🇺🇸Washington DC, USA
Marine Corps Marathon
Oct 25, 2026
Distance
42.2 km
Elevation gain
195 m
Terrain
Road
Entry type
Lottery
PB potential
Technical or hilly — come for the experience, not the time
Beginner friendly
Great for newcomers — manageable course, strong support
About this race
Organised by the US Marine Corps, this Washington DC classic earns its nickname 'The People's Marathon' as the fourth-largest marathon in the USA and one that accepts no prize money — it's run for the love of it. The course passes the Lincoln Memorial, Pentagon, Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, and the Iwo Jima Memorial at the finish — a setting that makes emotional finishes the norm rather than the exception. The 195m of elevation is mostly manageable except for the notorious 'Beat the Bridge' cutoff at the 14th Street Bridge (runners who fall behind pace are pulled from the course). October temperatures are reliably cool at 10–16°C. Marine discipline means meticulous organisation, reliable aid stations, and an atmosphere of genuine national pride.
Typical race-day weather
Temperature
10–17°C
Humidity
55–70%
Conditions
Crisp autumn — one of the most reliable race-day climates on the US calendar
Wind
10–20 km/h
Pace Band
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