on the Roman architecture. The exterior of this monument is constructed with Danby Imperial marble and the interior was constructed with Tennessee pink marble. Inside this glamorous monument is a bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson in the center standing 19 feet tall and weighing over five tons. Throughout the interior of the circular dome are engraved passages written by Thomas Jefferson. “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states...And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” (Excerpts from the Declaration of Independence)
Along side the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial is the World War II Memorial which is significant to the race because it represents history that will forever live in infamy. This Memorial is designed so that visitors would enter the sunken plaza on ramps which will pass by two giant arches (each 41-feet tall) that represent the two fronts of the war. Inside, there would be a Freedom Wall covered with 4,000 gold stars, each representing 100 Americans that died during World War II. The Memorial is located in front of the Rainbow Pool also known as the reflecting pool of the Washington Monument. The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million men and women who served in the U.S. armed services, the 400,000 who died in the war, and the millions of Americans who supported the war on the home front.
As the route reaches the end marker at 26.2 miles, runners run through the Arlington Cemetery also known as Iwo Jima. The Arlington memorial was established to honor the thousands of Marines who have given their lives in the defense of this great nation, and in the pursuit of liberty around the world. “Although the memorial depicts just one of the hundreds of battles in which Marines have taken part, it vividly illustrates the courage, determination, and skill with which the Marines have performed their duties for more than two centuries, since the Marine Corps' founding on November 1775. Chosen to represent the contribution of all Marines is the famous scene of the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.” (Edwards) The battle of Surabachi is significant in that towards the end of the battle, six Marines were commanded to raise the American flag on top of the island which means a Marine Corps for the next five hundred years. A photograph was taken during the raising of the flag which is now among the most famous photographs in history. At that same note, a statue was built of the six servicemen and now, the annual Marine Marathon begins and finishes at the World famous Marine Corps War Memorial Corps. Iwo Jima is one out of many events that juxtaposes with the other Memorials and Monuments. All of which places an indentation of history and created America the way it is today.
“We bring our biases and our prejudices, our beliefs and obsessions, our habits, and the sum of all the knowledge we’ve accumulated about the place through our mediated experiences with it. Consequently, any insights we may have about aspects of the place are purchased with blindness to other aspects. As Burke reminds us, “a way of seeing is also a way of not seeing”. The differences between the rhetorical traveler and the unrhetorical one have to do with the proportion of blindness to insight and the capacity to nudge the limits of sight be reflection and self-criticism and to acknowledge differences between our expectations and our experiences.” (Rhetoric of Advertising 193) As accurately stated, those whom choose to run this marathon must have some reason or experience from the past that encourages them to run. The meaning behind it all “is a way of not seeing” how one can express their patriotism. Running the Marine Corps Marathon can mean a plethora of different reasons as to why people travel a distance to a place that holds history in the palm of its hands. An individual feels the desire to do something that holds meaning in their hearts. They gravitate towards their beliefs and judgment and because it holds value in their hearts, they blindly do what is necessary to accomplish their goal, in this case, running the Marine Corps Marathon. In an interview with Eric Dietz, brother of Navy Seal Danny P. Dietz KIA in Afghanistan, I had asked him questions pertaining to his feeling on the Marine Corps Marathon and why he chose to do this race. Throughout the interview, Eric showed me pictures of his brother and explained to me why his brother became the idol in Littleton, Colorado. I asked him Why did you decide to participate in the October 29, 2006 Marine Corps Marathon? “Because I wanted to do something to honor my brother. Even though my brother was a Navy Seal and the Marine Corps Marathon was the only marathon out there that you can run in honor of a fallen soldier.” What does the Marine Corps Marathon mean to you? “I think the Marine Corps Marathon is amazing because I think it is a way to better people’s health and to honor our fallen soldiers. I think it takes a lot of pride for someone to run a marathon like this because this marathon you run for someone else, this isn’t to honor yourself, this is running for a fallen soldier.” Spoken through travelers eyes, a dream envision for some and lived by others, people who dedicate their appreciation by giving something in return rhetorically. The majority of people who come to Washington D.C are gathered there for the same purpose, to illustrate a patriotic role for their country.
In conclusion, as one deliberates about the differences between the description and the experiences of their lives, they in turn develop a devotion for their own beliefs and values. “Tourists, meanwhile, in their devotion to canonical sites, monuments, and must-see attractions and their commitment to buying mementos of their journey, mark themselves as descendants of the early-day religious pilgrims, travelers of a decidedly serious sort, who traveled afar to view holy sites and to purchase religious relics, thereby placing themselves in direct contact with the roots of their faith and reaffirming an essential, central self.” (Rhetoric and Everyday Life 185). The Marine Corps Marathon reaffirms the central self, as spoken of in this quote. All the historical monuments are attractions because of its history. Here in Washington D.C lies a story behind every statue, every monument, every memorial, and every person that enters our marvelous country. America the beautiful and free. The Marine Corps Marathon is a symbol of what stands free. The route is ran by travelers who feel devoted to travel into their roots or beliefs. Thereby making the Marine Corps Marathon different from any other marathons due to the historical background that lies alongside this route. This run shows patriotism, nationalism, pride, courage, determination, and more importantly, reveals one’s true identity through their character choosing to run the ultimate Marine Corps Marathon.
Works Cited
Dietz, Eric. Interview. Lyly Nguyen. July 2007
Usatf.org. 2001-2007. USA Track and Field. July 2007 http://www.usatf.org/
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