Marine Corps Marathon
Marine Corps Marathon
Marine Corps Marathon
4.5
About
One of the nation's biggest marathons, the Marine Corps Marathon takes a scenic route through parts of Virginia and the nation's capital, Washington DC. Known as "The People's Marathon", it is open to runners of all types, great for beginners, and discourages competition by offering no cash prizes. Participation is key, but even if you're not a runner, you can have plenty of fun cheering on the sidelines. There's a the pep rally, a health and fitness expo, and the excitable atmosphere created by vendors, interactive displays, and giveaways. Runners can time their miles, and are welcome indulge in a healthy runner's brunch to brace against the October weather.
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- L'Enfant Plaza • 1 min walk
- Federal Center SW • 8 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
18 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
5
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
drmomAlabama
alabama29 contributions
Oct 2019
Inspirational...well run for the huge crowd of runners and spectators...traffic flow for spectators is difficult but logistically I can't see a way to improve on that. Runners expo is great too
Written 30 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mkceak
Boynton Beach, FL49 contributions
Oct 2019
Inspirational. Marines completely decked out everywhere running security. No prize money. Watch at the Lincoln memorial to see runners pass 3 times. In awe of those running, particularly those in wheel chairs and mostly by those running a marathon to push those in wheelchairs that aren’t able to propel themselves.
Written 27 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffery M
Wellington, FL63 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
Marines I salute you. I went with my wife for her second Marine Corp Marathon.
What an amazing event. Well planned, hugely attended, extremely safe, and down right spectacular.
The expo at Gaylord Palms was perfect.
The security by the Pentagon was perfect, The Marines were true to form approachable. Professional and to say the least they made me proud to be an American, even more than I already am. Thank you for a job well done
What an amazing event. Well planned, hugely attended, extremely safe, and down right spectacular.
The expo at Gaylord Palms was perfect.
The security by the Pentagon was perfect, The Marines were true to form approachable. Professional and to say the least they made me proud to be an American, even more than I already am. Thank you for a job well done
Written 6 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon F
Virginia Beach, VA10 contributions
Nov 2018
Overall a good marathon to participate in.
Packet pickup wan't terrible and picking up your packet itself was easier than I've experienced before, but be prepared for traffic getting to the expo (it is DC after all). The expo was a madhouse and couldn't get out soon enough.
The morning of the race the Metro was easy to navigate, plenty of Marines to help guide you to port-a-potties, baggage drop, starting line and they were professional for the most part.
The race itself was well secured by law enforcement and Marines keeping people off the streets and out of the runners ways. You may still have tourists walking right through the middle of the race because they don't care.
The end was great, a lot of Marines there to congratulate everyone and handout medals and refreshments. The end was a little crowded though and the spectators got in the way of the participants getting out of the fenced in area.
***If you use headphones plan to run with at least one headphone out so you don't get run over by the bicyclists. They don't stay to any one side and they come down the middle as well on the downhill stretches. They will yell at you and expect you to jump out of the way and you won't know where they're coming from. Saw quite a few people grabbed out of the way, so be prepared.
Packet pickup wan't terrible and picking up your packet itself was easier than I've experienced before, but be prepared for traffic getting to the expo (it is DC after all). The expo was a madhouse and couldn't get out soon enough.
The morning of the race the Metro was easy to navigate, plenty of Marines to help guide you to port-a-potties, baggage drop, starting line and they were professional for the most part.
The race itself was well secured by law enforcement and Marines keeping people off the streets and out of the runners ways. You may still have tourists walking right through the middle of the race because they don't care.
The end was great, a lot of Marines there to congratulate everyone and handout medals and refreshments. The end was a little crowded though and the spectators got in the way of the participants getting out of the fenced in area.
***If you use headphones plan to run with at least one headphone out so you don't get run over by the bicyclists. They don't stay to any one side and they come down the middle as well on the downhill stretches. They will yell at you and expect you to jump out of the way and you won't know where they're coming from. Saw quite a few people grabbed out of the way, so be prepared.
Written 4 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacsprats
New York City, NY136 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
We went down to DC for my partner to run.
The expo was fine, but it's like they didn't plan for a lot of people to be at a convention center. The traffic was barely controlled chaos and we had to pay for parking. Directions could have been signed better, they sent us to the main entrance on a narrow sidewalk when a lovely and WIDE walkway would have taken us directly to the expo room downstairs. No safety pins were included with the bibs. An unpleasant surprise on the night before when we're 200+ miles from home.
The marathon route (at least this year) loops through DC and the mall. The setting was lovely, but hot with no shade. It was in the high 70's and humid. They should schedule it for December!
The MCM app didn't work at all so we could not track runners. The text updates only worked half the time.
Along Arlington Cemetery and nearing the finish, the crowds are on the far side of the highway from the runners. It was very disappointing as it was difficult to cheer from so far away.
The walk to meet up with the runners is probably about a mile. It is ridiculously long and often blocked by people trying to see the finish. I mentioned the bottleneck to emergency personnel and they just stared at me. OK, thanks organizers.
I wasn't blown away by the experience and hope not to repeat it!
The expo was fine, but it's like they didn't plan for a lot of people to be at a convention center. The traffic was barely controlled chaos and we had to pay for parking. Directions could have been signed better, they sent us to the main entrance on a narrow sidewalk when a lovely and WIDE walkway would have taken us directly to the expo room downstairs. No safety pins were included with the bibs. An unpleasant surprise on the night before when we're 200+ miles from home.
The marathon route (at least this year) loops through DC and the mall. The setting was lovely, but hot with no shade. It was in the high 70's and humid. They should schedule it for December!
The MCM app didn't work at all so we could not track runners. The text updates only worked half the time.
Along Arlington Cemetery and nearing the finish, the crowds are on the far side of the highway from the runners. It was very disappointing as it was difficult to cheer from so far away.
The walk to meet up with the runners is probably about a mile. It is ridiculously long and often blocked by people trying to see the finish. I mentioned the bottleneck to emergency personnel and they just stared at me. OK, thanks organizers.
I wasn't blown away by the experience and hope not to repeat it!
Written 25 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FergKen
Washington DC, DC383 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
For those looking to experience something unique to Washington, the Marine Corps Marathon’s 10K is both exhilarating and fun.
It’s an amazing experience, and you can’t help but feel that you did something good for others afterwards.
It’s a fun weekend. We get our bibs and check in for the race down at the Gaylord National Harbor, and that’s a fun place to discover if you’re new to DC, or visiting.
And on Sunday we take off from the Mall, next to the Smithsonian.
The Marines launch the race with a howitzer!
You run around the mall, across the 14th St. Bridge, down to Crystal City, pass the Pentagon and up to the Iwo Jima Memorial. All along the route, you’re being cheered on by young Marines who volunteered to get up at 2 AM in the morning so they could be present to help us and cheer us on... as I said, it’s a uniquely great
experience.
It’s an amazing experience, and you can’t help but feel that you did something good for others afterwards.
It’s a fun weekend. We get our bibs and check in for the race down at the Gaylord National Harbor, and that’s a fun place to discover if you’re new to DC, or visiting.
And on Sunday we take off from the Mall, next to the Smithsonian.
The Marines launch the race with a howitzer!
You run around the mall, across the 14th St. Bridge, down to Crystal City, pass the Pentagon and up to the Iwo Jima Memorial. All along the route, you’re being cheered on by young Marines who volunteered to get up at 2 AM in the morning so they could be present to help us and cheer us on... as I said, it’s a uniquely great
experience.
Written 22 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara C
Plymouth, MA767 contributions
Jul 2017
Great historical museum to learn the challenges our Marine Corps faces when going into war situations. Wonderful interactive exhibits for all ages, boys and girls, men and women, whether you have a military background or not. We were very impressed, all I can say "thank you for your service"!
Written 2 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dwfanee d
Big Flats, NY115 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
It is an amazing thing to see full streets actually shut down in Washington, DC and to see hundreds of people running on them is even better. There are bands, fresh watermelon, things to see. It is well organized in that they manage to keep each runners belongings safe and returned to the owner at the end of the race. You will see many heart warming stories such as elderly couples holding hands and walking the 10k and fathers pushing their disabled child in the full marathon. Many contestants ran with flags and firemen ran with full uniform and packs. Park at the Ronald Reagan Airport and take the Metro for the easiest day of driving. You get to see Washington architecture up close and without cars zipping around. Plus, there is a great view of the Capital, Lincoln Memorial, and Washington Monument. Plus, the finish line is next to Arlington!
Written 31 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie H
88 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
It has been very well organised so far.. really looking forward to the actual day to cheer him on!!
When we went to collect his race pack at the Gaylord national convention centre, there were lots of Marine soldiers there helping out.
The EXPO was really well laid out with plenty of stands of relevance.
The run itself, takes the runners past a lot of the tourist points and across the river, finishing at the Arlington cemetery by the iconic memorial of the soldiers with the American flag.
When we went to collect his race pack at the Gaylord national convention centre, there were lots of Marine soldiers there helping out.
The EXPO was really well laid out with plenty of stands of relevance.
The run itself, takes the runners past a lot of the tourist points and across the river, finishing at the Arlington cemetery by the iconic memorial of the soldiers with the American flag.
Written 29 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
miketr87
Palm Bay, FL88 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Amazing event and the Corps does an incredible job with this event. I highly recommend this event for anyone, military or not, you will learn a lot and enjoy the show.
Written 2 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Marine Corps Marathon
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