Potomac River Run Marathon
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Potomac River Run Marathon & Half
The Potomac River Run Marathon and Half is scheduled for May 2, 2026, on the C&O Canal Towpath with start and finish at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC. The event offers two certified distances:
- 26.2 miles
- 13.1 miles
The course is USATF certified (DC21001RT), mostly flat, and almost entirely unpaved crushed stone and packed dirt. The route is out-and-back once for the half and twice for the full, with highest and lowest elevations of approximately 44 m and 12 m above sea level. Brief paved segments occur only on a wooden footbridge and where concrete protects the trail under I-495.
Aid stations supply water, Gatorade, volunteers, and toilets at Fletcher's Cove and at several canal locks. Spectator access is available at Chain Bridge and multiple locks reachable from eastbound Clara Barton Parkway. Chip timing uses an RFID tag attached to the bib and results are published live via WebScorer. Finishers receive a medallion and can use recovery refreshments and a post-race picnic at the towpath.
Registration is limited to the first 350 entrants and is open to runners who can complete the course in under six hours. Packet pickup is available before race day at local partners and on site at Fletcher's Cove. The event also commemorates World Laughter Day and organizes a pre-race dinner in the Clarendon area. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
