Abebe Bikila Marathon
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Abebe Bikila Day International Peace Marathon & Half : 20th edition
The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC. It offers both a full marathon and a half marathon on the C&O Canal Towpath, a 100% flat gravel trail that starts and finishes at Fletcher's Cove. The full marathon is an out-and-back run completed twice; the half marathon is an out-and-back to Towpath mile 9.65 and return.
The race is a USATF-certified Boston qualifying course (DC21001RT) and serves as the final Saturday to qualify for the 2027 Boston Marathon. Aid stations offering water, Gatorade, and CarbBoom! are located at Fletcher's Cove, Lock 6, Lock 7, and Lock 10 while supplies last. On-site parking is available (about 325 spaces); additional street parking options and directions are provided for alternate parking.
Awards include cash prizes for the full marathon overall top three men and women ($250, $150, $100) plus age-group awards for top three M/F in ten-year divisions. The half marathon includes age-group awards but no cash prizes for overall top finishers. All finishers receive a specially cast finisher medal; the medal depicts Abebe Bikila breaking the Olympic marathon finish-line tape. Entry is limited to the first 350 entrants and open to those able to finish within six hours. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
