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Marine Corps Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Arlington, VA, USA
- Race Date: 10/25/2026
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Ultra Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Marine Corps Marathon Description
The Marine Corps Marathon, known as “The People’s Marathon,” is a Boston qualifying race run each fall through Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The loop course passes iconic landmarks including the National Mall, the U.S. Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial before a legendary finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial, better known as the Iwo Jima Memorial. Organized and hosted by U.S. Marines, the race combines patriotic pageantry with a genuinely scenic tour of the nation’s capital, drawing tens of thousands of runners as one of the largest marathons in the country.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Marine Corps Marathon Additional Details:
What sets the finish here apart isn’t the memorial itself, it’s who’s waiting there: up to 250 active-duty Marines, freshly commissioned second lieutenants from The Basic School in Quantico, personally place the finisher medal around each runner’s neck. Runners call the final uphill push to the memorial “taking the Iwo,” and the wall of Marines cheering along that last climb turns an exhausted final mile into a genuine emotional finish. Those who want a lasting personal touch can add a custom iTAB insert to the medal afterward, commemorating a specific mile marker, name, or tribute. Few marathons anywhere hand over the medal as a form of recognition quite this literal, and it’s the moment most finishers remember longest.
Course Information
Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 7 hours
# of Finishers
Marathon: 30,127
Ultramarathon: 1,200+
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 699 ft (213 m)
Elevation Loss: 666 ft (203 m)
Average Temperature
- Low: 49°F
- High: 67°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Things to Do in Arlington, VA, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Landmark
Arlington National Cemetery
Walk the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and JFK’s gravesite — a solemn, flat, and deeply moving stop near the city.
Outdoors & Trails
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Cross a footbridge onto this wooded island sanctuary in the Potomac, with flat, easy trails past marshland and a memorial grove — a peaceful, low-impact walk for tapering runners.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Smithsonian’s National Zoo
See pandas, elephants, and more than 3,000 animals at this free Smithsonian zoo just across the river in DC — an easy, stroller-friendly walk for a rest day.
Shopping
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
Browse more than 140 stores and restaurants under one roof at this Pentagon City shopping center — an easy, air-conditioned option with minimal walking required after race day.
Arts & Culture
Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
Browse rotating exhibits of new work by regional mid-Atlantic artists at this nonprofit contemporary art space — a relaxed, indoor way to spend a rest day after race weekend.
Food & Drink
Origin Coffee Lab and Kitchen
Recharge with expertly brewed coffee from five global origins at this Arlington café’s six brewing methods — a low-key, casual stop for race-morning fuel or post-race recovery.
Sports & Entertainment
MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Catch a public skate session or watch the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals practice at their official training facility in Ballston — a relaxed, seated-friendly outing for tired legs.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Gravelly Point Park
Watch planes roar in low over the Potomac at this flat riverside park with sweeping DC skyline views — an easy, grassy spot to relax before or after race day.
Museums & History
DEA Museum
This free downtown museum traces the history of drug enforcement in America through interactive exhibits — an easy, air-conditioned stop for recovering legs on race weekend.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Marine Corps Marathon
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