The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) is an annual marathon race held in Arlington County, Virginia and Washington, D.C., United States. It is traditionally held on the last Sunday in October, just prior to the Marine Corps Birthday. Established in 1976, it is the third largest marathon in the United States, and the largest race in the world which does not offer prize money. Known as "the People's Marathon", the race has no entry lottery, and is open to anyone over age 14, with a field of approximately 40,000 finishers in 2025. Beginning in Arlington, the race winds through Washington, D.C. before returning to Arlington to finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial.
The mission of the MCM is to promote physical fitness, generate community goodwill, and showcase the organizational skills of the United States Marine Corps. The race is organized by the Marine Corps Marathon Organization, a Non-appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI) of the U.S. Government which reports to the commander, Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region-Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCINCR-MCBQ).
The 51st Marine Corps Marathon will be held October 25, 2026.
History 20th century
On October 17, 1975, MCM founder Colonel James L. Fowler wrote a memo to his supervisor, Major General Michael P. Ryan, outlining his idea of creating a Marine Corps Reserve Marathon to promote goodwill between the military and the post-Vietnam community. Colonel Fowler believed an event like this would showcase the Marine Corps, serve as a recruiting tool, and give local Marines an opportunity to qualify for the Boston Marathon. The Marathon also serves as a way to raise money for a wide variety of charities.
General Ryan embraced the idea of a Marine marathon and submitted it to then Marine Corps Commandant General Louis H. Wilson Jr. for approval. With General Wilson's backing, the planning process for the first MCM began. With news of the inaugural marathon quickly spreading, Gunnery Sergeant Alex Breckenridge, a member of the 1960 Olympic Marathon Team, soon lent his support. With Gunnery Sergeant Breckenridge acting as an ambassador for the marathon effort, local jurisdictions approved of the event.
Through the efforts of the marathon coordinators and with support from Secretary of the Navy, J. William Middendorf, the inaugural running of the MCM was held on November 7, 1976. The 1,175 participants ran a course through northern Virginia and finished at the Marine Corps War Memorial, becoming the first of thousands of MCM runners over a span of 38 years to take the final hill and finish at the Iwo Jima memorial. Kenneth Moore of Eugene, Oregon, finished the inaugural event with a time of 2:21:14, becoming the first MCM winner. He was awarded a trophy, provided by Secretary Middendorf. for his achievement.
Marathon organizers examined the course for the 1977 MCM and secured permits to run through Washington, D.C. The new route laid the foundation for the traditional scenic run, starting in Arlington County, Virginia, winding its way around key landmarks in the nation's capital, and returning for the finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial. With the changes to the course and a surge of positive publicity from the first running, the second MCM drew a field of 2,655 runners.
Participation in the MCM steadily increased over the next few years, resulting in a transfer of race coordination from the Marine Corps Reserve to active-duty Marines at Marine Barracks. Shortly thereafter, even more growth necessitated a move south to Marine Corps Base Quantico in 1982, where the MCM headquarters remains.
Additions to MCM weekend include the MCM10K, starting at the National Mall and finishing at the Iwo Jima monument; the MCM Kids Run, a event held one day prior to the MCM; and the MCM Forward, where Marines stationed throughout the world participate in a satellite run simultaneously with the MCM. The MCM and all associated events continue to promote physical fitness, generate community goodwill and showcase the organizational skills of the United States Marine Corps.MCM History
21st century The 2020 in-person edition of the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with all registrants given the option of transferring their entry to 2021, 2022, or 2023 or obtaining a full refund. Similarly, the 2021 in-person edition of the race was cancelled due to the pandemic, with all registrants given the option of running the race virtually, transferring their entry to 2022, or obtaining a full refund.
In 2023, over 23,000 runners registered for the 48th MCM.
In 2025, the Marine Corps Marathon celebrated 50 years with over 40,000 participants racing.
Course
The course, which varies slightly from year to year, is certified by USA Track and Field. The current route starts in Arlington, Virginia, on Route 110 and winds its way through Rosslyn along Langston Boulevard before turning on Spout Run and the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Runners experience a climb on Langston Boulevard in the first few miles of the course, but are rewarded with a descent along Spout Run and the GW Parkway.
After crossing Key Bridge into Georgetown, runners used to turn toward the Palisades Community when the course followed Canal Road, up to the reservoir and down MacArthur Boulevard. However, the new course guides runners down popular M Street in Georgetown.
Runners turn on Wisconsin Avenue and then K Street before looping under K street onto Rock Creek Parkway. The course proceeds approximately 2.5 miles north on Rock Creek Parkway before turning back, then passing the Kennedy Center. Runners then pass the back of the Lincoln Memorial before continuing on Ohio Drive into East Potomac Park'sHains Point at the halfway mark.
Outside West Potomac Park, runners get a glimpse of the Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin. On Independence Avenue, competitors run by the newly unveiled Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial and FDR Memorial. The runners loop back along Independence Avenue on the side closest to the National Mall and the Korean War Veterans Memorial and National World War II Memorial before making a left turn onto 15th Street at the Washington Monument.
At Madison Drive, runners pass the north side of the National Mall, running by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History and the National Gallery of Art. After a loop around the reflecting pool in front of the U.S. Capitol, runners continue along the south side of the National Mall past the Smithsonian Castle. Runners move along Jefferson Drive and turn onto the 14th Street to marathon's "Beat the Bridge" checkpoint at mile 20 before returning to Virginia via the 14th Street Bridge.
For the last 10 kilometers, runners enjoy the color and energy of Crystal City in Arlington County, Virginia. At The Pentagon, runners pass in close proximity to the Pentagon Memorial honoring the victims of 9/11. Finally, the course unfurls alongside the Arlington National Cemetery then offers a final, up-hill challenge to the finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial. This finish has remained unchanged since the inaugural running of the MCM in 1976.Course details
MCM Weekend MCM10K In 2006, the Marine Corps Marathon introduced the MCM10K, a run starting at the National Mall in Washington, DC. The MCM10K and MCM begin simultaneously with MCM10K runners joining the final leg of the marathon course, sharing in the iconic finish up the hill to the Marine Corps War Memorial. Since its inception, the MCM10K has steadily increased in popularity. In 2012, the event sold out with 10,000 registered runners.
In 2011 a new MCM10K course record was set by Reuben Mwei, a native of the Kenya residing in Acworth, GA. His finishing time of 00:30:37 crushed the previous record of 00:32:54 set by Wyatt Boyd of Washington, DC, in 2009.MCM10K MCM Finish Festival Runners celebrate MCM and MCM10K finishes in the post-event Finish Festival located in Rosslyn, Virginia. Runners, spectators, and the community are welcome to enjoy food, including a Restaurant Row that includes several Rosslyn eateries, live music, sponsor displays, entertainment and giveaways.
Essential runner services are also located in the Finish Festival, to include Family Link Up, Info/Medical Tent, Massage, UPS Baggage Claim, and the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden. Transportation from the Finish Festival includes shuttles to Crystal City, Virginia, Metro access at the Rosslyn station, and taxi service.Finish Festival MCM Kids Run The MCM Kids Run is a event held annually the day before the MCM. Children ages 5 through 12 are eligible to participate in the fun run located in the Pentagon North Parking Lot. Once children have completed the run, they can visit Camp Miles, a festival area with healthy activities and games promoting physical fitness.
School groups participating in the MCM Kids Run compete for a Healthy School Award. This award is based on student participation and is awarded to the top five schools with the most runners. Winning schools receive a donation to their physical education department presented by MCM partner Sodexo.Healthy Kids Fun Run MCM Health & Fitness Expo All registered MCM, MCM10K, and MCM Kids Run participants must attend packet pick up at the MCM Health and Fitness Expo. Held in the two days prior to the MCM, the Health and Fitness Expo features more than 200 booths and interactive displays for runner enjoyment. Supported by nearly 300 military and civilian volunteers, the expo attracts nearly 100,000 runners and guests.Health and Fitness Expo by GE Carbo Dining In Held annually on the eve of the Marine Corps Marathon, the Carbo Dining In serves up last minute inspiration and excitement as well as carbohydrate fuel for MCM morning. Held at the headquarters hotel, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the dinner welcomes world class speakers and Marine Corps - style entertainment.
The unique name - Carbo Dining In - separates it from other pasta parties and carb loads by paying homage to a traditional military dining in, an evening that includes dinner and other events to foster camaraderie and esprit de corps.
The evening program offers music, live entertainment and a featured speaker. Previous motivational addresses have been provided by Robert Swan, OBE, Dave McGillivary, Kathrine Switzer, Larry Rawson, Deena Kastor and Roger Robinson. Add in appearances by Miles and Molly, the MCM bulldog mascots, amazing prize giveaways, and the camaraderie of fellow runners, this becomes the perfect way to prepare for "The People's Marathon." MCM Pep Rally Introduced in 2010, the MCM Pep Rally is open to all marathon runners. The evening offers the chance for runners to receive last-minute information and inspiration from an expert panel of runners, coaches, Clif Pace Team leaders, Brooks consultants, and MCM staff members, among others.
The evening celebrates the achievements of every marathoner with music, cheerleaders, activities, and prize giveaways. First time runners are also presented the coveted MCM First-Timer pin.First Timers Pep Rally
Winners
Key: Course record (in bold)