
When
Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Where
4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
Distances
Half · Marathon
About this race
🏃♀️ Event Overview
- We look forward to welcoming you to our 22nd annual Potomac River Run Marathon & Half.
- We welcome all runners and walkers: we also welcome sponsors (see www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/marathon/sponsor.pdf).
📅 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, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC. Closest Metro Station is Rosslyn 3 miles away in Arlington.
🏆 Race Information
- 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.
- Start and Finish Location: Fletcher's Cove. 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC.
🗺️ Course Details
- USATF certified course.
- Course elevation profile: Highest point is 44m above sea level, lowest point is 12m above sea level.
- Surface: The race course is 99% crushed gravel -- no hills -- no pavement except for two short stretches to prevent erosion, no cross streets.
- Enjoy a lovely day on the C&O Canal Towpath! See displays about the historic C&O Canal before & after race.
🚰 Aid Stations
- Be aware aid stations close down as the last runner approaches: Lock 10 closes at 1:00 PM, Lock 7 closes at 1:15 PM, Lock 5 closes at 1:30 PM. Please, if you are a slow runner, bring your own water bottle to the race.
- See our web page at www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/marathon for every detail about marathon weekend.
🍽️ Pre-Race Dinner
- Pre-race dinner: at Big Tony's Pizzeria next door to Pacers on Friday, May 2, at 6:15 PM. Add $10 dinner under Additional Options.
📚 Race Director's Book
- You may order an authorgraphed copy of the race director's book The Man Who Stole The Sun for $14, and you can pick up your copy at packet pick-up. Its main character is an intrepid 14-year-old runner whose bravery rescues Marine Corps Marathon -- but it's much more than that!
🚗 Parking Options
- Parking is limited at Fletcher's Cove: we must leave spaces open for the general public as it's a National Park, open to the public even during races.
- Off-site parking options include:
- The River School entrance on Reservoir Road.
- W Street, Bending Lane, or Hutchins Place off Reservoir Road.
- Palisades Library, 4901 V St NW, Washington, DC 20007.
- Our Lady of Victory School, 4755 Whitehaven Pkwy NW, Washington, DC 20007.
- CVS/pharmacy, 4859 MacArthur Boulevard NW, Washington, DC 20007.
- For only $10 extra, we offer round-trip Red Top Cab rides from our host hotel Crystal City Marriott, located at 1999 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202-3526 (703-413-5500) to Fletcher's Cove on race day, departing at 7:00 AM and arriving about 7:20 AM.
- Please register for the taxi service AT LEAST TWO DAYS in advance.
- From westbound Canal Road, Red Top Cab drops you off at Reservoir Road, at the entrance to Fletcher's Cove.
- Please cross Canal Road CAREFULLY to get to Fletcher's Cove.
- After you finish, as soon as we get groups of 4 finishers, we call Red Top Cab for a ride back to Courtyard by Marriott, or elsewhere in DC area if you prefer.
Course map
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