  Semper
Fi
From Vietnam grunt to civilian race director, Rick
Nealis has always been driven to serve.
By Monica Cardenas
The Marine Corps Marathon, which began modestly with 1,175 runners in 1976,
is taking to the streets of Rosslyn this year for the first time. Thirty-four
thousand runners are registered for the 31st annual running on October 29, which
will also mark Maj. Rick Nealis’ 14th year as race director.
 Nealis,
52, is a 20-year veteran of the Corps whose father and uncle both served in the
military. When Nealis joined up in 1972 during the Vietnam War, he was just 18
years old.
"A friend of mine wanted to go to law school through the Corps,” says Nealis.
"While he talked to the recruiters about that, they talked to me and
won me over,” he explains with a laugh.
Among other decorations, Nealis would earn the Meritorious Service Medal and the
Navy Achievement Medal. For nine of his 20 years of service in the Marine Corps,
he taught military history and naval science in the Corps and at Villanova.
Nealis retired from the military in 1994 to join the U.S. Olympic effort as the
Olympic Torch deputy caravan coordinator. He ran the longest leg of the torch
relay in Georgia and was on hand when Muhammad Ali lit the cauldron at the
opening ceremony of the 1996 Games. Soon after, he was asked to be the first
civilian MCM race director and has served in that capacity ever since.
"Three things drive the Marine Corps to put on this event,” says Nealis. "To
give something back to the community, to showcase the organizational skills of
the Corps and to promote a healthy lifestyle."
In the run-up to the marathon, Nealis’ staff of 20 works on everything from
marketing and logistics to contracting and obtaining permits. Then, on race day,
more than 2,000 Marines arrive to showcase their organizational skills — flying
helicopters, policing the area, acting as race marshals, and handling
communications or motor transport. Even combat photographers are on hand to
capture the event on film.
"Whatever they do in wartime," explains Nealis, "they provide that service at
the race."
They are far from the only service members to show up on race day. In fact, of
this year’s 34,000 registered runners, 6,000 are military, including some 1,500
Marines. Five Marine Corps generals will be among the competitors.
For the race director, running and the MCM are about promoting a healthy
lifestyle and setting a good example for children and grandchildren. A runner
himself, Nealis pushes hard and always finishes. His personal best was 3:09:50
in the 1983 MCM.
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Marine Corps
Marathon
October 29, 2006
Start: Route 110, Arlington
Finish: Marine Corps War Memorial
Distance: 26.2 miles
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"We get about 44 percent of first-time marathoners, and most will probably never
do it again,” admits Nealis. "My job is to give them the best experience I can,
and hopefully they don’t quit.”
Those who do finish will find a celebratory atmosphere beyond the finish line.
In years prior, says Nealis, the festivities were held at the finish line near
the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, and celebrations were
consequently subdued out of respect. Thanks to a collaborative effort with the
city of Arlington, this year’s festivities in Rosslyn will include a beer garden
and live entertainment, as well as the Crystal City Street Spectacular at the
22-mile mark.
The MCM is the largest marathon in the world that offers no prize money, earning
it the nickname "The People’s Marathon.” Whether a runner finishes in three
hours or six, everyone is welcomed and appreciated. If you insist on
comparisons, however, past first-time MCM finishers have included Oprah Winfrey
(4:29:15) and Al Gore (4:54:25).
"Everybody’s famous at Marine Corps,” says Nealis. "We’re glad you’re here, and
we want to treat everybody special.”
While registration for the MCM itself is closed, those interested can still
register for the Marine Corps Marathon 10K or
Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids’ Fun Run.
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