Marine Corps Marathon 2009 - Washington, DC

The Marine Corps Marathon, the annual race known as the “The People’s Marathon” brings together runners from all walks of life to participate in a patriotic race and a day of family-friendly activities. The traditional Marine Corps Marathon course is 26.2 miles and a 10K race also allows runners of all ages to join in a shorter 6.2 mile event. The weekend includes additional events including a Health and Fitness Expo, the Healthy Kids Fun Run, Crystal Run (a festival in Crystal City), and the Marine Corps Marathon Finish Festival.

Marathon Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009. Start Time: 7:50 a.m.
Registration: Runners from across the country and around the world can register on a first come, first served basis beginning at noon eastern on April 1. The race field is limited to 30,000 participants and is expected to fill up quickly. An $88 registration fee includes all race materials, bib, mock neck participant shirt, goodie bag, a three month subscription to Runners World, courtesy of Saturn and single use souvenir commemorative chip. Runners will also receive a free subscription to the online virtual trainer, designed by Olympian Jeff Galloway. Participants will opt-in for daily or weekly emails featuring training tips to achieve a variety of finish time goals, plus health, fitness and nutrition messages.

See Photos of the Marine Corps Maration

Transportation and Parking

Metro: Service begins at 5 a.m. Participants should use the Pentagon Station to enter Runner's Village in the Pentagon North Parking lot. Spectators can take Metro to the Arlington Cemetery Station to view the start, or the Rosslyn Station to view the finish.

Shuttles: Pre-race shuttles will run from 23rd & Crystal Drive to the Pentagon North Parking Lot beginning at 5:30 a.m. Post-race shuttles will be available at the base of the Finish Festival on Lynn Street and 19th Street and will go to the Vienna Metro Station, 23rd & Crystal Drive in Crystal City, the Pentagon Metro Station and Metro Center Station in DC.

Parking: Free parking is available in Crystal City at the corner of 23rd & Crystal Drive. Pre-race shuttle service will run from this parking location to Runner's Village beginning at 5:30 a.m. Free parking is also available at all metro stations.

Marathon Course

The Marine Corps Marathon starts in Arlington, VA, and winds its way through Rosslyn along Lee Highway before turning on Spout Run and the George Washington Memorial Parkway. After crossing the Key Bridge into Georgetown, the course returns to the Palisades Community for a scenic view of Canal Road, and then travels down M Street, turning on Wisconsin Avenue and then K Street. The course will then pass the Kennedy Center and take runners into Hains Point at approximately the halfway point of the race. Afterwards, runners pass the Jefferson Memorial before entering the National Mall and pass numerous monuments, memorials and landmarks, such as, the Lincoln, FDR, Korean War and Vietnam Veteran's memorials, the Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol.

Runners return to Virginia via the 14th Street Bridge. For the final miles, runners will return past the Pentagon and along Route 110 before reaching the legendary Marine Corps War Memorial finish line.

See a map of the Marathon Route

Marine Corps Marathon 10K

Sunday, October 25, 2009, 8:30 a.m.
Runners will take their mark in the North Pentagon parking lot. After the start gun fires, they will quickly meet up with the MCM course and run through the sights and sounds of Crystal City. Then, participants will circle back towards the Pentagon on Route 110, following it all the way to Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn. The final stretch takes runners back towards the Marine Corps War Memorial to cross the finish line.

Marine Corps Marathon Weekend Events

Health and Fitness Expo
Washington Convention Center
Friday and Saturday October 23 & 24, 2009, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
More than 200 booths and interactive centers provide information about health and fitness issues. Race participates must attend to pick up their race materials: the participant bib number, safety pins, souvenir single-use ChampionChip, a commemorative MCM patch, and a goodie bag including special giveaways. A speaker series on Friday and Saturday offers tips on health and fitness and historical information about the Marine Corps Marathon.

Healthy Kids Fun Run
Saturday, October 24, 2009, noon.
Note: This is a new location. North Pentagon parking lot in Arlington, Virginia. Children ages 6-13 are invited to participate in the one-mile just-for-fun event. Pre-registration is required. Entry Fee: $2. Participants will receive a t-shirt, goodie bag, medal and snacks at the finish line. Family fun, fitness and entertainment begin at 10 a.m.

Kid-Tastic Celebration in Crystal City
Sunday, October 25, 2009, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
18th and Crystal Drive, Crystal City, VA. There will be fun for the whole family with plenty of moon bounces, face painting, bubbles, balloon animals, circus performances, crafts, and live music featuring Milkshake, Rocknoceros and Oh Susannah!

Marine Corps Marathon Finish Festival
Sunday, October 25, 2009, 4:30 p.m.
Crystal Drive, near 23rd Street in Arlington, VA
Live music headlined by the Spin Doctors.

Official Website

www.marinemarathon.com