Founders Half Marathon

Race Overview

The lowest-priced half-marathon in America! Still a full 13.1 miles and full-service on quality and support!

Event Details

• Date: 2026-12-13
• Location: North Parking for Carderock Cliffs, Potomac, MD
• Race Link: Founders Half Marathon
• Series: This is race #2 of the DCRR Snowball Series. In past years, it's been the Gar Williams Half Marathon: now it honors all the Club's founders.

Course

Out-and-back along C&O Canal Towpath. Previously-USATF certified course, click here for map. We intend to recertify the course before race day, subject to completion of construction in the vicinity of Canal Lock 5. We'll make sure the course is accurately measured to account for the slightly-different path through the construction site if they're still digging.

Water Stops

• Locations: There will be two water stops: one at Lock 10 and one at Lock 6.
• Mile Markers: These locations correspond to approximately mile 3, 5, 8, and 10 of the race.
• Frequency: You will run by each water stop twice.

Registration

Online registration only.

Timing and Results

Timing and results will be compiled on a real-time basis and friends and family will be able to track runners throughout the race via social media. We will provide a link for live results in our final instructions to runners.

Fees

• Advance Registration: $0 for DCRRC members, $10 for non-members.
• Late Registration: $5 for DCRRC members, $15 for non-members, open until the moment the race begins.
• Deadline: Online advance registration through 24 hours before the race (9:00 AM on 12/12).

Refund Policy

In the event the race is canceled, pre-paid non-members will receive a credit to be applied to a future Snowball Series race.

Location

Carderock Recreation Area (not Park), Carderock, MD.

Race Day Timeline

• 7:30: Packet Pickup opens
• 9:00: Race Start
• 11:00: Awards
• 12:00: Course Closes

Amenities and Extras

We will have a great breakfast spread post race, including bagels, cream cheese, Nutella, PB&J, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, Gatorade, bananas, and more.

T-shirts and Medals

Come on people, it's a $10 race... No, there are no t-shirts or medals.

Directions

Take the Capital Beltway (I-495), to the Clara Barton Parkway headed west, outside the beltway. Make a right on the first exit which is for both Carderock and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (Carderock Division). Turn left at the stop sign at the top of the ramp to cross the parkway. After passing under the canal, turn right and proceed to the last parking lot. If it's full, park in one of the other lots and walk back to our registration area.

Volunteers

We need many volunteers to help coordinate the race events. Please "pay it forward" by helping if you're not running, or have a friend or relative volunteer. Remember, this counts as your Snowball Series volunteer requirement.