Marine Corps Marathon
A 26.2-mile loop through American history, from the Pentagon through Georgetown and the National Mall to a gut-punch uphill finish at the Iwo Jima Memorial, staffed entirely by U.S. Marines.
The course.
Race-day weather.
Late October in the DC area is typically crisp and clear, with race-day highs in the low 60s and lows in the mid-40s. Humidity is low. The biggest weather risk is an unseasonably warm year, which has historically punished pace groups on the long Rock Creek Parkway stretch.
Entry.
Entry is via a March lottery for the general public. Roughly half of bibs go to lottery; the rest to active-duty service members, charity partners, and guaranteed-entry running groups. Lottery odds have been roughly 1 in 3 in recent years.
Register on race siteLogistics.
DCA, 3 mi from the start.
From the community.
Race history.
Founded in 1976 by Marine Colonel Jim Fowler to showcase the Marines' fitness culture to the public. The race has run every year since, including 1976 during a fuel crisis and 2020 in virtual form during the pandemic. It earned the nickname 'The People's Marathon' for its unwavering focus on participants over elite competition.
First run in 1976. Roughly 17,000 finishers in a recent edition.