Course details

MCM participants should note the MCM course is taking a new direction through Crystal City, which does not include the up-and-back loop as in years past. Throughout Miles 22 to 24, the MCM course will take a slightly new turn in Arlington, VA.

As MCM runners enter into Crystal City after crossing the 14th Street Bridge, they will travel along Army-Navy Drive turning onto 12th Street South as it becomes Crystal Drive. Different from previous years, runners will then make a right turn onto 23rd Street South, before turning right again onto South Clark Street, which parallels U.S. Route 1/Jefferson Davis Highway. At this point in the course, participants will incur an incline in the road leading up to the 15th Street overpass and then enjoy a slight descent back onto 12th Street South.

From 12th Street South, runners will return onto the prior year's course following along Army-Navy Drive, and turning right onto South Fern Street toward the Pentagon. Continuing on Mile 24, participants will head onto South Rotary Road, running along the South West side of the Pentagon where, at the building's South Parking lot perimeter, runners will capture views of the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. From that point, MCM participants will turn left onto Columbia Pike, make an immediate right onto the Route 27/Washington Boulevard and follow the Boulevard to the Route 110 on ramp. Runners will then turn right onto the Route 110 access road, heading toward Pentagon North parking, and then continue along the access road bearing right back onto the Route 110 highway. Heading South on Route 110 toward Rosslyn, runners will make a left turn onto Marshall Drive and then turn right onto the Marine Corps War Memorial access road to the MCM Finish!

The USATF certified route starts in Arlington, VA on Route 110, same as in previous years, although this year, the start will be seven hundred feet closer to the Pentagon. The route winds its way through Rosslyn along Lee Highway before turning on Spout Run and the George Washington Parkway. Runners will experience a climb on Lee Highway in the first few miles of the course, but are rewarded with a descent along Spout Run and the Parkway.

After crossing Key Bridge into Georgetown, runners turn toward the Palisades Community when the course follows Canal Road, up to the reservoir and down MacArthur Boulevard.  The course guides runners down popular M Street in Georgetown.

Runners will turn on Wisconsin Avenue and then K Street. The course passes the Kennedy Center and guides runners to the back of the Lincoln Memorial before continuing on Ohio Drive into Hains Point at the halfway point.

Outside Potomac Park, runners will get a glimpse of the Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin.  On Independence Avenue, competitors will run by the newly-unveiled Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial and FDR Memorial.  The runners will loop back along Independence Avenue on the side closest to the National Mall and the Korean and WWII Memorials before making a left turn onto 15th Street at the National Monument.

At Madison Drive, runners will pass through the MCM "Gauntlet" and down the north side of the National Mall, running by the Smithsonian Institute'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 will continue down the south side of the National Mall past the Smithsonian Castle.  Runners move along Jefferson Drive and turn onto the 14th Street to "Beat the Bridge" at Mile 20 before returning to Virginia.  

For the last 10K runners will enjoy the color and energy of Crystal City.  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. It is truly a beautiful course.

MCM goes green!

WATER POINTS

• WP1: Eastbound Lee Highway between Wayne and Adams Streets
• WP2: On the Virginia side of the Key Bridge at Ft. Myer Drive
• WP3: On Reservoir Road at MacArthur Blvd
• WP4: Intersection of M and 34th Streets 
• WP5/7: Independence Ave and Ohio Dr SW at West Potomac Park
• WP6: Ohio Drive SW parking area near the tip of Hains Point  
• WP8: At Madison Dr NW and 12^th St NW along the National Mall
• WP9: At Jefferson Dr SW and 7^th St SW along the National Mall
• WP10/11: Army/Navy Drive at the Eads Street auxiliary parking lot. Also supports the MCM10K.
• WP12: On Route 110 behind the MCM corrals.  Also supports the MCM10K.
  
  

The Marine Corps Marathon welcomes Gatorade to all 12 water points.  The Gatorade flavor will be Lemon Lime Endurance Formula.

FS1: Oranges on Rockcreek Parkway after turning from K Street NW







FS2: Clif Shot flavors at Ohio Drive before Water Point 6 at the end of Hains Point in East Potomac Park.  CLIF BAR's great tasting, natural CLIF SHOT Gel is a fast-acting, easy-to-digest source of carbohydrates-your body's preferred source of fuel during activity.  SHOT Gel's semi-liquid form shines when you're working hard and need to fuel up between breaths.  Chocolate, Citrus, Double Expresso, Mocha and Razz will be on course.  Stop by the Clif Bar booth at the Expo to try all the flavors before the race.



FS3: Jelly Belly Sport Beans at the intersection of Jefferson Dr SW and 4^th Street SW along the National Mall beyond mile marker 19. Sport Beans™ jelly beans are formulated with electrolytes, carbohydrates and vitamins B and C to sustain and replenish energy during intense exercise. This revolutionary product maximizes performance and ensures ideal portion control, with four delicious flavors that will keep you going.

FS4: A little pop of pleasure during the final stretch to the finish line at mile marker 24. Dunkin' Donuts Munchkins (glazed, jelly filled, pumpkin, old fashioned and cinnamon and chocolate glazed) will be distributed at the intersection of 12th Street and Army Navy Drive before the Water Point. Made fresh daily in a variety of colorful and delicious flavors, there’s a favorite for every runner. Stop by the Dunkin Donuts booth in the Finish Festival for a flavored latte.

POST-RACE HOSPITALITY
After receiving a finisher medal, runners proceed to the Hospitality Area where runners will be presented a FitFul Post Race Recovery Meal containing a proper balance of macronutrients (protein, fats and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements) from natural food sources. Every portion has been carefully selected to be easily digested - providing rapid delivery to tired muscles with a goal of helping each runner jump start the recovery process.

The FitFul packs will include hummus and crackers, pretzels, Dole fruit bowl, dark chocolate and a bagel. Turbana bananas, water and Gatorade G Series 03 Recover also will be available at the finish.

G Series 03 Recover is the first protein and carbohydrate beverage formulated with the consistency of a thirst quencher to provide hydration and muscle recovery benefits after exercise.   According to research, adequate protein and carbohydrate consumed in combination soon after exercise stimulates muscle recovery. G Series Recover provides 16 grams of high-quality protein and 14 grams of carbohydrate per 8-oz serving.  In addition, the fluids and electrolytes (250mg sodium and 95mg potassium) are essential to the athletes who are slightly dehydrated after activity because they did not consume adequate fluids during exercise to replace their fluid losses.

Additionally, each runner will be presented with a FitFul Recovery Jacket immediately upon crossing the finish line. Unlike the mylar/ foil blankets of the past, the FitFul Recovery Jacket is a reusable, yet disposable, jacket made of fabric with cotton cuffs, a zippered front and hood. Water repellent, yet breathable, it is ideally suited for maintaining the core body temperature and protecting each runner from the elements.

Official banana sponsor of the MCM.  Discover how our bananas energize bodies and communities here.