Staged annually in Arlington, Virginia, the Marine Corps Marathon attracts thousands of runners to the area every fall. Weaving through the historic town full of war monuments and historical museums, it's is one of the most popular marathons in the world. Participants will complete months of training leading up to race day, and there are several gift ideas to reward their efforts.
Training Gear
Choosing to compete in the Marine Corps Marathon can be a difficult decision and an even harder training period. To mark the race, give a gift of training gear. Some of the most popular gear gifts include watches--stopwatches and wrist watches--plus GPS and heart rate monitors. Other gift ideas for training include recovery and massage tools for injury prevention, MP3 players for listening to music during extended runs, gym bags for carrying extra gear and safety gear for running at night.
Goodie Bag
As race day approaches, a runner's nerves can start to take over. To help restore calm, pack a goodie bag. Common items include protein bars, energy gels and gift cards to restaurants or running stores. The goodie bag can be customized however you like it for the individual runner. Present the bag before the runner leaves for the race so some items can be used before the event.
Cheering Section
One of the best gifts for a Marine Corps Marathon runner is a cheering section. It's not a physical gift, but it can mean a lot for a runner struggling through the course. Make a sign or banner to help your runner pick you out, and be prepared for their appearance. The Marine Corps Marathon gives several recommendations for spectators along the course and suggests five general locations. Consult the race website for detailed instructions.
Framed Memorabilia
Following the race, several memorabilia items are available for gift ideas. A local newspaper will generally print the results and feature a race story. Purchase a paper and frame the page. Get the race bib number and place it in the frame next to the newspaper. The Marine Corps Marathon has professional photographers along the course, and purchasing the pictures is another gift opportunity.
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