QUANTICO, Va. -- Actor, comedian and U.S. Marine Rob Riggle, known for his humorous film roles in "21 Jump Street," "The Hangover," and "Stepbrothers," and for his gig as comedy prognosticator on "Fox NFL Sunday," will serve as an honorary starter of the 37th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM). An Emmy Award-nominated actor, Riggle is also a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve. On Sunday, Oct. 28, Riggle will join 2012 Olympic Marathoner Shalane Flanagan at the MCM start line in Arlington, VA to launch 30,000 runners in "The People's Marathon."
Before becoming a film, television and comedic performer, Riggle was on active duty serving in Marine Corps Aviation and later in Public Affairs on active duty and in the Marine Corps Reserve. During his more than 22-year military career, Riggle has been deployed to Afghanistan, Albania, Kosovo and Liberia. While developing his acting chops, Riggle has appeared in numerous television shows like "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "SNL" and in dramatic roles sharing scenes with Tom Hanks in "Larry Crowne." He also appears in animated features like "The Lorax," "Hotel Transylvania," and Disney's "Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice," for which he received a 2012 Emmy nomination.
"I'm very proud to be a Marine and I'm honored to be involved with this year's Marine Corps Marathon," says Riggle. "Of course I wish I could run in the race, but someone's got to start the thing ... and cheer on the runners ... and perhaps have a hot dog and a beer."
Joining Riggle during MCM Weekend is U.S. Olympic marathon runner Shalane Flanagan. Flanagan was the first U.S. woman to cross the marathon finish in 2:25:51, placing tenth among the world's fastest women in London, her third Olympics. Flanagan also competed in 2008 in Beijing, where she received a Bronze medal for the 10,000 meters, prior to that she ran in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. A formidable force on the track, Flanagan remains a U.S. record holder in the 3k, indoor 5k and 10k running events.
An elite athlete featured in Nissan's Innovation for Endurance program, Flanagan will be a special guest speaker at the MCM Runners Conference on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.
Flanagan will be available to MCM runners during the "First Timers" session beginning at 2:15 p.m. Flanagan also will appear that same day at the Nissan booth located at the MCM Health & Fitness Expo inside the DC Armory in Washington, D.C.
"The Marine Corps Marathon is pleased to include one of our own, Marine Lt. Col. Rob Riggle, and an Olympic runner of Shalane Flanagan's caliber to add even more excitement to starting ceremonies," says MCM Director Rick Nealis. "With both of their professional talents reflected in what we do as the Marine Corps Marathon organization, Rob and Shalane will help us propel runners on their marathon journey."
The 37th MCM includes 30,000 participants ages 14 to 86 from all states and 54 countries. They will run the 26.2 mile event from Arlington, VA and throughout the nation's capital to the iconic finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial.
