The Marine Corps Marathon will suspend its registration deferment and bib transfer programs for future races, according to a MCM news release on Tuesday.

“The People’s Marathon” attracted almost 40,000 participants during their 50th race edition on Sunday. Organizers said the time and effort needed to prepare for the annual event have made it difficult to maintain previous deadlines for deferrals and bib transfers, according to the release.

Additionally, organizers said they’ve experienced a rise in fraud related to bib transfers, although the release did not specify how often such incidents occur. 

The only exception to the new policy applies to active-duty service members who receive official orders of deployment or change of station that prevents them from participating, according to the release. Those runners must show the appropriate documentation before the annual Sept. 1 deadline.

In past years, some runners were unable to participate after registering. Through the MCM Transfer Program, they could transfer their entry before a set deadline to a non-registered runner or defer their registration to a future race.

Recognizing that unforeseen circumstances may arise, the MCM Refund Protect Program offers runners the option to protect their registration investment if they are unable to participate.

previous coverage

• 40,000 runners hit streets for 50th Marine Corps Marathon
• Active-duty Ukrainian troops run the 50th Marine Corps Marathon as a show of strength and resilience