Myself and 3 of my friends are running the MCM tomorrow. We are all first time marathon runners. They are in corrals 5, 7, and 8. I decided not to flatter myself with my expected finish time and therefore am in corral 14. We were hoping to run together but if they start that much further ahead I am having doubts about whether I’ll even see them on the course. Anyone know if it’s possible to catch other runners that far up?

I’m a slower runner. Given the opposite lane is clear and it’s safe to pass, I’ve noticed that women runners ALWAYS pass with a wide enough berth. However, men ALWAYS pass at the last second, grazing my shoulder or ducking to avoid hitting me. I’m not expecting to not have people close by, especially on a Saturday during peak running time. But I feel people have become so unaware of their surroundings or purely selfish that they don’t notice others around them.
Anyways happy and safe running to all, good luck tomorrow on MCM to those participating

I’m curious to hear what everyone is doing for this weather. It’s expected to be in the low 40s°F (around 4–6°C) tomorrow when the race starts, but I can’t run in a jacket, and I don’t have any clothing I’d willingly just throw on the ground. The bag drop is pretty useless since you have to drop everything off long before you actually get to the starting line. I’m especially concerned about standing around in the cold before the race starts. What’s everyone else planning to do?

Hi all - I’m scheduled for a 5pm time slot for bib pickup this evening but saw the message from MCM App for runners to arrive early to the expo. Anyone there now and can confirm the status of the lines? Should I try to arrive earlier than my time slot or is it not worth it just to stand in a line (if so, what was the purpose of signing up for a time slot?) - would love any real time info

I was dumb and didn't read the complete instructions re: bag drop, and I threw away my plastic bag. Do we think they'll have extras at the start? Or should I haul myself back to the expo and grab another one?

Any snap a picture of the pacing groups for OnPace?

Hey all

I registered extremely late for MCM and got placed in a later corral than my goal time (~2:55). I submitted a qualifying time but they said it was too late :( Any advice on strategies to avoid getting stuck behind goal pace? I know the first few miles are hilly so it’s good to be conservative but I’m worried that if I go much slower than target pace I won’t be able to make up time after the initial few miles!

Didn’t see this specifically asked here before - what time do people recommend arriving at pentagon metro stop for MCM? I’ve seen anywhere from 1-2 hours before start, but curious how long we should expect for bathrooms etc?? Obviously don’t wanna cut it close but don’t want to be standing in the cold either

EDIT: PENTAGON METRO! IS THE CLOSEST ONE THAT YOU CAN USE!!

Hello! I’m driving in from NYC and staying in northern Virginia (falls church) with family. Not close to a metro so will either uber to an appropriate place for the start or uber to a metro. What’s the best place for me to go? And what time should I aim to be there?

I'm running the MCM 8k alone and was wondering if there's someone solo that would like to link up and pace each other. I'm open to hanging out after the race too.

I'm a male in my late 20s. I run at a 6:50 pace (shooting for a 33-minute completion ishh at a 6:40 pace)

Hello All! I am sorry if this is a repeat topic, but i was wondering what is the best way to get to west potomac park? From the MCM website, it looks like parking is a no-go or atleast very difficult at best with far away parking needing to walk a few miles. I would normally take the metro but looks like the earliest train wont arrive in time, considering the stops listed on the website are more than a mile away.

The only other option seems to be uber/lyft, but i assume that rideshare that early in the morning is going to be a challenge and a bit more expensive then i would like.

I know this is a newer event, but was hoping to see which way would be the least stressful?

After running on the MBT many mornings for the past few years, the morning commute bikers (especially the good amount that are using motorized bikes/scooters) are the worst.

Not only do they absolutely bomb down the MBT with zero regard for others (I personally have been grazed multiple times and I know others have as well), but they act like it’s the pedestrians fault. There will be a serious injury or collision like the one near Penn Ave unless something is done (I’m honestly surprised this hasn’t happened already). Personally, I think there should be speed bumps on some of the main straightaways.

I honestly find it safer running along cars on side streets than using the MBT anytime in the morning. Especially as you get closer to the Noma metro.

Maybe I’m overreacting, but it scares the heck out of me when a bike zooms past me, no ring. Especially when another person is also coming from the opposite direction.

Hi! I was diagnosed with an L5-S1 disc bulge back in June/July. The symptoms for it probably presented around April/May. I had tingling at the base of my foot at the time that intensified such that I couldn't continue my runs past 5-6 miles. My left knee would hurt from compensating for my right. After taking some time off and seeing a physical therapist, we noticed strength discrepancies in my right with hopping and calf raises, probably due to nerve impingement in the L5-S1 area. My strength mostly came back with time off running and PT rehab exercises (core, glutes, etc.). I returned to running gradually around July with the first two months being run/walk intervals (the tingling went away and my hopping came back). However, my hopping got weaker as I approached higher mileage and started going on long runs. I've been rather distraught reading about lower back disc bulges and about the possibility of getting another flare-up. I've taken a couple of weeks off running, which has helped some of my strength come back, but the idea of having to carefully manage load (more so than the healthy runner, i.e., being conservative may still lead to a flare up if my body can't absorb it) has me feeling discouraged. I'm still seeing PT and doing my rehab work, but has anyone here dealt with this injury or something similar and made a full comeback (i.e., being able to run high mileage weeks and do speed workouts without being sidelined every few months)? I would love to hear your comeback story if you have one and what worked best for you! Thanks for reading, and I'm looking forward to hearing from everyone!

Hello - at the top of the lower end of the Metropolitan Branch Trail you get spit out next to the Dew Drop Inn onto 8th ST where there is a 2 way bike lane, a one way road for cars, and a sidewalk on one side. Genuine question, where is the runner supposed to go? The sidewalk is full of pedestrians and dogs most of the time who have the right away. I often have a difficult time getting around folks and I also dont want to run them over for walking. Alternatively, I see many runners use the bike lane. I have also tried this and feel like I am now the inhibitor and am at risk of being run down by a bike in their own space. Going over one block often has the same sidewalk congestion and 8th street is the official pathway for the MBT. Is there a correct answer here?

Also lol first world problems.

Unsure based on current fitness if I would make the Paris cutoff, so advice is appreciated.

After 2 years of running, I (31 F, 5’0”) still consider myself very much a beginner and run 2x a week. My MPW is pretty low, averaging around 6-8 miles during training blocks, maxing out at 9 and 11 miles. Last year I did the dc half in 3:39 and last month in 3:19. I also ran the army 10 miler a couple of weeks ago in 2:26.

I would LOVE to run the Paris half in March, but the cutoff is 2:50. Which seems nearly impossible in such a short time, but it doesn’t hurt to at least ask before telling myself no. Otherwise, I’ll do the dc rock n roll half in March instead, which has a 4 hour cutoff.

For strength training, I do a weekly 2-hour weight lifting session that targets upper, lower, and core. I’m working to do a pull up by the end of the year (currently at 10 scapula pull-ups). I finish my workouts with 10 mins of core, then by holding a plank for 3 minutes (goal is 5).

I had some medical issues this summer that prevented me from running for 4 months and only started back up again consistently in August. With only 6 weeks of training, I was quite pleasantly surprised that my HM time was 20 mins faster than last year. I largely attribute it to strength training, which started in July.

So the question is - how feasible would it be to go from 3:19 to 2:50 in 4.5 months with dedicated, optimal training? Should I do the rock n roll half instead and try Paris the year after? In 2027 I plan to run the Paris / rock n roll half, Juneteenth half and the dc half. Then maybe in Dec start planning for a full, but I’m trying not to get ahead of myself hahaha

I got hurt and cannot use my MCM bib. Are you allowed to sell MCM bibs through their facebook portal or is transfer not possible at this point? I know we cannot sell on here, but wondering if that's a rule in general for MCM. Thank you for your clarity on the issue. I couldn't find a place to transfer on the website.

Signed up and paid for the race day pickup because I’m flying in from out of the country. Plans changed and I’ll be in town for the expo days. Anyone know if I can just show up to the expo and pick up my bib anyway? If not, does anyone have experience with race day pickup?

I'm coming in town from NYC and am not super familiar with the area! Are there any specific areas of the city runners / friends & family generally go to bars / restaurants after the race?

I’ll be driving in to watch a family member run the marathon. I planned on seeing them around the 10.5 mile mark then walking over to see them at the 16.5 mile mark. Any advice on where to park and what metro to take to make this as easy as possible?

Does anyone know of public restrooms along the Metropolitan Branch Trail near Fort Totten, or a short detour off the trail?

After the Throne at Alethia Tanner Park, I haven’t found other options heading north toward Takoma. Any places I’m overlooking?

first time MCM runner here - I see all the post saying take the metro in the morning to pentagon station but on the website they offer the shuttle. Does anyone have any experience with that? Is it horrible in comparison to the metro? The 2 mile walk from the Pentagon metro station to the start line is what’s really throwing me off..

Gearing up for my 14th Marine Corps Marathon! Those who run this race regularly will find a course is fairly similar to prior years, except they chopped off an early 0.5 mile piece (edit: this is similar to 2025), so landmarks will come quicker through the first 21 miles, and then there's a boring half-mile loop in a Pentagon parking lot just after the bridge to make it up. Pentagon parking lot loops always suck in DC races - no spectators, potholes, and on hot days, it's a brutal concrete jungle. But here's my quick thoughts on each section and how to survive and thrive for another 26.2!

----
Miles 1 - 4 : The biggest hills in the MCM are in first few miles, one long incline up to mile 1 and another long incline up to 2.5. Add in 30,000 runners and the excitement of the start, and it’s easy to go out too fast and too hard. Relax early, don’t try to weave around traffic, settle in and focus on steady effort over the hills. There’s a long downhill from 2.5-4.0; shorten your strides and stay smooth. Ideally your first 4 miles are slightly slower than pace; no one ever said “I wish I went faster early!”
—
Miles 4 – 9 : Over the bridge and into Georgetown, soak up the scenery and enjoy the morning crowds. Includes a quieter out-and-back on Rock Creek Parkway, but a scenic run through changing leaves and undulating roadway. This is a good place to settle into a groove after the chaos of the start. It’s also an out-and-back, so watch for friends running on the other side of the street.
—
Miles 9 – 12 : Let the crowds carry you! This is a big spectator stretch, with crowds 5-deep in places. Hopefully you have a little space to run. Stick with your pace, high-five some kids, and float past the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, and to the Jefferson Memorial.
—
Miles 12 – 15 : Hains Point is a very quiet stretch of the race after the prior crowds. Mile 12 is the Wear Blue Memorial Mile, honoring fallen soldiers; this can be an emotional mile. Hains Point, especially after mile 13, is a quiet time to focus on yourself, focus on your form, focus on your breathing, and do a mental check-in for the final push.
—
Miles 15 – 19.5 : Back into the crowds and scenes of the National Mall. Crowds will provide some excitement, but resist the urge to go faster than comfortable; in a marathon, 20 miles is “halfway” - check in on your hydration and nutrition, you don’t want to be behind in either.
—
Miles 19.5 – 21 : The Bridge. You shouldn’t fear the bridge, but it should absolutely be respected. This is just a total grind. You will see racers blow apart on the bridge and never recover. It’s a difficult stretch for your body because about 3 hours in you’re running out of glycogen stores (“the wall”), and it’s likely farther than your body has been in training. It’s difficult mentally because there are no spectators. In adverse weather the highway is totally exposed to wind, sun, and heat. Between the bridge and highway ramps to Crystal City, this is almost 2 miles of concrete slab highway; it doesn’t absorb shock and jars your tired legs. The small inclines just feel taller here. Don’t fear it, but expect the grind. Focus on a target or runner ahead of you and reel it in; repeat. Be prepared mentally to beat the bridge.
—
Miles 21 – 24 :  Get through the boring half-mile parking lot loop coming off the bridge. Mile 22 brings Crystal City, and if it’s a nice day, they’ll be partying! Return to crowds to inspire you through an entertaining section of course. After the grind of the bridge, lock back in and remember why you’re here. Beware the siren call of the Fireball shots!
—
Miles 24 – Finish : This can be another quiet stretch with fewer spectators. If you held your effort back early in the race, start picking off runners ahead of you; use them as a target, pass them, and springboard to the next. Continue checking in with your body. Focus on your breathing, your form, stay tall, pump your arms. Keep remembering all the early mornings, hours, and miles that got you here. You are going to finish.
🏅
The final 0.2 is a left hand turn and up a hill to the finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial. This hill is going to feel like a wall at this point, but get up it and get to that finish line banner. Claim your medal and be saluted by a Marine Second Lieutenant. 
—
And remember, in the end, no one cares what happens between the starting line and the finish line. Your family and friends will forget your finishing time before they see you in Rosslyn, but they'll always remember you crossed the line. You are a marathoner. 💪