Marine Corps Archives

Marine Corps Marathon 101

September 1, 2025

Your go-to spot for all things Marine Corps Marathon, one of the largest marathons in the US and the world, nicknamed “The People’s Marathon.” 2025 will mark the event’s 50th anniversary!

1. Pre-Race Zoom Call

With the Marine Corps Marathon coming up soon, we’re bringing veterans and first-timers together to ask questions, share insights and build some excitement heading into race weekend!

Join our drop-in Zoom call on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 at 7:00 pm EST where first-time Marine Corps runners can get answers from athletes and coaches who have run this race before.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/s/3883695228

If you think you can make it, or want to submit a question in advance, email your host TRR coach Elaina Raponi at [email protected].

Can’t make the call? We’ll record the call and share the link in the following week’s newsletter.

2. Marine Corps Marathon Race Intel

Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025

Location: Arlington, Virginia

Start: Arlington, between the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery

Finish: U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial

Course type: Loop; take a look at this great, interactive course map

Boston Qualifier: Yes

Elevation gain: 699 feet/ 213 meters

Elevation loss: 666 feet/ 203 meters

Temperature:

Average high : 64°F/ 17°C
Average low: 46° F/ 7°C

Tips from Coaches

“Miles 20–22 (14th Street Bridge) feel endless. There are no spectators, the pavement is hot and there is little shade – prepare yourself mentally and physically for this tough stretch of the course” – Coach Leah Pan

“The finish at Iwo Jima has a sharp incline. Save a little energy to power up for your strong finish photo!” – Coach Leah Pan

”Mile 20 is tough at every race — at thMarine Corps, there’s a sneaky hill that won’t look like much but you’ll feel it. Because it’s around mile 20, this can lead many runners to think they’re bonking. Push those thoughts aside, push through this tough and quiet section of the course, and you’ll be just fine!” – Coach Nicole Thome

*Marine Corps Marathon elevation map. PC: marinecorpsmarathon.com*

3. Race Reports

Want even more intel on the marathon? Read some of the race reports from Team RunRun coaches:

Marine Corps Marathon Race Report – Navindra G.

Marine Corp Marathon and 50k Race Info

4. Shakeout Run

Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD

All paces are welcome and the more the merrier! Feel free to bring a friend, even if they’re not a Team RunRun athlete!

5. Marine Corps Marathon Coaching Info

At Team RunRun, we have 100s of wonderful, experienced coaches ready to help you crush your goals, regardless of your ability, budget, or lifestyle. Specifically, for Marine Corps Marathon race advice, here are some coaches to start with:

In addition, see the official race website here for even more information.

Above all, good luck!

Marine Corps Marathon Race Report – Navindra G

August 12, 2020November 6, 2019

Race: 44th Marine Corps Marathon

Runner: Navindra G

Race Date: 10/27/2019

Location: Arlington, Virginia

Results: Finished! 5:59:23

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/aa70UVrNd1

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Race was well organized and staffed for having over 50,000 people. Expo had lots of vendors and was quite efficient in getting runners their packets. Spectators filled the entire route and there was a whole mile dedicated to honoring fallen soldiers.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Weather was rough with a lot of warm rain, followed by heat.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Had to run through standing water at one point.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I finished, training has been rough the past couple months and I am glad I withdrew from the Javelina 100k and got a bib transfer for this marathon. I did love finishing at the Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Totally worth running, very enjoyable and you can buy bib transfers in September if you don’t get through the lottery.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Nothing in particular, need stronger prep for next year but then again I would have been doing a 100k.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Hillier than the profile makes it to be.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Beautiful course through northern Virginia and DC.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Nope, good course for a marathon, though probably not a PR one.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Huge well oiled machine! Marines did a great job, way better than the army 10 miler.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It’s a huge field so runners of all levels to run with

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Nope but if you are coming from out of town make hotel reservations early. Would recommend lodging near the metro.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Gatorade and water (never ran out of Gatorade). Honey Stinger gels, Sport Beans, oranges at a few feed zones.

Weather and typical race conditions

It was wet! Like running through 6 inches of standing water at times.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

Nope.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Very friendly, spectators can use metro to cheer you on at multiple points. Very easy for spectators to access with public transportation.

How’s the Swag?

Great medal and shirt.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 stars for a large marathon with a LOT of people.

Marine Corps Marathon 50K Race Report – Robert H

August 12, 2020November 5, 2019

Race: Marine Corps Marathon 50K

Runner: Robert H

Race Date: 10/27/2019

Location: Washington DC

Results: 6:44:26 / https://events.hakuapp.com/events/1405901239e66d083c42/live_tracking#results

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/2822507207

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

-1st ever Marine Corp Marathon 50K and the medal was great. And it is pretty awesome as I think it set the record for the largest urban ultra marathon.
-The organization is just solid – one doesn’t have to worry.
-The weather stunk, but it means that I’ll never forget this race and gives plenty to commiserate about afterwards.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The 50k started before the marathon. This put about 1700 runners in front of the hand cyclists. They easily caught us and while the runners tried to clear a path, it created a dangerous situation, especially with the wet conditions. I watched one participant lose a brake and steering on a downhill, hit a runner, bounce on a curb and flip. I guess the good news is there were to help him, but I have to wonder…The 50k does an out and back 4.8 miles from the marathon course. So when the marathon runners are at mile 5ish, the 50k runners are at mile 10ish. the marathon starts 25 minutes after the 50k. Net result: when I rejoined the marathon course, I ended up in a group of runners that were slower than the pace that I had been averaging. This resulted in a lot of weaving for several hours (I’m slow) until it completely opened up in the final couple of miles. I suspect this wasn’t as bad for the faster people on the 50k, but not sure.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

My spouse ran the marathon. She stayed at the end and waited. I was able to text her and she was there when the Marine presented my finisher medal. It was awesome to share that. I set goals to stop and smile and take selfies. That was critical to my finishing the race as the weather rapidly made all my hopes of going fast for me disappear in rain, wind, and then, heat and humidity. And, getting my beer at mile 28 – thank you to those Hash House Harriers!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

I’ve done the Marine Corps Marathon several times. If you aren’t dropping a bag, entering from the Rosslyn side is easier than from the Pentagon side to get to the start. This is especially true for the 50k.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I needed more salt. Think I might have mugged someone for a potato chip if I could have moved fast enough by the end. Post-race the legs are recovering fast and I have Josh Fields training plans and encouragement to thank for that. Doing the long slow distance is paying off. I could even walk down steps forward after the race.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The start of the 10k course is on the national mall. There is never a line for a portapotty there.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It is hard to beat the sites – even in the rain.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

I find the toughness to be very weather dependent and the weather is hard to predict.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

This was the first time that I’ve ever seen the front of the field and that is because there is an out and back for the 50k and the marathon winner passed me so I have no idea.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

The 50k had an open window that was first come first serve. It sold out fast and I would bet next year there will be a lottery or something else.

Weather and typical race conditions

Rain from 6am until 10-11 including some torrential downpours. Followed by sun (and humidity from evaporating rain).

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

This is a great course for spectators.

How’s the Swag?

Cool medal and best shirt in several years. 50K and MCM were different.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 stars and I plan on being back.

Marine Corp Marathon and 50k Race Info

February 10, 2022August 24, 2019

Summary: The Marine Corp Marathon and 50k are run in the Fall each year in Arlington, VA, usually bringing large crowds and fairly unpredictable weather, but the energy of the races and the finish line are unforgettable.

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

Expect crowds throughout the race weekend – from packet pickup, to transportation, to the race. Lots of runners and spectators throughout
The race ends with .2 miles of uphill, so be mentally prepared
Even with it being in late October, temps can still be quite warm
If you train on relatively flat terrain, the course will likely feel hilly
It can be a fairly emotional race given the ties to the Marines, especially mile 12, the Blue Mile, which honors fallen soldiers
Getting to the start on public transportation can be tough with so many people trying to use transit and with it not starting very early in the morning
It’s a fairly long walk from public transportation to the runner’s village and start corral – about 1 mile
Miles 18-20 of the marathon can get a bit lonely, while the rest of the course is quite crowded
While there is an overall cutoff time, there are a couple of cutoff times throughout the race as well, where they’ll direct runners a different way and not give an official finish time

Course

Type: Point to Point with one big loop and several out and backs within the bigger loop

Start/Finish Info: The 50k course will follow the marathon course across the Key Bridge and divert at mile 4.5 for an out-and-back along Canal Road. There, the 50k course rejoins the marathon and continues onto the finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial.

Hills: Biggest hill is in the first 2 miles, gain of ~200 feet; total gain of ~900 feet in the marathon

Course Maps/Elevation

Aid stations

13 water points and 11 aid stations for the 50k, and the marathon shares all but the first of the 50k’s water and aid stations. Water and Gatorade at each stop.

Oranges at mile 7, Honey Stingers between miles 12 and 13 and near mile 23, and Jelly Belly Sports Beans around mile 19