Potomac River Run Marathon
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Event overview
The Potomac River Run Marathon & Half is a spring road/trail event organized by the Safety And Health Foundation with support from ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute. The 23rd edition is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, on the C&O Canal Towpath in Washington, DC. The event offers two distances:
- 26.2 miles (full marathon)
- 13.1 miles (half marathon)
Entry is limited to the first 350 entrants and the event is open to runners who can complete the course in under six hours. Both distances serve as qualifiers for several major marathons; the full marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Results are recorded with RFID chip timing and published via WebScorer.
Course and logistics
Both races start and finish at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC, on a mostly flat out-and-back route along the C&O Canal Towpath. The surface is crushed stone and packed dirt or gravel, with the highest elevation at 44 m and the lowest at 12 m above sea level. The course is USATF-certified (DC21001RT).
Aid stations with water, Gatorade, friendly volunteers, and toilets are located at Fletcher's Cove and at Locks 6, 7, and 10 (specific mile markers provided by the organizer). Packet pick-up occurs in the days before the race at ACE Physical Therapy and at Pacers Running Store in Clarendon, with on-site pickup on race day. Parking at Fletcher's Cove is free but limited; several off-site parking options are identified. Awards include prize money for top overall finishers in the full marathon and commemorative awards by age group. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
