The few changes on the course made for a more enjoyable race this year.

The sights and crowds are truly inspiring. And as stated in a previous review it's hard to get through the blue mile without getting choked up.

One of America's premier marathons. See Georgetown, Crystal City and of course DC by foot. Aide stations, medals handed out, etc by the Marines. Be forewarned, if you have a heart, the Wear Blue: Run to Remember Mile will affect you.

From packet pick-up to the post-race party, this is one of the premier marathons in the country. They do everything right. The race starts with a skydiver jumping out of an Osprey while the American flag unfurls. A howitzer fires off and the marathon is on. The course goes through Georgetown and by multiple monuments. There are great spots for friends and family members to come cheer the runners on. The blue mile is one of the most inspirational parts of any course, anywhere. The aid stations are well supplied and well placed. The finish line has all kinds of treats including beer.
Every marathoner, fast or slow can finish this race because it is truly, THE PEOPLE'S MARATHON!
Ooh-Rah!

Even with the course changes due to construction, still the best race year after year

Outstanding is the word that applies to this race each and every year.

I have run the MCM 9 times now (as of 2024). The course is beautiful running through our nation's capital. The Marines do a great job supporting the race. The previous Race Director (RD) retired after the MCM 2022. The last two years with the new RD have revealed he has a different philosophy for the race and has made changes. The previous RD was much more focused on being a race for the people. The new RD has made some cuts in previous standard things for the race and is definitely not as runner friendly as his predecessor. Would I still run it? Yes. Do I miss many things about the race that the new RD took out? Yes.

Great race overall! Expo was well laid out and fun to attend! Marine corp band was awesome! Loved the 1/2 zip top as a race shirt, will wear for sure. Medal is awesome and very heavy, As for the course it is very cool to run around some of the great monuments and buildings in DC and as will all Marine corp races the blue mile was very emotional. As a back of the pack runner I found the first food stop out of food and near the end some of the water stations were running out of cups for us slower runners.

It was just a little better than last year. Last year was a disaster.

I felt they should have better directions for getting to the marathon start. Along with a better car drop off location directions and support. It was a mess getting to the start line.

The race itself is well organized, supported, and attended. The route goes by many of the big sites and also some nice less city roads.

Love the last hill right before the finish! Please keep that.

I won't repeat much of what you are reading in other reviews. Class act event. Great organization, aid stations, lots of course support. 2023 - especially humid, a lot of medical issues. The only frustrating element to this race is parts of the course are narrow so navigating around walkers was very maddening. It slowed me down some but I ran this race to enjoy the city and all the spectators. Highly recommend!

The Marine Corps Marathon is a must-do! It is extremely well-organized and features tremendous on-course support by hundreds of Marines and other volunteers. The crowd enthusiasm along the course is excellent. I especially appreciated the Blue Mile, which is a tribute to so many fallen soldiers. Lastly, the medal is terrific, and having it placed around your neck by a Marine in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial makes it extra special! Oorah!

One opportunity for improvement is to relocate the expo to a more convenient location. The Gaylord resort is a good half hour outside of Washington, DC.

This year was my fourth in-person Marine Corps Marathon and it continues to be one of my favorites. The crowd support and race support were outstanding. This year the humidity made for a tougher race and they did close the course early for some. Great course and the Blue Mile honoring fallen service members is really moving.

It's the people's race that's put on by the Marines. I ran the inaugural 50k. The expo was a bit chaotic at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. It was somewhat stressful getting to the start of the race as the Metro didn't open until 6 am and the 50k started before the marathon. It was quite beautiful to run through the DC area. Some parts of the course in the first half of the day was flooded by the deluge of rain. Other than that it was great getting to run about 5 extra miles! Their medals are always among the best!

It's the people's race that's put on by the Marines. I ran the inaugural 50k. The expo was a bit chaotic at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. It was somewhat stressful getting to the start of the race as the Metro didn't open until 6 am and the 50k started before the marathon. It was quite beautiful to run through the DC area. Some parts of the course in the first half of the day was flooded by the deluge of rain. Other than that it was great getting to run about 5 extra miles! Their medals are always among the best!

Long walk to the start. Walk about 1 mile and half to the start from security point and then run through a fairly hilly incline the first couple of miles of the course. Rest of the course is filled with many smaller rolling hills.

Long walk to the start. Walk about 1 mile and half to the start from security point and then run through a fairly hilly incline the first couple of miles of the course. Rest of the course is filled with many smaller rolling hills.

We had our fair share of weather events. It poured off and on for 15 miles. We swam a bit around mile 12 in ankle deep water near the Potomac. The sun finally came out and the temperature went to 72 degrees to dry us all out for the finish. Runner's village ran out of beer for the 6 hour folks and we were handed flavored seltzer. Crowd support was strong even in the weather. This was my 2nd marathon and all and all I PR'd by 30 minutes.

One of the most well-organized and inspiring races in the USA. The MCM is a "Bucket List" Marathon.

My 18th MCM. The Marine Corps always puts on a great event. But, The USMC cannot control the weather. We ran in a downpour for the first 20 miles. Some parts of the course was under water. . Sun came out near the end. 30,000 people signed up and only 18,000 or so finished according to the results information. I'll be back next year..

My 18th MCM. The Marine Corps always puts on a great event. But, The USMC cannot control the weather. We ran in a downpour for the first 20 miles. Some parts of the course was under water. . Sun came out near the end. 30,000 people signed up and only 18,000 or so finished according to the results information. I'll be back next year..

I enjoyed the race and running past the monuments.

Thanks for selecting me as a pacer for the 5-hr group for the 50k. The race itself left many things to be improved:
--We need an even earlier start or own lane post-merge between 50k and marathon. We merged with people running 3+ minutes SLOWER. To keep pace we had to weave through the thickest part of the field, breaking pace groups.
--The handcycles came FLYING down next to us -- even took out a 50k runner. They should *always* start 1st or on other side of the road.
--50k needs its own mile markers so we can more easily determine our accurate pace. They shouldn't only give us 10k increments.
--The organization of checked bags was HORRIBLE. The people on the trucks had no idea how to find bags and had HOURS to get it all ready. It's never been so bad before.
--Perpetual problem where the runners emerge from the post-race chute to the finisher's village. They need to open it up more so the runners can keep moving, not inch our way through the crowds, having our legs cramp up.

Thanks for selecting me as a pacer for the 5-hr group for the 50k. The race itself left many things to be improved:
--We need an even earlier start or own lane post-merge between 50k and marathon. We merged with people running 3+ minutes SLOWER. To keep pace we had to weave through the thickest part of the field, breaking pace groups.
--The handcycles came FLYING down next to us -- even took out a 50k runner. They should *always* start 1st or on other side of the road.
--50k needs its own mile markers so we can more easily determine our accurate pace. They shouldn't only give us 10k increments.
--The organization of checked bags was HORRIBLE. The people on the trucks had no idea how to find bags and had HOURS to get it all ready. It's never been so bad before.
--Perpetual problem where the runners emerge from the post-race chute to the finisher's village. They need to open it up more so the runners can keep moving, not inch our way through the crowds, having our legs cramp up.

Great experience....weather was really bad, but through that the volunteers were still there and amazing

Love this race but had to dig deep to finish in all that rain. See you next year.

My first rainy marathon it rained for the first 15 miles. Crowd support was continuous even in the rain. I pr’d by 30 minutes over last year.

Second time running. Same great organization throughout the whole process. Registration straightforward (I was able to avoid the ballot). Plenty of facilities at race start and along access routes (I came from Georgetown). Lots of support along the well marked course. Plenty of well stocked aid stations. Great finish line atmosphere (after the tough hill at mile 26!).
The only downside for me was holding packet pick up at National Harbor - a 3 hour round trip from DC. The expo had plenty to see and do once you were there.

Truly one of he best races around! The People’s Marathon never disappoints!

No better way to see DC! Awesome crowd support and energy! Make sure that you leave plenty of time to get to the start as the metro tends to back up!

I completed my 23rd Marine Corps marathon! I am a Marine Veteran and look forward to running the race each year. Well planned, well supported before, during and after the race!!!! Semper-Fi

If you're even thinking about it, do it! This is one of the best marathons I've done. There is lots of crowd support and a lot of emotion behind this one. Beautiful scenery and running amidst national treasures. The Marines are very supportive and genuinely glad that you are there.

Marine Corps. is one of the most exciting and memorable races. The course showcases our Nation's Capitol and is really inspirational. I don't find Packet Pickup as easy at the new location as it use to be at the DC Armory, but it is a lovely venue. Also, you have the option to have your bib mailed to you. Lots of hotels within walking distance to S/F and Metro. Great course support by the Marines. Finish Line is an experience in itself with lines of Marines congratulating you and placing your medal around your neck. The Memorial always takes my breath away. Love this marathon!

The spectators are incredible and fill the entire course! The volunteers were super! The course itself is very fun!

The course is tough but the support and spectators make the race spectacular! This is my second time doing it and I still cry when I run through the Blue Mile so make sure to have tissue at hand!

This race is huge. Tons of support the whole way. 30,000 of your closest friends. Would do again.

This a great running tour of DC. Well organized and great support for the crowds and Marines. There are lots of hills, be prepared.

This is a great race, through some nice parts of DC - not much around the monuments though. Marines are volunteers are friendly and cheering runners on. The medal is iconic. The steep, brief uphill at the very end is brutal.

The MCM is a fantastic event - crowd support cannot be beat and the scenery is amazing. It was a very crowded race this year, so it was hard to get the pace I wanted until after mile 13 or so. Hopefully next year they will increase the number of water stops, as it was pretty hot and humid this year and they were spaced out about every 2 miles. Overall, though, it was a fantastic experience and I love the shirt and the medal!

This race is special to me because it was my first marathon. I have now run it 6 times. This year was extra special as I was able to run it with 2 of my sisters and my 15 year old nephew. The Marines do a fantastic job of supporting runners throughout and the water stops were plenty for me (I always carry my own hydration). The only thing keeping me from all stars is the lack of crowd support for "back of the packers" and this was my first year where I realized this. Was a little disappointed my sisters didn't get the full experience in that sense but it was awesome overall. Love this event and grateful for the service of all our military men and women.

Two things MCM still needs to improve on: the excessively tight, slow logjam after the finish, and too few water stations. In the sort of heat we had this year, there needs to be water more often than every 2.5 miles to douse oneself. (I carry my own for drinking.)

Great crowd and Marine support, though.

top notch...... everyone has to do this marathon at least once. For most of the runners, it is their first marathon. Great organization, great support, there is nothing like the blue mile honoring our passed heroes. Running this is not a free ride, you still have to beat the bridge in a certain time to have this marathon count. I am not fast so it is something that is achievable for most.

From the start at Arlington with the skydivers and the Flyover, to the Blue Mike and the run around the monuments, this is a world class marathon.

It was a great race. Hot near the end but will run it again.

I've run MCM 6 years in a row. It's an awesome experience. So much so that I've decided to take 2018 off and let someone else run it.

I have nothing but good things to say about the Marine Corps Marathon. It is a first class experience with wonderful volunteers, a real patriotic feel, amazing sights and fantastic swag. One of the largest well run races that I can think of.

It was a great race from start to finish! I was amazed at the amount of Marines that came out to support the Runners. The course was beautiful and serene. My only issue is that there wasn’t a water stop between Miles 14-16. Everyone was in need of water as this was the point in the race when it was hot. Other than that, it was an amazing race!

Great race in great city. A must do.

A one a done but a good Marathon to remember the fallen heroes!