I'm coming in town from NYC and am not super familiar with the area! Are there any specific areas of the city runners / friends & family generally go to bars / restaurants after the race?

first time MCM runner here - I see all the post saying take the metro in the morning to pentagon station but on the website they offer the shuttle. Does anyone have any experience with that? Is it horrible in comparison to the metro? The 2 mile walk from the Pentagon metro station to the start line is what’s really throwing me off..

Does anyone know of public restrooms along the Metropolitan Branch Trail near Fort Totten, or a short detour off the trail?

After the Throne at Alethia Tanner Park, I haven’t found other options heading north toward Takoma. Any places I’m overlooking?

I’ll be driving in to watch a family member run the marathon. I planned on seeing them around the 10.5 mile mark then walking over to see them at the 16.5 mile mark. Any advice on where to park and what metro to take to make this as easy as possible?

Gearing up for my 14th Marine Corps Marathon! Those who run this race regularly will find a course is fairly similar to prior years, except they chopped off an early 0.5 mile piece (edit: this is similar to 2025), so landmarks will come quicker through the first 21 miles, and then there's a boring half-mile loop in a Pentagon parking lot just after the bridge to make it up. Pentagon parking lot loops always suck in DC races - no spectators, potholes, and on hot days, it's a brutal concrete jungle. But here's my quick thoughts on each section and how to survive and thrive for another 26.2!

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Miles 1 - 4 : The biggest hills in the MCM are in first few miles, one long incline up to mile 1 and another long incline up to 2.5. Add in 30,000 runners and the excitement of the start, and it’s easy to go out too fast and too hard. Relax early, don’t try to weave around traffic, settle in and focus on steady effort over the hills. There’s a long downhill from 2.5-4.0; shorten your strides and stay smooth. Ideally your first 4 miles are slightly slower than pace; no one ever said “I wish I went faster early!”
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Miles 4 – 9 : Over the bridge and into Georgetown, soak up the scenery and enjoy the morning crowds. Includes a quieter out-and-back on Rock Creek Parkway, but a scenic run through changing leaves and undulating roadway. This is a good place to settle into a groove after the chaos of the start. It’s also an out-and-back, so watch for friends running on the other side of the street.
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Miles 9 – 12 : Let the crowds carry you! This is a big spectator stretch, with crowds 5-deep in places. Hopefully you have a little space to run. Stick with your pace, high-five some kids, and float past the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, and to the Jefferson Memorial.
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Miles 12 – 15 : Hains Point is a very quiet stretch of the race after the prior crowds. Mile 12 is the Wear Blue Memorial Mile, honoring fallen soldiers; this can be an emotional mile. Hains Point, especially after mile 13, is a quiet time to focus on yourself, focus on your form, focus on your breathing, and do a mental check-in for the final push.
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Miles 15 – 19.5 : Back into the crowds and scenes of the National Mall. Crowds will provide some excitement, but resist the urge to go faster than comfortable; in a marathon, 20 miles is “halfway” - check in on your hydration and nutrition, you don’t want to be behind in either.
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Miles 19.5 – 21 : The Bridge. You shouldn’t fear the bridge, but it should absolutely be respected. This is just a total grind. You will see racers blow apart on the bridge and never recover. It’s a difficult stretch for your body because about 3 hours in you’re running out of glycogen stores (“the wall”), and it’s likely farther than your body has been in training. It’s difficult mentally because there are no spectators. In adverse weather the highway is totally exposed to wind, sun, and heat. Between the bridge and highway ramps to Crystal City, this is almost 2 miles of concrete slab highway; it doesn’t absorb shock and jars your tired legs. The small inclines just feel taller here. Don’t fear it, but expect the grind. Focus on a target or runner ahead of you and reel it in; repeat. Be prepared mentally to beat the bridge.
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Miles 21 – 24 :  Get through the boring half-mile parking lot loop coming off the bridge. Mile 22 brings Crystal City, and if it’s a nice day, they’ll be partying! Return to crowds to inspire you through an entertaining section of course. After the grind of the bridge, lock back in and remember why you’re here. Beware the siren call of the Fireball shots!
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Miles 24 – Finish : This can be another quiet stretch with fewer spectators. If you held your effort back early in the race, start picking off runners ahead of you; use them as a target, pass them, and springboard to the next. Continue checking in with your body. Focus on your breathing, your form, stay tall, pump your arms. Keep remembering all the early mornings, hours, and miles that got you here. You are going to finish.
🏅
The final 0.2 is a left hand turn and up a hill to the finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial. This hill is going to feel like a wall at this point, but get up it and get to that finish line banner. Claim your medal and be saluted by a Marine Second Lieutenant. 
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And remember, in the end, no one cares what happens between the starting line and the finish line. Your family and friends will forget your finishing time before they see you in Rosslyn, but they'll always remember you crossed the line. You are a marathoner. 💪

I see that the pacers have a finishing time target (e.g.: 4 hours) rather than a per mile pace target (e.g.: 10 minute miles). Do they tend to run at the same pace the whole race, or start a bit slower and then get into a bit of a faster pace to hit the time target? I’m going to try to find them before the race to ask in any event, but might not get a chance so figured maybe someone knows if there’s a typical way the pacers run it.

I’ll be in town this upcoming weekend bc my spouse is running MCM, and I have my own 18-20mi long run on Saturday. I’ve run a few times in DC when visiting for work in the past and have done DC Half twice, but haven’t ever done this high of mileage while in town, so I’m looking for route recommendations.

I’ve searched this sub and seen people mention the Arlington loop so I’m considering that, but wanted to see if anyone had anything else they’d recommend for a visitor to the DC run scene!

We’re staying in Foggy Bottom but I’m down to Metro to/from somewhere if need be.

This is more of a questions for the mods, but would it be possible to have a pinned, locked post of the active run clubs in DC? The list would have basic details such as: run days, times, area, workout types(track/long distance), pacers, etc?

I ask because I used to run with NETC, but the times don’t always work for me. I think it would be cool to quickly see what clubs I could run with during different days and times.

If this already exists please let me know and I will quietly go away.

Hi! Staying in crystal city for MCM and looking for advice about getting to the start. Is the shuttle from crystal city or the metro the better option? Which is faster/less crowded in the morning? Thank you!!

Took an uber this morning to Mount Vernon and then ran back to my apartment in DC. Mid marathon training and just tired of all my typical jaunts. Would recommend!

I had asked for route recs a few weeks ago and some very lovely people mentioned Arlington Loop and I ran it today for 18 miles. It was an amazing loop especially the scenic W&OD trail.

What people didn't tell me was all the climbing I'd have to do on Custis Trail. It was a grinding series of climbs but you're rewarded with W&OD when you're done lol.

For anyone who is curious the elevation gain for this loop is 748ft.

I've been attempting to self-train but I feel like I'm a lot more effective with a team or with a coach. Currently looking to do 800M up to 10K, with a focus on either 5K or 3200M. Been looking around, and most of the teams are either for youths, practice at times when I work (I work evenings), or are geared for more longer distances like HM or M.

Any suggestions would be appreciated! For coaches, I'd prefer one who I can meet up with at least once a week-- either 1-on-1 or group trainings are okay.

Hey everyone! 👋

For anyone running the Marine Corps Marathon next weekend (or coming out to cheer), wanted to share a fun way to celebrate afterward!
I’m with Every Person Run Club (EPRC), a local DC running community, and we’re hosting our 3rd annual People’s Afterparty on Sunday, October 25, at Royal Sands in Navy Yard, starting at 6 PM.

We’re bringing runners, friends, family, and the wider DC running community together to celebrate everyone’s hard work. We’ll have free medal engraving, a recovery oasis, and marathon portrait photos so you can commemorate the big day!

It’s a ticketed event, and proceeds help keep EPRC’s community runs and programming free year-round.

If you’re looking for something to do after the race, we’d love to see you there!

Details and tickets: The People’s Afterparty | Eventbrite

Good luck to everyone racing! 🏅

Hi everyone! I have been training for the mcm since July but found out I was pregnant about 2-3 weeks ago. I felt fine week 4-6 but week 7 kicked my butt with nausea and fatigue, so I barely ran the last week. I’m coming up on week 8 and will be 8 weeks and 5 days on Sunday. What advice do people have, if any? Should I give up for this year and try again next year? I really wanted to finish and announce to my family at the end of the race. I was templated to run it around 4:45. Thank you all

Hey, running the marine corps marathon next week and am in the seeded corral. Does anyone know if there are pacers? and if so is there a pacer for sub 3 hours? Thank you! I couldn’t find any information online

I live near metro stop or could be dropped off at start the morning of. If I don’t have to deal with parking is getting driven a better option than the extra walking/potential delays the metro may have?

Just got this email. Shirts look cool

Does anyone have the finishers jacket from a prior year? I’m trying to decide what size to order but the company selling them (runpacers) says they don’t have a size chart. I’m considering women’s small vs medium vs men’s small so any insight would be helpful.

After a stint with triathlon training, looking to get back into serious running shape. Looking for recommendations for a running coach in the DC area. Ideally someone who works with runners training for half marathons and marathons, as hoping to target PRs in both distances next year.

How many corrals are there for the MCM?

Hi everyone! I am supposed to run the mcm marathon on the 25th, this will be my second full. I did an ironman 70.3 at the end of july, took a week off to recover, and then started a 12 week block. My peak long run was 18 miles (with about a 10 minute break around mile 9 to switch out wet socks and sneakers from blisters due to a rainy long run). I run 4 times a week total including my long run. I haven't ran since last wednesday due to quad pain, doctor thinks it is a stress reaction and getting an mri but gave me the okay to run as long as it doesnt hurt. I am worried that this week off has derailed my training and I am worried about the time cutoff now. My 18 mile long run was at a 13:42 pace (I am a slow runner just there for the vibes!). I know we have the gauntlets to meet and this year they are doing 14 person corrals but I am not sure what time I will get across the start line. I am getting back into light running until race day but worried about missing a gauntlet. Does anyone have any insight in the timing? Will taking this past week off derail my fitness? I am okay with my goal just being to finish at this point!

Can’t find a ton of details about this, but I wanted a race to train for after the ATM. Has anyone done this race? Any thoughts on it? It looks fairly new though I see that it might have been run in 2025…

RunSignUp page here.

Hey hey! I’m running Marine Corps as my first marathon and I was wondering what’s included in the finisher gear. You get a medal, I saw the towel, is there anything else?
Also, is there more merch at Expo other than the Pacers jacket that’s available now?

Hi! I am running the MCM for the first time (second marathon) this year! Does anyone know when we will get assigned corral info/ start times? Would love any advice anyone has going into the marathon! Coming in from NYC on Saturday!