Event Details
City:
Arlington
Country:
United States
Region:
North America
Date:
Oct 25, 2026
Elevation Profile:
Hilly
Elevation Gain (meters):
240 m
Net Elevation (meters):
0 m
Race Size (runners):
40,000
Registration Details
Registration Status:
OPENING SOON
Registration Deadline:
Opens Apr 6, 2026
Until it sells out
Official Website:
Race Description
The Marine Corps Marathon starts in Arlington, Virginia, and follows a looped course through Arlington and Washington, D.C., passing many of the capital’s most iconic landmarks. Runners cross the Potomac River early in the race and run along the National Mall, passing sites such as the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and U.S. Capitol. The course then heads through Georgetown and along the Potomac River before returning to Virginia for the final miles. The route is run entirely on paved roads and is well known for its strong crowd support and patriotic atmosphere. Known as “The People’s Marathon,” it is widely regarded as one of the best marathons for beginners and is the largest marathon in the world that does not offer prize money. The elevation profile shows an early significant climb in the first 5 km, followed by long flatter sections and rolling terrain in the second half, with no sustained climbs late in the race.
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