Marine Corps Marathon

The 50th Marine Corps Marathon drew a record field of over 35,000 runners in Washington, D.C. and Arlington; Kyle King won the men's race and Tessa Barrett set a new women's course record.

Organizers announced the suspension of registration deferment and bib transfer programs for future races, citing increased administrative burden and fraud concerns, with limited exceptions for active-duty service members with official orders.

1. 01Lincoln Memorial: Around mile 10, runners pass by the back of this monumental tribute to the 16th U.S. president.
2. 02National Mall: Between miles 16 and 20, the course traverses the National Mall, offering views of landmarks such as the Washington Monument, National World War II Memorial, and the U.S. Capitol.
3. 0314th Street Bridge: At mile 20, runners face the "Beat the Bridge" challenge, crossing the Potomac River via this bridge back into Virginia.
4. 04Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial): The race concludes uphill at this iconic statue honoring Marines who have died in service. .COM

• General Registration: Open as of April 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST. Standard rate $240. Verify current pricing and any early-bird/late tiers on the official MCM website.
• MCM Four Star Packages: Comprehensive bundles include guaranteed race entry, hotel accommodations at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, transportation, and more. Packages cater to varying lengths of stay and can accommodate one or two runners.
• Charity Partners: Runners can secure guaranteed entry by partnering with one of the MCM's affiliated charities. This involves fundraising for the chosen organization in exchange for marathon entry. Details about charity partners and their registration processes are available on the official MCM website.
• MCM Runners Club: Individuals who have completed the MCM five or more times are eligible to join the MCM Runners Club, granting them guaranteed annual access to marathon registration.
• Active Duty and Reserve Military Registration: A limited number of discounted entries are available exclusively for active duty and reserve military members.
• Refund Protect (TEAK): an optional third-party refund product offered at registration or within five days of it. Verify current terms and pricing on the official MCM website.

• Open to runners worldwide (no citizenship or residency requirement)
• Minimum age 14 on race day to enter the full marathon
• All participants must be registered and wear their assigned bib to start
• Participants must clear all three wall-clock gauntlets (approximately Mile 17 by 12:33 PM, Mile 20 by 1:15 PM, approximately Mile 22 by 1:49 PM); the race publishes no finish-line time limit
• No wheeled devices, pets, bicycles, headphones that impede awareness, or strollers allowed on course
• Guaranteed entry options exist for active-duty and retired military; additional guaranteed or charity entries available through official partners
• Entry is via official registration channels (lottery, guaranteed entries, charity/travel partners); transfer and deferral rules follow race policy
• Medical clearance recommended for those with health concerns; participants must obey race rules and instructions from race and public safety officials

• Registration Confirmation: After successfully registering for the race, you'll receive a confirmation email.
• E-Card: Prior to the event, an E-Card will be emailed to you. This card serves as your official participant identification.
• Packet Pick-Up: To collect your race bib and event materials, present your E-Card (either printed or on a mobile device) at the designated Packet Pick-Up location.
• Ensure you also have a valid photo ID with you.
• If you're unable to attend in person, a proxy can retrieve your packet by providing: A hard copy of your signed E-Card, A copy of your photo ID, The proxy's own photo ID.

• No transfers and no deferrals. The Marine Corps Marathon Organization does not permit transfers or deferrals for the 2026 events; all registrations are final and may not be transferred to another individual or postponed to a future year.
• Deferments granted from the 2025 season are honoured for 2026 participation, through a dedicated re-registration window that ran 2 February to 1 March 2026.
• Registration fees are otherwise non-refundable. The race offers Refund Protect through TEAK, a third-party refund product purchasable at registration or within five days of it; claims require documentation and must be filed within 30 days of the event.