
In 7 days · Sat, Oct 17, 2026
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Saturday, October 17th, 2026
4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
Marathon · Half
50–68°F · low rain risk
See last 10 years
On this date: rain 0 of the last 10 years
2025
43–64°F
dry
2024
40–59°F
dry
2023
51–62°F
dry
2022
52–68°F
dry
2021
51–63°F
dry
2020
42–60°F
dry
2019
50–56°F
dry
2018
49–66°F
dry
2017
44–61°F
dry
2016
57–80°F
dry
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Race-day forecast · Saturday, Oct 17
Rain likely · 47–68°F
Saturday, Oct 17starts near 47°F · 27% chance of rain · wind up to 16 mph
About this race
- WE REGRET THAT WE CAN'T PROVIDE REFERRALS FROM THIS RACE TO ANOTHER, AS THIS THE LAST MARATHONS WE HOST.
o Sponsored by ACE Health Foundation
o If it hurts, call ACE-PT first at 703-205-1233
Pre-race packet pickup Friday October 16, 12:00 noon to 5:45 PM at Pacers Running Store, 3100 Clarendon Boulevard
Pasta dinner Friday, October 16, at 6:15 PM -- Pre-race dinner at Big Tony's Pizzeria, 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA
Race-day packet pickup on Saturday, October 17, 6:45 Am TO 8:45 am, onsite at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
- Course
- Flat - scenic - beautiful views of the Potomac River - tree-lined - shaded - out'n'back
- Boston Marathon-qualifying course DC21001RT
- Almost totally flat course -- highest point is 44m above sea level, lowest point is 12m above sea level
- Course elevation profile: -------------------------------
- Enjoy a lovely day on the C&O Canal Towpath!
- See displays about the historic C&O Canal before & after race
- Read about the history of the C&O Canal Towpath:
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_and_Ohio_Canal
- www.bikewashington.org/canal
- www.onthecanal.org
- www.nps.gov/choh
- www.bikecando.com
- www.patc.us/store/XX250.htm
Event details and schedule
- Start Times
- The 8 AM marathon is a Boston qualifier
- Awards
- $250 to 1st, $150 to 2nd, $100 to 3rd overall M/F in the 8 AM Full Marathon
- SHF awards to 1st, 2nd, 3rd by 10-year age-group M/F in the full and half marathons
- This race is the third of Safety And Health Foundation's 2022 Grand Prix
- $100 cash award to everyone who finishes all 3 of SHF's full or half marathons in 2024
- Directions
- Fletcher's Cove is two miles west of Georgetown at 4940 Canal Road NW
- From Georgetown, take M Street NW westbound
- Cross Foxhall Road
- M Street NW becomes Canal Road NW
- Continue west for two miles to stoplight at Reservoir Road
- CAEREFULLY turn left down ramp to upper parking for 85 cars
- When upper parking is filled, turn right into tunnel under C&O Canal
- At end of turn, turn left to parking for 200 cars
- If all parking at Fletcher's Cove is taken, turn RIGHT up Reservoir Road to free parking on-street and at The River School
- Parking
- We have about 285 free parking spaces
- Please carpool or use our Facebook page to share a ride
- Drop-off instructions
- Parking is limited at Fletcher's Cove
- If you can get someone to drop you off, the best place is at the top of the ramp leading down to Fletcher's Cove
- Don't drive down the ramp to drop off passengers -- you'll get stuck trying to drive back up the ramp
- Thus we can avoid a traffic jam on the ramp
- From there, it's a short walk across a footbridge to the start line
- Logistics
- Assisted by
- Gib Leonard, TeamAfrica.com, BuyABrickFoundation
and
- DC Capital Striders
- Volunteer Instructions
- Spectator Instructions
- Packet
Pick-up
- Pick up your bib number, t-shirt, and goodie bag pre-race
- Goodie bag assembly and early packet pickup:
- Help us assemble bib numbers and goodie bags, and get your bib number, t-shirt, and goodie bag early on Thursday, October 17, 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM, at ACE Physical Therapy, 2841 Hartland Road #401, Falls Church VA
- Pre-race packet pickup:
- Friday, October 18, 12:00 noon to 5:45 PM, Pacers Running Store, 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA, across the street from Clarendon Metro, free parking at Trader Joe's if you buy something -- includes late registration
- Race-day packet pickup: Saturday, October 19, on-site from 7:15 AM to 8:45 AM
- Race-day packet pick-up is on-site at picnic tables at Fletcher's Cove
- You may pick up someone else's bib number and packet if you bring along a signed note or a printed e-mail message from your friend
- HEADPHONE POLICY: PLEASE DO NOT WEAR HEADPHONES AT THE START, MIDPOINT, OR FINISH LINE so you can hear pre-race/post-race announcements
Course map
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