2026 Marine Corps Marathon - Oct 25

2026 Marine Corps Marathon - Oct 25 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Marine Corps Marathon - Oct 25
CityWashington DC
Date2026-10-25 at 07:20
Field Size~30,000 runners
Time Limit6 hours
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
Official SiteMarine Corps Marathon Organization
RegistrationRegister · 240 USD

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature12°C / 54°F
Humidity60%
Wind12 km/h
Rain Chance15%
Typical ConditionsCool, dry late-October mornings with rising afternoon warmth

What to Prepare: A 7:20 a.m. late-October start in the DC area usually means crisp 40s-to-50s F conditions that warm into the 60s by midday. Open stretches along the National Mall and Hains Point leave you exposed to wind and sun, so dress in throwaway layers at the start line and plan for the temperature to climb during the slower back half.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 12 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course TypeUrban Point-to-Point Loop
Elevation Gain120m
TerrainRoad
ProfileA USATF-certified tour of the nation's capital, starting in Arlington near the Pentagon, crossing the Potomac into Washington DC past the Lincoln Memorial, Kennedy Center, Capitol, and the monuments of the National Mall, then looping back over the 14th Street Bridge to finish with a short, steep climb to the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima). The course is mostly flat to rolling, but the brutal uphill final 200 yards to the memorial is the sting in the tail.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Marine Corps Marathon?

The 51st Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) is Sunday, October 25, 2026, with a start time of 7:20 a.m. ET. The race keeps to its tradition of running on the last Sunday in October, just ahead of the Marine Corps Birthday. The start is in Arlington, Virginia, near the Pentagon, and the finish is at the Marine Corps War Memorial.

How do you get into the Marine Corps Marathon? Is there a lottery?

There is no longer a lottery; the MCM uses first-come, first-served general registration. A lottery was used from 2014 but has since been retired, and the race is once again open to anyone age 14 or older. General registration opened April 6, 2026 at marinemarathon.com and sells out (the 2025 edition filled in roughly a month). If general entries are gone, you can still get in through a charity partner, the Semper Fi Challenge, the MCM Runners Club, or active-duty and group programs.

What is the entry fee for the 2026 Marine Corps Marathon?

The standard general-registration fee is about $240 USD, with a discounted active-duty military rate around $225. The MCM is famously the largest marathon in the world that offers no prize money, which is why it is nicknamed The People's Marathon. Charity and Semper Fi Challenge entries carry separate fundraising minimums.

What is the Beat the Bridge cutoff?

Runners must reach the 14th Street Bridge near mile 20 by 1:15 p.m. From a 7:20 a.m. start, that requires holding roughly a 14-minute-per-mile pace. Anyone who hasn't reached the bridge by 1:15 p.m. is diverted, bused to the finish festival, and not recorded as an official finisher. An earlier checkpoint, the DC Gauntlet near mile 17, must be cleared by about 12:33 p.m. to stay on the certified 26.2-mile route.

What is the Blue Mile at the Marine Corps Marathon?

The Blue Mile, organized by wear blue: run to remember, is a silent tribute around mile 12 on Hains Point. Posters showing the faces and names of fallen U.S. service members line the road, followed by volunteers, often Gold Star families, holding American flags. Runners are encouraged to wear blue, and the stretch is typically the most emotional and quietest part of the entire course.

Is the Marine Corps Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The MCM course is certified by USA Track & Field, so a qualifying time run here counts toward Boston Marathon entry. The course is mostly flat to rolling and considered runnable, though the time-of-day cutoffs and the steep uphill finish make a strong pace plan important.

Where does the Marine Corps Marathon start and finish?

The race starts in Arlington, Virginia, near the Pentagon and finishes a short distance away at the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), with the post-race Finish Festival in nearby Rosslyn. In between, the course crosses into Washington DC and passes the Lincoln Memorial, the Kennedy Center, the U.S. Capitol, and the monuments of the National Mall before returning over the 14th Street Bridge.

Who organizes the Marine Corps Marathon?

The race is run by the Marine Corps Marathon Organization, a U.S. Marine Corps entity, with active-duty Marines staffing the course, water points, and finish line. First held in 1976, the MCM is one of the largest marathons in the United States and is known for its disciplined, all-volunteer Marine support rather than for prize money.

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