It was chilly and raining the morning I ran my first marathon, the 1987 Marine Corps Marathon. I was living in the mountains out West and flew home to DC to run it and see family. After training at altitude, 26.2 miles at sea level didn’t feel like the huge challenge I’d braced for. The cold rain was the real opponent. I didn’t know it then, but I was on the course the year the men’s record was set: Jeffrey Scuffins ran 2:14:01 that day, and nobody has beaten it since.
Almost four decades later, the race is far bigger and the logistics are far more complicated. If you’re running, cheering, or just trying to drive through DC or Arlington that Sunday, here’s what you need to know.
Quick Answer
Marine Corps Marathon 2026: Sunday, October 25
Take Metro, move your car Saturday night if you live near the course, and plan to cheer from the middle of the route. Spectators haven’t been allowed at the start or finish.
Official Race-Day Info| Race date | Sunday, October 25, 2026 (51st running) |
| Start | Near the Pentagon, Arlington |
| Finish | Marine Corps War Memorial, Arlington |
| Start Metro | Pentagon or Pentagon City (Blue/Yellow) |
| Finish Metro | Rosslyn (Blue/Orange/Silver) |
| Metro opens | 5:00am on race day (2025) |
| Field size | About 40,000 finishers (2025) |
| Nickname | “The People’s Marathon,” no prize money, no lottery |
Getting There: Take Metro
Don’t plan on driving to the start. In 2025, Metro opened at 5:00am on race day. The closest stations to the start were Pentagon and Pentagon City on the Blue and Yellow lines, and the closest to the Finish Festival was Rosslyn on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. Arlington Cemetery station stayed closed until 9:00am.
Road Closures to Expect
The official 2026 closure list is usually released the week of the race, and this guide will be updated when it’s out. Recent years are the best preview:
- Route 110: In 2025, southbound Route 110 closed at 4:00pm Saturday and didn’t reopen until 5:00pm Sunday.
- Georgetown: In 2025, M Street and Canal Road up to Foxhall Road were posted Emergency No Parking from 2:00am to 2:00pm. Cars left there were ticketed and towed.
- National Mall: In 2025, Madison Drive, Jefferson Drive, and Independence Avenue were closed to traffic from roughly 5:30am to 3:00pm.
- Bridges: In 2024, the Key and Memorial Bridges were closed to traffic from 6:00am to 2:00pm.
- Rock Creek Parkway: In 2024, the parkway was closed between Calvert Street and Ohio Drive. See our Rock Creek Park parking guide.
Spectators: Read This Before You Go
This is the change that catches people off guard. In 2025, for the first time, spectators weren’t allowed at the start or finish, for security and logistics reasons. They were also kept off Memorial Bridge and Memorial Avenue.
The good news is that you can still see your runner at up to five spots along the course. Metro is the easiest way to move between them, and many viewing areas are within walking distance of each other.
Parking Near the Start
Parking near the Pentagon on race morning is a losing game. If you must drive, park well outside the closure zone near a Metro station and ride in. Our parking near the Pentagon guide covers the options on a normal day. On race day, assume most of them are off the table.
If you’re hunting for street parking in a DC neighborhood instead, check the signs first. Our DC RPP zones guide explains the residential permit rules.
After training in the mountains, sea level felt easy. The cold DC rain was the real opponent.
My Advice, From Someone Who Ran It
Dress for the start, not the finish. My race was cold and wet, and late October in DC can go either way. Wear a throwaway layer to the start and toss it once you warm up.
Respect the cutoffs. The course has timed checkpoints in the back half, so pace yourself to make them, not just to finish.
Soak it in. Few marathons run past this many landmarks, and Marines are handing you water the whole way. It felt special in 1987, and it still does.
Quick Checklist
- Race date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Take Metro. Stations open early on race day.
- Move your car Saturday night if you’re near the course.
- Spectators can’t watch at the start or finish, so pick spots on the course.
- Check back the week of the race for the official 2026 closure list.
Marine Corps Marathon FAQ
When is the 2026 Marine Corps Marathon?
Sunday, October 25, 2026. It’s the 51st running of the race.
What Metro station is closest to the Marine Corps Marathon start?
Pentagon and Pentagon City on the Blue and Yellow lines. Rosslyn is closest to the Finish Festival.
Can spectators watch at the Marine Corps Marathon finish line?
In 2025, spectators were not allowed at the start or finish. Plan to watch from viewing spots along the course instead.
What roads close for the Marine Corps Marathon?
Closures cover large parts of Arlington and DC, including Route 110, Georgetown’s M Street and Canal Road, streets around the National Mall, and major bridges. The official list is released the week of the race.
Is there parking at the Marine Corps Marathon?
Parking near the start and finish is extremely limited because of road closures. Metro is the recommended way to get there.
Also on UnscriptedDC
UnscriptedDC is an independent Washington DC area travel guide. Race details are based on the most recent official and local reporting and will be updated when the 2026 closure list is released.