Marine Corps Marathon guide

Sun, Oct 25, 2026 · Arlington, VA, USA · Start 7:55 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
The start (near the Pentagon) and finish (Marine Corps War Memorial) are both in Arlington, Virginia.
Convenient areas to stay
Rosslyn and Crystal City in Arlington are close to Metro and the course. The expo has been at the Gaylord National Resort.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date and start time come from the official site but haven't been re-checked for this edition. Aid station mile markers are approximate.
Plan around before race morning
  • Metro is strongly recommended: Rosslyn for the start, Arlington Cemetery or Rosslyn after.
  • The GW Parkway and Route 110 close early.
  • Budget time for the trip to the expo venue.

Sources for Marine Corps Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
United States Marine Corps
Date
Sun, Oct 25, 2026
Distance
Marathon
Start time
7:55 AM
Start location
Arlington, Virginia near the Pentagon
Finish location
Marine Corps War Memorial
Official race website

Verification date unavailable. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 1–2 · +79 ft
  • Mile 2–3 · +69 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 · +44 ft

Significant descents

  • Mile 3–4 · −91 ft
  • Mile 2–3 · −61 ft
  • Mile 1–2 · −41 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +19 / −21 ft · Course totals ≈ 669 ft gain / 669 ft loss (source: RoutePrinter; organizer publishes no totals).
  • Mile 1–2 +79 / −41 ft · Rolling hills in the early Arlington miles.
  • Mile 2–3 +69 / −61 ft
  • Mile 3–4 +39 / −91 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 5–6 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 8–9 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 10–11 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 11–12 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 13–14 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 14–15 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 16–17 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 19–20 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 21–22 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 22–23 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 23–24 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +19 / −21 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 +44 / −4 ft · Short, steep uphill finish to the Marine Corps War Memorial.

Aid stations

  • Mile 2

    First station — heavy congestion, take fluid on the far side.

  • Mile 4

  • Mile 6

  • Mile 8

    GEL

    Gels available just past the tables.

  • Mile 10

  • Mile 12

  • Mile 14

    GEL

  • Mile 16

  • Mile 18

    GEL

    Last full-service station before the closing miles.

  • Mile 20

  • Mile 22

    GEL

  • Mile 23

  • Mile 25

    GEL

    Final fluids before the finish chute.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Bib worn visibly on the front. Photo ID and a signed waiver are required at packet pickup; no race-day pickup. Headphones are permitted but discouraged. Security screening applies at the start and finish areas — bring only a clear bag.
Cutoff times
Runners must reach the 14th Street Bridge (approximately mile 20) within 5 hours 30 minutes of the start; the overall course limit is approximately 7 hours.
Transportation
Metro is strongly recommended — Rosslyn station for the start, Arlington Cemetery or Rosslyn after the finish. Extensive closures on the GW Parkway and Route 110 from early morning.
Other notes
Course, aid station, expo and hotel details are compiled from published race information and are not yet officially verified — confirm timings and logistics with the organizer before race weekend. Aid station mile markers are approximate — official locations are only published on the organizer's course map; check it before race day.

Verification date unavailable. Source

Race week & expo

  • Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center

    201 Waterfront St, National Harbor, MD

    Fri, Oct 23, 202610:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Sat, Oct 24, 20269:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Packet pickup
    Packet, bib and shirt collected together. Attendance at the expo is mandatory — nothing is mailed and there is no race-morning pickup.
    ID requirements
    Government-issued photo ID required for every runner. Authorised third-party pickup requires a completed form.
    Parking
    Paid garage parking at National Harbor; expect long queues on the final day.
    Transit
    Water taxi from Old Town Alexandria or shuttle bus from Huntington Metro.

    Verification date unavailable. No source on file.

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

Running Marine Corps Marathon? Build your full race weekend.

Plan your race weekend
See a sample race weekend