The Marine Corps Marathon

The Marine Corps Marathon is one of the best marathons in the US

If you've not been in the marathon world for long you'd be forgiven for not knowing that the Marine Corps Marathon is in effect the Washington DC Marathon. It's one of the biggest in the US but not always at the top of runners' bucket lists. Why is that? Is it the name or is it that there are so many big US marathons? We take a look.

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Washington D.C.

Known across the world as the heart of US government Washington, D.C. there is so much to see and do in this fascinating city, some of it tied to politics and plenty of it unrelated. The Marine Corps Marathon is a great course and runners get to see plenty of the city from a different and intriguing perspective. The National Mall, home to world famous landmarks, like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is known as America's Front Yard and this is where most visitors to DC start their exploring. It's also home to 74 museums that cover topics ranging from history and art to science and aerospace and plenty inbetween. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the United States Holocaust Museum are among those that shouldn't be missed. If books are your thing check out the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world and one of the most architecturally stunning buildings anywhere.

Head to Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate home and learn about the first president's life and legacy. In addition to the mansion,there's a museum and education center, gardens, a slave memorial, a working farm, and Washington's tomb. It's well worth the admission fee and you can easily spend a day here.

As well as its political and historic sites DC has plenty of cool districts and neighbourhoods for just hanging out, shopping or trying out the local culinary scene. The Wharf on the waterfront is one, where you'll find stores for products made by local artisans and one of the city's favorite independent bookshops. Cady's Alley is a design district for high-end designers and local antiques, including home furnishings, fashion, and other chic shops. There's plenty more shopping at downtown's CityCenter DC, with high-end brands as well as some great restaurants.

History of the Marine Corps Marathon

The first event was held on November 7, 1976 and was known as the Marine Corps Reserve Marathon. There were 1,175 participants on a course through northern Virginia, finishing at the Marine Corps War Memorial. This was thanks to the hard work of the event founder Colonel James L. Fowler. The following year permits were secured to run through Washington, D.C, starting in Arlington, Virginia, past key landmarks in the nation's capital, and returning for the traditional finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial. This became the blueprint for subsequent events. The following year there were an additional 1500 runners thanks to these changes and the profile the event was now attracting.

The following year management of the race was transferred from the Marine Corps Reserve to active-duty Marines and the event became known as the Marine Corps Marathon in 1978. In 1989 there were 10,000 finishers for the first time and in 2006 this rose to 20,000. This was the same year that the 10k was added. In 2013 entries for the Marathon sold out in under two and a half hours. The 50k was launched in 2019 with twice as many entrants as any similar event in the US.

This marathon has always been well supported

Race Organiser

The Marine Corps Marathon Organisation, part of the United States Marine Corps.

When is the Marine Corps Marathon?

The race is held annually in October.

Distances

50k, Marathon, 10k and 1 mile kids fun run

Is there an Expo?

Everyone needs to attend the Health & Fitness Expo to collect their race packet. It's held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbour, Maryland and is a decent sized expo with more than 100,000 square feet of exhibits and booths. There are plenty of sponsors, charities and vendors, selling all the latest health and fitness products, as well as souvenir branded event products. It's not on the scale of other big city centres events, but there is still plenty to see and do.

How many runners?

30,000, composed of runners from all 50 states.

Course

There are three races on Sunday of race week; the MCM50K, the largest ultramarathon in the country and the only one held entirely in an urban setting. Runners in the 50k and the Marathon share the start line in Arlington, directly adjacent to the Pentagon. 50k runners go off first at and run the entire Marathon course with a 4.87-mile diversion after crossing the Key Bridge from Virginia into the nation’s capital. 10k runners start on the National Mall and finish in the same place as the 50k and Marathon runners, at the iconic US Marine Corps War Memorial.

It's a busy start and more relaxed than some

The Marathon has a spectacular start featuring a color guard, national anthem, special guests and international flags from all nations represented in the field. Runners head north out of the vast Arlington National Cemetery into Rosslyn before a loop west to Lyon Village before returning to Rosslyn. This is home to some of Arlington's most recognizable office buildings, like the Twin Towers buildings, as well as high-rise apartments and condos, and of course some stunning views across the Potomac River to DC. Mile 1 to 4 is the hilliest part of the course. The rest is now relatively flat. Just past mile 4 runners then cross the Key Bridge, a six lane arch bridge that carries Highway 29. It was opened in 1923 and cost $2.5 million to build and is named in honor of Francis Scott Key, author of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” who was a resident of Georgetown in the early 19th century. Once over the Bridge runners head east through Georgetown and then north for a four mile loop along Rock Creek and back. At mile 6 it's past Francis Park, and then the Embassy of Japan, before turning just past 7 and coming back south, with the Kennedy Center just before mile 10. Across the river is Theodore Roosevelt Island and just after mile 10 is the access bridge. It was designated by Congress as a memorial to President Theodore Roosevelt who was an early champion of conservation and includes a memorial plaza with a 17-foot statue of Roosevelt in addition to two miles of trails through forest and wetlands. From here to mile 13 the route hugs the bank of the Potomac, running past the Lincoln Memorial at the eastern end of the National Mall and then through the East and West Potomac Park.

At halfway it's a turn north with the Washington Channel to the right. At mile 15 is the start of an incredible four miles of running, with this section packed full of world famous landmarks. Heading west and then east along Independence Avenue SW, it's the Lincoln Memorable again, followed by the National World War ll Memorial, the National Museum of American History and the National Gallery of Art at mile 18. Running towards the US Capitol Building, it's a loop around Union Square before passing the National Air and Space Museum at mile 19 before turning south on 14th St and passing even more museums and then crossing the Washington Channel just before mile 20. Next up is the Jefferson Memorial and then another crossing of the Potomac River across 14th Bridge, which can be tough. Once back into Arlington the route continues south to Crystal City where it loops back north. The name "Crystal City" came from the first building, which was called Crystal House and had an elaborate crystal chandelier in the lobby. Crystal City is home to many big names including Boeing and is the planned base for the Amazon HQ2, which is currently under construction. Runners now head north, passing the Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary at mile 24, before turning west for two more incredible miles. It's along North Boundary Drive, past the Pentagon and then Richmond Highway to the finish in front of the Marine Corps War Memorial. It's then a short walk to the Finish Festival in downtown Rosslyn. There's plenty of space to recover, with a free massage, plenty of food and drink and live musical performances.

There is plenty of water and Gatorade on the course

What's unique?

The run around the National Mall and the involvement of the Marines give this event something special.

Do charities benefit?

There is a significant charity programmes, with more than 40 charity partners, from one star to four partners. They have guaranteed entries to the event and ask runners to raise around $750-$1250. Find out more here https://www.marinemarathon.com/charity-program/

If you already have your own spot in the event you can of course run for whoever who you want to and raise whatever you can.

One of the many charity runners

Our verdict

There are some areas of the course which are truly inspirational and some that are not. The latter includes the out and back loops and there are a few of these. Seeing runners coming back when you've still got to get there is never a great feeling, but there are enough positives here to outweigh the negatives. The start isn't as tightly controlled as some big events and it's a long walk to get there so be prepared for that. The crowd support can be limited in places and excellent in others. The involvement of the Marines, both in organisational terms and the constant reminders along the course of their sacrifices, are awe inspiring and make this an event that you need to seriously consider.

How to register

Online via the race website. There is a lottery for the marathon. Official charity partners do have spots in the Marathon.

Race website

https://www.marinemarathon.com/