Race Information

Potomac River Run Marathon
Washington, DC
May 4, 2024 - Saturday
26.2M, 13.1M run
  • Details from event's Active.com listing:
    • EVENTS: 
    • Thursday, May 2, 2:00 PM-6:45 PM, packet assembly and early-bird packet pick-up at ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute, 2841 Hartland Road #401, Falls Church VA -- 0.7 miles from Dunn Loring Metro Station
    • Friday, May 3, 12 noon to 5:45 PM packet pick-up at Pacers Running Store, 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA -- across the street from Clarendon Metro Station
    • Friday, May 3, 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM pre-race dinner at Big Tony's Pizzeria, next door to Pacers, also 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA.  Guest speaker: Dr. Ben Pearl, DPM - podiatrist, runner, bicyclist, weightlifter: "The Footman Runneth:  How to prevent & cure foot injuries"
    • Saturday, May 4, 7:15-8:45 AM, on-site at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC.  Closest Metro Station is Rosslyn 3 miles away in Arlington
    • 8:00 AM: FULL MARATHON START
    • 9:00 AM: HALF MARATHON START
    • Flat - scenic - beautiful views of the Potomac River - tree-lined - shaded - out'n'back
    • Start and finish at Fletcher's Cove
    • 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
    • USATF certified course 
    • Course elevation profile: -------------------------------
    • Highest point is 44m above sea level, lowest point is 12m above sea level
    • Enjoy a lovely day on the C&O Canal Towpath!
    • See displays about the historic C&O Canal before & after race
    • The race course is 99% crushed gravel -- no hills -- no pavement except for two short stretches to prevent erosion, no cross streets
    • Be aware the aid stations close down as the last runner approaches:  Lock 10 closes at 1:00 PM.  Lock 7 closes at 1:15 PM.  Lock 5 closes at 1:30 PM.  Please if you are a slow runner, bring your own water bottle to the race
    • See our web page at www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/marathon for every detail about marathon weekend

    Event details and schedule

    Pre-race dinner at Big Tony's Pizzeria next door to Pacers on Friday, May 3, at 6:15 PM.  Add $10 dinner under Addtional Options

    Buy the race director's book

    • You may order an authorgraphed copy of the race director's book The Man Who Stole The Sun for $14, and you can pick-up your copy at packet pick-up.  Its main character is an intrepid 14-year-old runner whose bravery rescues Marine Corps Marathon -- but it's much more than that!

    Off-Site Parking Options

    • Parking is limited at Fletcher's Cove, and we must leave spaces open for the general public, as it's a National Park and open to the public even during races
    • Thus we want as many participants as possible to park off-site, so that we leave some parking spaces available at Fletcher's Cove for the general public. Off-site parking options: 
    • • The River School entrance on Reservoir Road
    • • W Street, Bending Lane, or Hutchins Place off Reservoir Road
    • • Palisades Library, 4901 V St NW, Washington, DC 20007     
    • • Our Lady of Victory School, 4755 Whitehaven Pkwy NW, Washington, DC 20007
    • • CVS/pharmacy, 4859 MacArthur Boulevard NW, Washington, DC 20007
    • For only $10 extra, we offer round-trip Red Top Cab rides from our host hotel Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport, located at 1999 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA  22202-3526 (703-413-5500) to Fletcher's Cove on race day, departing at 7:00 AM and arriving about 7:20 AM
    • Please register for the taxi service AT LEAST TWO DAYS in advance
    • From westbound Canal Road, Red Top Cab drops you off at Reservoir Road, at the entrance to Fletcher's Cove
    • Please cross Canal Road CAREFULLY to get to Fletcher's Cove
    • For the return trip after you finish, see the on-site Transportation Director. 
    • After you finish, as soon as we get groups of 4 finishers, we call Red Top Cab for a ride back to Courtyard by Marriott, or elsewhere in DC area if you prefer

For the love of all that is good and moisture wicking...

Though we try to be accurate and on top of things... Race details can change when we aren't lookin. And once in a while we simply make a mistake.

ALWAYS visit the race's website for the most complete and accurate race information.

Listing Status

  • Added to our Directory
    Sep 18, 2012
  • Last Updated in our Directory
    Jul 21, 2023
  • Last checked by a snack-eating human.
    Aug 25, 2023
  • Appears in Directories

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