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Watermelon industry salutes 48th Marine Corps Marathon

The 48th Marine Corps Marathon was held Oct. 29 in Washington, DC, featuring more than 23,000 runners — and a whole lot of watermelon!

Also known as The People’s Marathon, the MCM offers no prize money and has no qualification requirements, yet the event drew runners from all 50 U.S. states and 63 foreign countries. The total number was double the number of 2022, when the event returned to in-person after the pandemic.

The National Watermelon Association and the National Watermelon Promotion Board returned again this year to offer support to runners with words of encouragement, and of course fresh, delicious and hydrating watermelon. Team Watermelon also distributed packets of Tajin, which was a big hit with participants.

Planners of the annual Marine Corps Marathon watermelon promotion, and also the staff of the National Watermelon Promotion Board: Christian Murillo (2023 board president), Rebekah Dossett, Juliemar Rosado, Summer Walker, Andrea Smith and Stephanie Barlow.
Planners of the annual Marine Corps Marathon watermelon promotion, and also the staff of the National Watermelon Promotion Board: Christian Murillo (2023 board president), Rebekah Dossett, Juliemar Rosado, Summer Walker, Andrea Smith and Stephanie Barlow.
The Team Watermelon full group of volunteers, including members of the National Watermelon Promotion Board and National Watermelon Association, as well as Watermelon Queens and coordinators from Florida, Georgia, Texas, Gulf Coast, Illiana, South Carolina, North Carolina and MarDel, along with volunteers from Class Produce.
The Team Watermelon full group of volunteers, including members of the National Watermelon Promotion Board and National Watermelon Association, as well as Watermelon Queens and coordinators from Florida, Georgia, Texas, Gulf Coast, Illiana, South Carolina, North Carolina and MarDel, along with volunteers from Class Produce.
Early in the morning before the 10K finishers cross the line, MarDel Watermelon Queen Brielle Carter and Georgia Watermelon Queen Charley Lollis stand ready near the street decal to pass out watermelon to runners, families and locals in the Rosslyn, VA, finish festival.
Early in the morning before the 10K finishers cross the line, MarDel Watermelon Queen Brielle Carter and Georgia Watermelon Queen Charley Lollis stand ready near the street decal to pass out watermelon to runners, families and locals in the Rosslyn, VA, finish festival.
National Watermelon Queen Olivia Johnson and National Watermelon Association Executive Director George Sczczepanski gave out free watermelon to MCM participants.
National Watermelon Queen Olivia Johnson and National Watermelon Association Executive Director George Sczczepanski gave out free watermelon to MCM participants.
Gulf Coast Watermelon Queen Julianna Singley prepares to pass out the truckload of 17 pallets of ice cold watermelon to 30,000 runners.
Gulf Coast Watermelon Queen Julianna Singley prepares to pass out the truckload of 17 pallets of ice cold watermelon to 30,000 runners.
Abby Niehaus, the Illiana Watermelon Queen, poses before the crowds come with one of the many MCM signage pieces in the finish festival.
Abby Niehaus, the Illiana Watermelon Queen, poses before the crowds come with one of the many MCM signage pieces in the finish festival.
Gracy Peterson, the North Carolina Watermelon Queen, shares watermelon with some of the 3,000 Marines on duty working at the Marine Corps Marathon.
Gracy Peterson, the North Carolina Watermelon Queen, shares watermelon with some of the 3,000 Marines on duty working at the Marine Corps Marathon.
Passing out watermelon to fans of all ages in the Finish Festival.
Passing out watermelon to fans of all ages in the Finish Festival.
Florida Watermelon Queen Alyssa Armentrout gave out watermelon in the first wave of finishers, the 10K runners.
Florida Watermelon Queen Alyssa Armentrout gave out watermelon in the first wave of finishers, the 10K runners.
Illiana Watermelon Queen Abby Niehaus and South Carolina Queen Ansley Still show of their “W’s” for “Watermelon” on another of the street decals messaging about watermelon and the refreshing and replenishing qualities.
Illiana Watermelon Queen Abby Niehaus and South Carolina Queen Ansley Still show of their “W’s” for “Watermelon” on another of the street decals messaging about watermelon and the refreshing and replenishing qualities.
Stephanie Barlow and Andrea Smith of NWPB with Marines and medals capture Team Watermelon and other finishers receiving their finisher medals, including the marathon’s Eagle, Globe and Anchor medal.
Stephanie Barlow and Andrea Smith of NWPB with Marines and medals capture Team Watermelon and other finishers receiving their finisher medals, including the marathon’s Eagle, Globe and Anchor medal.
Happy 10K finishers enjoying the free watermelon from MarDel Watermelon Queen Brielle Carter.
Happy 10K finishers enjoying the free watermelon from MarDel Watermelon Queen Brielle Carter.
Mario & Luigi, 50K race finishers. The MCM is always run the last weekend in October near Halloween.
Mario & Luigi, 50K race finishers. The MCM is always run the last weekend in October near Halloween.
Cheer signs and watermelon queens pose on the course as they cheer on first time Marine Corps Marathoner from Team Watermelon, Terra Eby.
Cheer signs and watermelon queens pose on the course as they cheer on first time Marine Corps Marathoner from Team Watermelon, Terra Eby.
Terra Eby of the MarDel Watermelon Association poses with the marathon medal at the Iwo Jima Memorial at the finish line.
Terra Eby of the MarDel Watermelon Association poses with the marathon medal at the Iwo Jima Memorial at the finish line.
Amanda Griffin of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council earned her third Marine Corps Marathon finishers medal and some watermelon in the Finish Festival. Mission Accomplished!
Amanda Griffin of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council earned her third Marine Corps Marathon finishers medal and some watermelon in the Finish Festival. Mission Accomplished!
A view of the crowd from the watermelon truck shows the sheer volume of finishers, families, fans and friends that receive watermelon refreshment on MCM Sunday.
A view of the crowd from the watermelon truck shows the sheer volume of finishers, families, fans and friends that receive watermelon refreshment on MCM Sunday.
Many runners push their limit to accomplish a lifelong goal of running a marathon. Marines assist a runner after the finish to meet her family. (Photo courtesy of MCM)
Many runners push their limit to accomplish a lifelong goal of running a marathon. Marines assist a runner after the finish to meet her family. (Photo courtesy of MCM)
A family of runners and supporters finishes the marathon together, hand in hand. (Photo courtesy of MCM)
A family of runners and supporters finishes the marathon together, hand in hand. (Photo courtesy of MCM)
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