Marine Corps Marathon

The Marine Corps Marathon was founded in 1976, during the golden age of mass-participation running. Now 50 years old, it has established itself as a beloved fixture in Washington, growing from its early editions into a race with genuine character and loyal following.

The course record of 02:08:23, set by Meb Keflezighi in 2014, speaks to what the Marine Corps Marathon offers elite athletes: a fast, honest course where serious times are achievable. The record has drawn increasingly competitive fields year after year.

The Marine Corps Marathon route is one of those courses where runners forget their pace and reach for their phones. The scenery through Washington and its surroundings has earned this race a reputation as one of the most photogenic in North America.

With 28,000 finishers and spectators lining the course deep, the Marine Corps Marathon generates an atmosphere that carries runners through the hard miles. The crowd support in Washington is not polite applause — it's visceral, personal, and often the difference between hitting the wall and breaking through it.

No prize money. No elite field. The Marine Corps Marathon is the largest marathon in the world that doesn't offer prize money, earning it the nickname 'The People's Marathon.' Every finisher receives their medal from a United States Marine — a tradition that reduces grown adults to tears at mile 26.2.