Brenda Wolfe's Staging Area

I was so excited to finally brave running a full marathon and the MCM was the obvious choice. It did not disappoint. I love all #runningwiththemarines races and this was no different. The encouragement along the way from service men & women and spectators is like no other. I stayed at a hotel in Clarendon even though I live fairly local, in Gainesville. I was up at 5AM and hopped in my car for the 12 minute ride to the parking garage in Crystal City. Once parked I was on a bus to the runners village within 15 minutes. Got there in time to use the restroom, stretch and just prepare myself for the race. Walked about a 1/4 mile up to my starting corral and awaited the start. Most hills were at the beginning of the race, I felt I had plenty of water & fuel opportunities along the way, and the course was clearly marked and passed so many wonderful sights in DC. The finish was a bit confusing & troublesome to meet up with loved ones but I was so in the moment of what I had just done that it didn’t really matter. Overall awesome experience and I highly recommend this race to anyone trying tone for the first time. And holy cow do we have the most handsome Marines!! 🙂

First time running this one and was very pleased. Packet pick up was well organized, lots of fun swag from previous years that is either free or on sale. All of the race festivities were so much fun, lots of great volunteers. Course is super flat, may be two slight hills. You run for a couple of miles along the water so that was cool. Lots of friendly people cheering you on. Party at the end was so much fun! Great band and lots of food and drinks. Definitely coming back next year!

This was the most scenic, beautiful race I’ve ever ran! I’m sure my time would have been much better but I just HAD to stop and say hello to all the cows and stray kitties along the way. I thought the hills were minimal and none were excruciating. A lot of nice, flat pavement dominated the race. Was overcast so not too hot, great communication from organizers and well run start and finish. This will be my annual September run going forward!

Race started at 2 Silos brewery and went straight up discovery Drive, looped around halfway and then straight back. Very easy course, flat and well marked. Great volunteers along the way! The finish line was clearly marked and there were tons of big construction equipment for the kids to look at and climb on. because the race ended at the brewery it was nice to step right in and we were allowed one free drink. Overall a really fun and easy race close to home. Cute trophies for top finishers, too! I do know that in 2023 it will not start and end at the brewery but will be right next-door so easy to walk over and still enjoy your beer!