Marine Corps Marathon

Known as "The People's Marathon," the Marine Corps Marathon winds past iconic D.C. landmarks including the Pentagon, National Mall, and Capitol. No prize money — just pride.

Washington, D.C., USA · October · 42.195 km (26.2 mi)

moderate

Elevation profile

43.4 km course

GAIN+61 m

LOSS−61 m

Plan your splits

42.195 km · 26.2 mi · Washington, D.C., USA

Goal finish time

Even-pace target

9:09

min/mi

Even-pace

4:00:00

Grade-adjusted

4:00:14

+0:14

Grade-adjusted splits

Strava Adjusted Pace · per mile

#	Grade	Pace	Split	Cumulative
1	+0.4%	9:09/mi	9:09	9:09
2	+1.6%	9:42/mi	9:42	18:51
3	+0.4%	9:09/mi	9:09	28:00
4	-2.4%	8:39/mi	8:39	36:40
5	-0.1%	9:09/mi	9:09	45:49
6	-0.2%	9:09/mi	9:09	54:58
7	+0.2%	9:09/mi	9:09	1:04:07
8	+0.0%	9:09/mi	9:09	1:13:17
9	-0.2%	9:09/mi	9:09	1:22:26
10	-0.1%	9:09/mi	9:09	1:31:35
11	-0.1%	9:09/mi	9:09	1:40:44
12	-0.1%	9:09/mi	9:09	1:49:53
13	-0.0%	9:09/mi	9:09	1:59:03
14	-0.0%	9:09/mi	9:09	2:08:12
15	+0.0%	9:09/mi	9:09	2:17:21
16	+0.2%	9:09/mi	9:09	2:26:30
17	+0.0%	9:09/mi	9:09	2:35:40
18	-0.0%	9:09/mi	9:09	2:44:49
19	+0.1%	9:09/mi	9:09	2:53:58
20	-0.0%	9:09/mi	9:09	3:03:07
21	+0.1%	9:09/mi	9:09	3:12:16
22	+0.0%	9:09/mi	9:09	3:21:26
23	+0.2%	9:09/mi	9:09	3:30:35
24	-0.1%	9:09/mi	9:09	3:39:44
25	-0.2%	9:09/mi	9:09	3:48:53
26	+0.2%	9:09/mi	9:09	3:58:03
27	+0.3%	9:09/mi	2:00	4:00:03

Splits factor the course elevation. Steep climbs widen the pace, descents tighten it — total time on the right matches the grade-adjusted finish above.

Course highlights

What makes MCM special

Start at the Pentagon
Run past the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol
Famous "Beat the Bridge" challenge at mile 20
Finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial

Race-day tips

Run it smart

Train for rolling hills — the course is not flat
Start conservatively; the hills come late
No headphones allowed on the course
Arrive early — security screening is thorough

Difficulty

Rolling course with two notable climbs

Real GPS profile (~61m gain)
Front-loaded climb up Langston Blvd
Late "Beat the Bridge" challenge
October heat possible