WASHINGTON 鈥� Many entertainers dream of a chance to perform for a crowd of thousands. And it鈥檚 possible for the acts that volunteer for one of the many Marine Corps Marathon-affiliated events 鈥� the 鈥渇ans鈥� just happen to be running right past the talent.
are searching for talent to perform at its 2017 events. For more than 10 years, the running events have before or after a race or along the course, said Tami Faram, PR coordinator for the Marine Corps Marathon.
鈥淩unners really enjoy entertainment along the miles. Whether you鈥檙e running a 26.2-[mile] marathon or a 13.1-[mile] half marathon or even a 5K or a 10K, it鈥檚 a lot of fun to have that in the background and the atmosphere,鈥� Faram said. 鈥淐ertainly the competitive runner may not notice all the entertainers, but the average runner really enjoys that.鈥�
Volunteers are sought year-round, but since a request for submissions was posted earlier this year, the Marine Corps Marathon has received applications from hundreds of interested performers, Faram said.
鈥淲e have everything from rock ‘n’ roll and bluegrass and country and every kind of music you can imagine 鈥� to touring choirs and high school bands and event performers. We鈥檝e had gymnasts on the course tumbling and magicians and signs spinners,鈥� Faram said.
Bruiser, a classic rock band with members from around Northern Virginia, is one of the acts that comes back for more year after year. The band has played for several Marine Corps Marathon events since 2008, and over the years has noticed some songs appeal more to runners, said John Morgan, one of the members of the band.
鈥淲e do a lot of Stones, a lot of Beatles 鈥� we do a lot of ZZ Top, we do Zepplin,鈥� Morgan said. 鈥淲e do one of [Billy Joel鈥檚] songs and they really get a kick out of it. And then, of course, the one that everybody likes is the Stones like 鈥楤east of Burden,鈥� 鈥楲et鈥檚 Spend the Night Together.鈥欌��
The 鈥渉its鈥� are a little different for the Maranatha Touring Choir, which has performed at each Marine Corps Historic Half since the event began 10 years ago in 2008. The Fredericksburg-based, interdenominational children鈥檚 choir sings a lot of upbeat spirituals that help give runners an extra kick, said choir manager Rodney Womack.
鈥淎s people come through as we are singing and they are running, they are clapping and they are cheering us on, which is really neat,鈥� Womack said.
The runners aren’t the only ones benefiting, Womack said. The experience has “motivated kids to start running themselves,” he added.
Morgan encourages anyone interested to test their talents by volunteering for the races.
鈥淵ou might not have the greatest voice sound in the world, but if you got a good band sound, they don鈥檛 care about the voice 鈥� they like the beat, they like the rhythm, they like the bass that goes with it,鈥� he said of the runners.
And in the end, Morgan says Bruiser has had the opportunity to perform for hundreds of thousands of people.
鈥淪ince we鈥檝e been doing it 鈥� we average 30-some thousands people 鈥� over about nine years 鈥� that鈥檚 how many people have run by us that we鈥檝e played for. Not too many people can say it that way.鈥�
If you鈥檙e interested in being a volunteer performer, contact the entertainment coordinators. Groups or individuals are invited to submit an audio file of no more than 30 seconds or a YouTube link. Please share your name, age (if under 18), email address, military connection — if relevant, and cellphone number.
