Course Map
Route based on 2025 course — may differ slightly from this year.
About this Race
The Marine Corps Marathon, known as "The People's Marathon," is among the largest races in the world to offer no prize money, organized and staffed by U.S. Marines through the monuments of Washington, D.C., and Arlington. The rolling course passes the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol, the National Mall, and the Potomac, with the notorious "Beat the Bridge" cutoff at the 14th Street Bridge looming around mile 20 to sweep up slower runners. Held in late October, it has no qualifying standard and draws a hugely patriotic field, many running in tribute or for charity. The terrain undulates enough to require respect, and the emotional Iwo Jima Memorial finish is famously steep. It suits runners drawn to meaning, ceremony, and service over speed, in a race built around its participants rather than its elites.
Course Insight
Known as 'The People's Marathon,' the Marine Corps event runs Washington's monuments with a distinctive emotional and logistical edge. The early miles roll before the course opens onto the Mall, and the Blue Mile honouring fallen service members is a quietening, moving stretch. The defining hazard is 'beating the bridge': you must reach the 14th Street Bridge around mile 20 by a set cutoff or be pulled, and that long, exposed, spectator-thin crossing is where many runners hit the wall alone. Then the course saves a sting for last, an uphill finish to the Iwo Jima Memorial. Pace to arrive at the bridge with margin and legs, not just hope.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to tough late hills.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 220m
- Elevation loss
- 205m
- Highest point
- 71m
- Lowest point
- 2m
- Net drop
- -15m
- Start
- Arlington, Virginia (near the Pentagon)
- Cutoff time
- 7h 0m
Course Records
Race History
The Marine Corps Marathon was first held in 1976, organized and staffed by the U.S. Marine Corps through the monuments of Washington, D.C., and Arlington. Known as "The People's Marathon," it became one of the largest races in the world to offer no prize money, with no qualifying standard and a strongly patriotic, charity-driven spirit. Famous participants have included Oprah Winfrey, who completed it in 1994 and helped inspire a wave of recreational marathoners. Run each October, it continues to draw tens of thousands of finishers to its monument-lined course.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Reagan Washington National (DCA) and Dulles (IAD), Baltimore/Washington (BWI)
- Best area to stay
- Arlington and Crystal City for proximity to the start, finish and host hotels, downtown DC for landmark-side stays on the course, and Old Town Alexandria for charming riverside hotels a short Metro away.
- Getting to the start
- The start is near the Pentagon; take the Metro (Blue/Yellow line) to Pentagon or Rosslyn early, as the area is tightly secured and roads close.