Great Falls Half
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Great Falls Half
The Great Falls Half includes a half marathon, a 10K, and a 5K on the C&O Canal towpath, starting and finishing at Great Falls Tavern beside Lock 20 in Potomac, MD on November 21, 2026. The field is capped under a National Park Service permit, so registration closes when the cap is reached.
- Half marathon 13.1 miles along the canal past Widewater, Old Angler's Inn, and Carderock.
- 10K out past Old Angler's Inn and back.
- 5K short route near the visitor center.
The course runs downstream from the tavern, turns around, and returns beside the sound of the falls. The towpath is nearly flat, built for mules, and has a crushed stone and packed dirt surface with the canal on one side and the Potomac on the other. Starts are staggered so participants finish together. The trail remains open to hikers and cyclists; participants are asked to keep right, pass on the left, and call out when passing. One ear should remain free when wearing headphones.
Timing and on-course services include chip timing and results, aid stations on the towpath, and live GPS tracking via Geo.Racing. Finish amenities include a race shirt, finisher medal, awards for the top three men and women in each distance, and scratch made donuts and pizza. Parking at the Tavern lot is limited and the park charges a $20 vehicle entrance fee paid by card. Registration may affect available shirt sizes. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
