22nd annual Potomac River Run Marathon & Half

Saturday 3rd May 2025

Fletcher's Cove on the C&O Canal Towpath: 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington, United States

Distance running, Other endurance, Running, Marathon, Half marathon


Activities

  • Half Marathon or Full Marathon - Non-Members
  • Half Marathon or Full Marathon - Members of supporting clubs or active duty military
  • Sponsors - Sponsors - - see www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/marathon/sponsor.doc
  • Only Pre-Race Dinner or Cab Ride - Pre-race all-you-can-eat dinner at Big Tony's Pizzeria in Clarendon - $10
  • Only Pre-Race Dinner or Cab Ride - Red Top Cab ride from Crystal City Marriott to Fletcher's Cove. Departs 7:00 AM, returns after you finish ($10)
  • Only Pre-Race Dinner or Cab Ride - Pre-Race Dinner AND Round-Trip Cab Ride ($20)
  • Transfer from another person or use a deferral from a previous race - Transfer from another person or use a deferral from a previous race

Description

  • EVENTS: 
  • Thursday, May 1, 2:00 PM-6:45 PM, packet assembly and early-bird packet pick-up at ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute, 2841 Hartland Road #401, Falls Church VA -- 0.7 miles from Dunn Loring Metro Station
  • Friday, May 2, 12 noon to 5:45 PM packet pick-up at Pacers Running Store, 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA -- across the street from Clarendon Metro Station
  • Friday, May 2, 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM pre-race dinner at Big Tony's Pizzeria, next door to Pacers, also 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA.  Guest speaker: Dr. Ben Pearl, DPM - podiatrist, runner, bicyclist, weightlifter: "The Footman Runneth:  How to prevent & cure foot injuries"
  • Saturday, May 3, 7:15-8:45 AM, on-site at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC.  Closest Metro Station is Rosslyn 3 miles away in Arlington
  • 8:00 AM: FULL MARATHON START
  • 9:00 AM: HALF MARATHON START
  • Flat - scenic - beautiful views of the Potomac River - tree-lined - shaded - out'n'back
  • Start and finish at Fletcher's Cove
  • 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
  • USATF certified course 
  • Course elevation profile: -------------------------------
  • Highest point is 44m above sea level, lowest point is 12m above sea level
  • Enjoy a lovely day on the C&O Canal Towpath!
  • See displays about the historic C&O Canal before & after race
  • The race course is 99% crushed gravel -- no hills -- no pavement except for two short stretches to prevent erosion, no cross streets
  • Be aware the aid stations close down as the last runner approaches:  Lock 10 closes at 1:00 PM.  Lock 7 closes at 1:15 PM.  Lock 5 closes at 1:30 PM.  Please if you are a slow runner, bring your own water bottle to the race
  • See our web page at www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/marathon for every detail about marathon weekend

Event details and schedule

Pre-race dinner at Big Tony's Pizzeria next door to Pacers on Friday, May 2, at 6:15 PM.  Add $10 dinner under Addtional Options

Buy the race director's book

  • You may order an authorgraphed copy of the race director's book The Man Who Stole The Sun for $14, and you can pick-up your copy at packet pick-up.  Its main character is an intrepid 14-year-old runner whose bravery rescues Marine Corps Marathon -- but it's much more than that!

Off-Site Parking Options

  • Parking is limited at Fletcher's Cove, and we must leave spaces open for the general public, as it's a National Park and open to the public even during races
  • Thus we want as many participants as possible to park off-site, so that we leave some parking spaces available at Fletcher's Cove for the general public. Off-site parking options: 
  • • The River School entrance on Reservoir Road
  • • W Street, Bending Lane, or Hutchins Place off Reservoir Road
  • • Palisades Library, 4901 V St NW, Washington, DC 20007     
  • • Our Lady of Victory School, 4755 Whitehaven Pkwy NW, Washington, DC 20007
  • • CVS/pharmacy, 4859 MacArthur Boulevard NW, Washington, DC 20007
  • For only $10 extra, we offer round-trip Red Top Cab rides from our host hotel Crystal City Marriott, located at 1999 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA  22202-3526 (703-413-5500) to Fletcher's Cove on race day, departing at 7:00 AM and arriving about 7:20 AM
  • Please register for the taxi service AT LEAST TWO DAYS in advance
  • From westbound Canal Road, Red Top Cab drops you off at Reservoir Road, at the entrance to Fletcher's Cove
  • Please cross Canal Road CAREFULLY to get to Fletcher's Cove
  • For the return trip after you finish, see the on-site Transportation Director. 
  • After you finish, as soon as we get groups of 4 finishers, we call Red Top Cab for a ride back to Courtyard by Marriott, or elsewhere in DC area if you prefer

Organised by

Safety And Health Foundation

611 South Ivy Street, Arlington

Phone: 7035053567

Event Images