WELCOME TO Washington DC, USA
Come and join us to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Marine Corps Marathon and the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
Recognized for impeccable organization on an iconic course managed by the US Marines in Arlington, VA and the nation’s capital, the Marine Corps Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the US and the world. Known as ‘the best marathon for beginners,’ the MCM is the largest marathon in the world that doesn’t offer prize money, earning its nickname, “The People’s Marathon.”
Travelling Fit is excited to be offering the Marine Corps Marathon as a package this year with the choice of either a 5 Day/4 Night Marathon package (recommended) or a 4 Day/3 Night Marathon package, both of which include guaranteed race entry in the marathon.
Also note that the 5 Day/4 Night package option includes a warm up run towards the beautiful tracks of Theodore Roosevelt Island as well as a guided city tour with a drop-off at the Expo.
- Packages Include
4 DAY / 3 NIGHT PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Guaranteed Race Entry (runners only)
- 3 Nights’ Accommodation:
Check in: Fri 24 Oct 2025
Check out: Mon 27 Oct 2025 - Meet and Greet Function (Saturday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Post Marathon Celebration (Sunday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Travelling Fit experts available daily in Washington DC to answer any questions
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Invite to Travelling Fit’s Marine Corps Marathon Closed Facebook Group
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Service Charges & taxes
5 DAY / 4 NIGHT PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES:
- 4 Nights’ Accommodation:
Check in: Thu 23 Oct 2025
Check out: Mon 27 Oct 2025 - Warm Up Run to Theodore Roosevelt Island (Friday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Half Day Washington DC City Tour with drop off at the expo (Friday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
The Course
The course, which varies slightly from year to year, starts in Arlington, Virginia, on Route 110 and winds its way through Rosslyn along Langston Boulevard before turning on Spout Run and the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
After crossing Key Bridge into Georgetown, the course guides runners down popular M Street in Georgetown. Runners then turn on Wisconsin Avenue and then K Street before looping under K street onto Rock Creek Parkway.
The course proceeds approximately 2.5 miles north on Rock Creek Parkway before turning back, then passing the Kennedy Centre. Runners then pass the back of the Lincoln Memorial before continuing on Ohio Drive into East Potomac Park’s Hains Point at the halfway mark.
On Independence Avenue, competitors run by the newly unveiled Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial and FDR Memorial. The runners loop back along Independence Avenue on the side closest to the National Mall and the Korean War Veterans Memorial and National World War II Memorial before making a left turn onto 15th Street at the Washington Monument.
At Madison Drive, runners pass the north side of the National Mall, running by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History and the National Gallery of Art. After a loop around the reflecting pool in front of the U.S. Capitol, runners continue along the south side of the National Mall past the Smithsonian Castle. Runners move along Jefferson Drive and turn onto the 14th Street to marathon’s “Beat the Bridge” checkpoint at mile 20 before returning to Virginia via the 14th Street Bridge.
For the last 10 kilometres, runners enjoy the colour and energy of Crystal City in Arlington County, Virginia. At The Pentagon, runners pass in close proximity to the Pentagon Memorial honouring the victims of 9/11. Finally, the course unfurls alongside the Arlington National Cemetery then offers a final, up-hill challenge to the finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial. This finish has remained unchanged since the inaugural running of the MCM in 1976.
Testimonials
Race Information
Entry Fees
All entry fees are included in the cost of your Marine Corps Marathon package.
Qualifying Times
There are no qualifying times for this event, however you MUST be at least 14 years old on race day to be eligible to compete.
Start Time
7:20am
Cut-Off Times
The Marine Corps Marathon has strict cut off times, including “Gauntlets” at specific locations and times, and a general 14-minute per mile pace requirement to ensure a timely finish.
Here’s a breakdown of the Marine Corps Marathon cut off times and pace requirements:
General Pace: Runners must maintain a pace of approximately 14 minutes per mile.
Gauntlets:
- DC Gauntlet (Independence Avenue and 15th Street): Runners must pass through by 12:33 p.m.
- Beat the Bridge Gauntlet (14th Street Bridge): Runners must reach the intersection of 14th and D Streets before the 14th Street Bridge by 1:15 p.m.
- Crystal City Gauntlet (12th Street South and Long Bridge Drive): Runners must pass through by 1:49 p.m.
Race Timing
All runners will be electronically timed and your time will start when you cross the starting line.
Race Packets
Your race packet will contain your official bib with timing device and MCM technical competitor shirt.
It must be picked up in person at the MCM Expo.
Packet Pick-up is not available on event morning.
Pace Setters
There will be a pacer for the following times for the Marine Corps Marathon:
The pace groups for the MCM will be updated soon.
Aid Stations
Nuun Endurance: Lemon Lime flavor This link will open in a new tab will be available on course at all water points.
There will be 12 designated water stations and 10 designated Aid stations.
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
To Be Confirmed
Expo
The Marine Marine Corps Marathon Expo takes place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Centre.
Address:
201 Waterfront Street
Fort Washington
MD 20745
Opening hours are:
Friday 24 October – 10am – 8pm
Saturday 25 October – 10am – 6pm
Finishes T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All finishers who complete the race inside the cut-off time will receive a finishers medal and finishers shirt.
Weather Conditions
The average temperature in October is 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit).
