Marine Corps Marathon 2026: A big stretch of Arlington and downtown Washington will belong to runners. The 51st Marine Corps Marathon kicks off at 7:20 a.m., and about 40,000 participants are expected on the course, which means road closures, security screening and tight rules for fans.
If you’re running, cheering or just trying to drive somewhere, here’s what to expect.
Start times and the course
Three groups begin on Route 110. Wheelchair and hand cycle athletes go first at 7:05 a.m., duo teams follow at 7:07, and the main field leaves at 7:20.
Runners start near Arlington National Cemetery and head north through Arlington, then cross the Key Bridge into Georgetown. From there the route runs along the National Mall and past the big monuments. It also uses Rock Creek Parkway before ending at the Marine Corps War Memorial. Late in the race, runners come back across the 14th Street Bridge and go through Crystal City, so the last miles are in Virginia again.
A cold start, then a nice day
The weather should help. Forecasters expect temperatures in the 40s at sunrise and the mid-50s by late morning, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid to upper 60s in the afternoon. That’s good racing weather, but standing around in the corrals before the start will feel cold, so a cheap sweatshirt to toss is a smart move.
Which roads are closed
Drivers have the hardest day. Most Arlington closures run from about 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. They cover parts of Route 110, Fort Myer Drive, Wilson Boulevard and Washington Boulevard, along with several I-395 ramps. One closure starts early, so watch for it. Southbound Route 110 between Washington Boulevard and Route 1 shuts down around 4 p.m. Saturday and stays closed until 5 p.m. Sunday.
Closures in the District are shorter. They’re set for roughly 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., though no-parking zones begin as early as 2 a.m. Police say cars left in those zones can be towed. Times can shift, and cleanup crews sometimes need longer than planned, so don’t count on a road reopening at the exact minute listed. The Arlington County Police Department and the official marathon website post the full street list.
Getting there without a car
Organizers and transit officials want people on the train. Metro opens at 5 a.m. Sunday, two hours ahead of a normal weekend, and trains keep their usual Sunday schedule. Buses are a different story. Metrobus service will be heavily affected by the closures.
Where you get off depends on your plan. Runners should use Pentagon station for the Runners Village and start line. Pentagon City, on the Blue and Yellow lines, also works. For the finish, Rosslyn is the closest station to the Finish Festival. Fans who want to see runners on the course can pick from several stops. Smithsonian, Crystal City, L’Enfant Plaza and Arlington Cemetery are the suggested stations. Keep in mind that Arlington Cemetery opens late, around 9 a.m.
A one-way ride costs between $2.25 and $2.50, and you can tap a bank card or phone at the gate. Anyone who has to drive can use a shuttle, or the Kiss and Run drop-off point near the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.
Where fans can stand
Spectators can’t walk up to the start or finish lines this year, same as last year. Only registered runners are allowed in those zones. Everyone else can watch from marked spots along the route or go to the Finish Festival in Rosslyn, where a big screen shows people crossing the line. Families can meet up afterward at the Family Link Up Zone near Rosslyn.
Everybody has to go through a security check. Drones, animals, e-scooters and bicycles are banned inside the event zones. If you’re bringing a dog or a bike to cheer on a friend, change that plan now. And give yourself extra time. Screening lines tend to grow right around the start.
Why this race is different
Plenty of big marathons hand out cash to the winner. This one doesn’t. The Marine Corps Marathon has paid no prize money since it began in 1976, it has no entry lottery, and runners must be at least 14. That’s how it earned the nickname “The People’s Marathon,” and it’s the largest marathon in the world without prize money. It’s also the third-largest marathon in the United States.
The idea behind it was practical. Organizers wanted to repair the Marine Corps’ relationship with the public after Vietnam, and to give active-duty Marines a way to qualify for the Boston Marathon. The first race drew 1,175 finishers. Half a century later, it’s one of the biggest days on the Washington sports calendar.
Before the weekend
Packet pickup took place at the National Building Museum. The Health and Fitness Expo ran from Oct. 21 through Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The Kids Run was held Saturday in Arlington, so families got their own turn on the course before the main event.
Runners will keep crossing the finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial through the afternoon. Live tracking and official results will be on the marathon’s website and app. This story will be updated with winners and finish numbers after the race.
Closures, start times and rules can change. Check the official Marine Corps Marathon website and Arlington County for updates before you leave.
