Marine Corps Marathon Course + Spectating Tips
The Marine Corps Marathon was my first marathon in 2012, and I also ran it in 2014 and 2015. I lived in DC for over a decade, so any years I didn’t run, I went down to cheer, and it’s a race that will always be near and dear to my heart. If you’re not running, but you live in the DC area, I highly recommend going to spectate!
In addition to the marathon, there is also a 10K and a 50K. The 10K is a completely different course, but the 50K shares most of its route with the marathon.
Below are a few tips for the marathon [and 50K] course to help you run OR spectate your best race!
What to expect on race day for Marine Corps Marathon
There are no official corrals: This is one downside to the course, especially if you arrive late. There are signs with projected finish times to line up, but there is no enforcement. And because there is a strict cut-off time [more on that below], you’ll often have slower runners lining up in the front. You enter the start line area from the back of the corrals, so if you want to be toward the front, get there early to establish your spot. Otherwise, be prepared to dodge runners in the early miles.
There is a strict cut-off time. Runners must maintain a 14:00 pace [6:07 overall marathon time] and reach “the Gauntlet” [mile 17] by 12:33pm, and reach the start of the 14th Street bridge [mile 20] by 1:15pm to “Beat the Bridge.” If you don’t, you will be diverted from the course and won’t be recognized as an official finisher.
Water stations are every 2.5ish miles. If you are used to more frequent aid stations, or if it’s going to be a warm day, I highly recommend bringing your own hydration. Hydration packs HAVE been allowed in the past or you can bring a hand bottle. It’s been a bit warm and humid every year I’ve run it, so I’ve always brought my own hydration to supplement what’s on the course.
The 14th Street Bridge is tough. This part comes just after mile 20 of the course and it’s a slow, sneaky uphill – one that you may not realize you’re on until you wonder why it feels harder. There’s no cover, so if it’s sunny, you will feel the full effects of the sun. It’s also a quiet part of the course, in terms of spectators. Mentally prepare yourself for that to be a tough spot on the course, but when you get into Crystal City the crowds pick up again!
It’s not an easy course. I mean, it’s the MARINE CORPS Marathon - are we too surprised that it’s not an easy course? It’s not the hardest course I’ve run, but I’ve never gotten a PR at Marine Corps. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done – I’ve had many athletes PR the course. But I think it’s a tougher course – the combo of no organized corrals, the unpredictable nature of the weather [and DC is always a bit humid], fewer water stations, and some small [and not so small] hills all add up.
The last hill is brutal. No sugarcoating this one. The steepest hill of the course is at the very end – use your adrenaline to power up that last hill and you’ll see the finish line as soon as you get up it.
Be prepared to tear up at the “blue mile.” Around the mid-way point you’ll see pictures of fallen service members lining the course. This part of the course honors those who gave their lives for this country. The first time I ran MCM I had tears coming down my face, so if this sort of thing chokes you up, bring some tissues.
Enjoy the sights. You get to run through parts of Georgetown, past some of the monuments, and near the Capitol. There is usually a photographer near the Capitol, so be on the lookout to get a memorable race pic around that area.
*I also contributed to an article in the Washingtonian with a few additional tips – check it out here!
Other items worth noting about MCM weekend
Give yourself extra time to get through security on race day. It took me almost an hour to get through security one year, while another year it took only 20 minutes. If you’re an “arrive at the last minute” type of racer, aim to get there earlier so you’re not rushed [and start in the back of everyone].
This marathon is known as the “People’s Marathon” and there is no prize money for the top runners. While there are still a lot of fast finishers at the front, you won’t get the pro line-up like at other big races.
Tracking is not very accurate, so if you’re spectating, ask your runner(s) what approximate pace they’ll be running so you know when you need to arrive at spots to cheer.
Do not wear the race day shirt! This is true for any race - you haven’t trained in it, so don’t wear it for the first time on race day - but it’s even more important here because the race shirt is always a fleece-lined mock turtleneck. You will get very warm and it will be hard to take off mid-race. Save it for those cold winter runs!
Mile 20 of Marine Corps Marathon [2018]
Where to spectate at the Marine Corps Marathon
It’s easy to see your loved ones in multiple spots along the marathon course. Taking the Metro or biking are the easiest ways to get around. Below are a few ways to see runners in multiple spots, and here is the link to the official course.
Minimal effort with maximum impact: Start by going behind the Lincoln Memorial near the stairs [between miles 10-11]. Then walk toward Independence Ave to see runners between miles 15-17 [depending on how far you want to walk down Independence]. If you have the time, you can walk a little further down Independence to mile 20 to see runners before they head over the 14th Street bridge. It does get pretty busy on Independence Ave, but you should be able to find a spot to get to the front to see your runner(s). The closest metro stations are Foggy Bottom-GWU [orange, blue, silver lines] and Farragut North [red line].
Spectator Superstar: If you want to add a few more spots - after Independence Ave, hop on the train at Smithsonian or L’Enfant and take the blue line to Crystal City [mile 23]. Then jump back on the train and take it to Rosslyn OR take the shuttle from Crystal City [23rd Street] to get to the finish line area.
Hype it up in one spot: If you’d rather cheer with a group, there are a lot of running groups that have cheer spots along the course. The Pacers Georgetown store, November Project, and District Running Collective are three to check out that always have a large presence in one spot on the course. NE Trackclub, DC Run Crew, and others will likely have cheer spots along the course, as well as other running groups that have popped up in DC. These are great if you want to hang out with/meet other fun people in the running community! Check their social media accounts for where they’ll be stationed.
*As you are planning out your cheering strategy, remember to take into account how long it will take to get to each spot compared to how fast your people are running. The metro often has delays, so going to Crystal City after mile 20 might be a wasted trip depending on the speed of your runners.
Whether you’re running or cheering at Marine Corps, have fun and OORAH!