When

Saturday, May 3rd, 2025

Where

4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC

Distances

Half · Marathon

Going long?

Fuel wins races.

Gels, chews, electrolytes, anti-chafe — everything for 13.1 and beyond.

Shop on Amazon →

About this race

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

📅 Event Schedule

  • Thursday, May 1: 2:00 PM-6:45 PM, packet assembly and early-bird packet pick-up at ACE Physical Therapy &: Sports Medicine Institute, 2841 Hartland Road #401, Falls Church VA -- 0.7 miles from Dunn Loring Metro Station
  • Friday, May 2: 12 noon to 5:45 PM packet pick-up at Pacers Running Store, 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA -- across the street from Clarendon Metro Station
  • Friday, May 2: 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM pre-race dinner at Big Tony's Pizzeria, next door to Pacers, also 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA. Guest speaker: Dr. Ben Pearl, DPM - podiatrist, runner, bicyclist, weightlifter: "The Footman Runneth: How to prevent &: cure foot injuries"
  • Saturday, May 3: 7:15-8:45 AM, on-site at Fletcher's Cove, closest Metro Station is Rosslyn 3 miles away in Arlington

🏅 Race Details

  • Start Times: 8:00 AM: FULL MARATHON START, 9:00 AM: HALF MARATHON START
  • Course Features: Flat - scenic - beautiful views of the Potomac River - tree-lined - shaded - out'n'back
  • Course Information: Start and finish at Fletcher's Cove. 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC and USATF certified course
  • Elevation: Highest point is 44m above sea level, lowest point is 12m above sea level

🧃 Aid Stations and Support

  • Aid Station Hours: Be aware the aid stations close down as the last runner approaches: Lock 10 closes at 1:00 PM, Lock 7 at 1:15 PM, Lock 5 at 1:30 PM. Bring your own water bottle if you are a slow runner.
  • Course Surface: The race course is 99% crushed gravel -- no hills -- no pavement except for two short stretches
  • Historical Displays: Enjoy a lovely day on the C&:O Canal Towpath! See displays about the historic C&:O Canal before &: after race.
  • More Info: See our web page at www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/marathon for every detail about marathon weekend.

🍽️ Pre-race Dinner

  • Event: Pre-race dinner at Big Tony's Pizzeria on Friday, May 2, at 6:15 PM. Add $10 dinner under Additional Options.
  • Special Guest: Add $10 for the dinner where Dr. Ben Pearl, DPM will speak.

🚗 Parking Information

  • Parking Limitations: Parking is limited at Fletcher's Cove. Thus, park off-site to leave spaces for the public.
  • Off-site Options: The River School entrance on Reservoir Road, W Street, Bending Lane, or Hutchins Place off Reservoir Road.
  • Transportation: For $10 extra, we offer round-trip Red Top Cab rides from our host hotel Crystal City Marriott on race day.
  • Booking Information: Please register for the taxi service AT LEAST TWO DAYS in advance.

Course map

Suggested Races

Turkey Trot - Fun Run / Walk

Columbia, MD

Wednesday, November 25th, 2026

View details for race Turkey Trot - Fun Run / Walk
2026 PVTC Christmas Caper logo

2026 PVTC Christmas Caper

Washington, DC

Saturday, December 19th, 2026

View details for race 2026 PVTC Christmas Caper
2026 Cranberry Crawl 5K and 10K logo

2026 Cranberry Crawl 5K and 10K

Washington, DC

Saturday, November 21st, 2026

View details for race 2026 Cranberry Crawl 5K and 10K
15th Annual Jack T. Farrar, Jr. "Fill the Shoes" 5K logo

15th Annual Jack T. Farrar, Jr. "Fill the Shoes...

Alexandria, VA

Saturday, November 7th, 2026

5K
View details for race 15th Annual Jack T. Farrar, Jr. "Fill the Shoes" 5K
2027 National Women's Half Marathon and 8K logo

2027 National Women's Half Marathon and 8K

Washington, DC

Sunday, May 2nd, 2027

Half
View details for race 2027 National Women's Half Marathon and 8K
24th Annual Potomac River Run Marathon & Half logo

24th Annual Potomac River Run Marathon & Half

Washington, DC

Saturday, May 1st, 2027

Marathon
Half
View details for race 24th Annual Potomac River Run Marathon & Half
Herndon Turkey Trot 5K logo

Herndon Turkey Trot 5K

Herndon, VA

Saturday, November 21st, 2026

5K
Trail
View details for race Herndon Turkey Trot 5K

hollys

Laurel, MD

Tuesday, July 31st, 2029

View details for race hollys
Tuesday Night 5k #8 logo

Tuesday Night 5k #8

Springfield, VA

Tuesday, October 13th, 2026

5K
View details for race Tuesday Night 5k #8
Harvest Hills 5k, 10k, & Half logo

Harvest Hills 5k, 10k, & Half

Lorton, VA

Saturday, October 17th, 2026

Half
5K
10K
View details for race Harvest Hills 5k, 10k, & Half
Fort Hunt Park 5k & 10k logo

Fort Hunt Park 5k & 10k

Alexandria, VA

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

5K
10K
View details for race Fort Hunt Park 5k & 10k
Semper Fi 5k & Half logo

Semper Fi 5k & Half

Washington, DC

Saturday, October 24th, 2026

Half
5K
View details for race Semper Fi 5k & Half
Fall City Views 5k & 10k logo

Fall City Views 5k & 10k

Alexandria, VA

Sunday, November 1st, 2026

5K
10K
Trail
View details for race Fall City Views 5k & 10k
Veteran’s Day Defenders Dash 5k & 10k logo

Veteran’s Day Defenders Dash 5k & 10k

Fairfax Station, VA

Saturday, November 7th, 2026

5K
10K
Trail
View details for race Veteran’s Day Defenders Dash 5k & 10k
Veteran’s Lorton 5k, 10k, & 1M logo

Veteran’s Lorton 5k, 10k, & 1M

Lorton, VA

Saturday, November 7th, 2026

5K
10K
Trail
View details for race Veteran’s Lorton 5k, 10k, & 1M
Freedom is Never Free 5k, 10k, & Half logo

Freedom is Never Free 5k, 10k, & Half

Potomac, MD

Sunday, November 8th, 2026

Half
5K
10K
Fast
View details for race Freedom is Never Free 5k, 10k, & Half
Service and Sacrifice 5k & Half logo

Service and Sacrifice 5k & Half

Washington, DC

Wednesday, November 11th, 2026

Half
5K
View details for race Service and Sacrifice 5k & Half
Miriam’s Kitchen 5k & 10k logo

Miriam’s Kitchen 5k & 10k

Washington, DC

Saturday, November 14th, 2026

5K
10K
View details for race Miriam’s Kitchen 5k & 10k
Indian Head Turkey Trot 5k & 10k logo

Indian Head Turkey Trot 5k & 10k

White Plains, MD

Saturday, November 14th, 2026

5K
10K
Trail
View details for race Indian Head Turkey Trot 5k & 10k

Organize this race?

Claim it free to manage your listing — and get it featured for free, while spots last.

Find The Run Newsletter