Marine Corps Marathon

Washington, United States of America 26 Oct, 2025

The marathon known as Marine Corps Marathon is held each year in Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, drawing around 30,000 participants including active duty military, veterans, and civilians. It originated in 1976, designed to promote goodwill between the military and the public after the Vietnam War, highlight the organizational skills of the Marine Corps, act as a recruiting tool, and provide Marines a Boston Marathon-qualifying opportunity. The event has never offered prize money, earning the nickname “The People’s Marathon,” and focuses on celebrating the effort and achievement of every finisher regardless of experience.

The route of the marathon is distinctive for its passage through the nation’s capital and key landmarks. It typically starts in Arlington, Virginia, passes around the National Mall, and ends at the Marine Corps War Memorial near the Iwo Jima statue. Runners travel past monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the Capitol, and various highlights of historic Washington, D.C.. The course is known for its supportive military presence and crowds of spectators throughout.

Culturally, the event emphasizes patriotism, military tradition, and collective honor, with the Marine Corps providing logistical support and volunteers along the route. Unlike most large marathons, there is no prize money, and all entrants including celebrities and elite runners participate for personal challenge and recognition. The finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial creates a symbolic and emotional tribute to military service and national history.

What sets this marathon apart is its close affiliation with the Marine Corps, lack of financial awards, inclusivity of all runners, and its journey past many of America’s symbolic sites. The atmosphere is shaped by military precision and the encouragement provided by Marines, which infuses the event with a sense of discipline, pride, and community that has led to its recognition as one of the world’s largest and most respected marathons.

Generic Marathon Time This represents the time you would expect to run a "generic" marathon in. This is a marathon with around 250 m (800 ft) of elevation gain and a temperature around 10°C (50°F). For best results, use our Race Predictor.

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Marine Corps Marathon Time


Statistics

Elevation
Elevation Gain 211 m 692 ft
Elevation Low 0 m 0 ft
Elevation High 69 m 226 ft
Weather
Expected Temperature (Low) 1°C 34°F
Expected Temperature (High) 5°C 41°F
Chance of Rain 72%

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The marathon known as Marine Corps Marathon is held each year in Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, drawing around 30,000 participants including active duty military, veterans, and civilians. It originated in 1976, designed to promote goodwill between the military and the public after the Vietnam War, highlight the organizational skills of the Marine Corps, act as a recruiting tool, and provide Marines a Boston Marathon-qualifying opportunity. The event has never offered prize money, earning the nickname “The People’s Marathon,” and focuses on celebrating the effort and achievement of every finisher regardless of experience.

The route of the marathon is distinctive for its passage through the nation’s capital and key landmarks. It typically starts in Arlington, Virginia, passes around the National Mall, and ends at the Marine Corps War Memorial near the Iwo Jima statue. Runners travel past monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the Capitol, and various highlights of historic Washington, D.C.. The course is known for its supportive military presence and crowds of spectators throughout.

Culturally, the event emphasizes patriotism, military tradition, and collective honor, with the Marine Corps providing logistical support and volunteers along the route. Unlike most large marathons, there is no prize money, and all entrants including celebrities and elite runners participate for personal challenge and recognition. The finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial creates a symbolic and emotional tribute to military service and national history.

What sets this marathon apart is its close affiliation with the Marine Corps, lack of financial awards, inclusivity of all runners, and its journey past many of America’s symbolic sites. The atmosphere is shaped by military precision and the encouragement provided by Marines, which infuses the event with a sense of discipline, pride, and community that has led to its recognition as one of the world’s largest and most respected marathons.

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