2024 & 2025 EVENT CANCELED. From race website: “Based on our 2023 experience, the DC Road Runners Club has determined the George Washington’s Birthday Marathon course is not suitable for further use. We did not hold the race in 2024, and there will not be a 2025 presentation of the …
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2024 & 2025 EVENT CANCELED. From race website: “Based on our 2023 experience, the DC Road Runners Club has determined the George Washington’s Birthday Marathon course is not suitable for further use. We did not hold the race in 2024, and there will not be a 2025 presentation of the Marathon.We are considering options to bring the Marathon back in 2026. We need first to identify a location where we can safely conduct the race, a location with less vehicular traffic than we experience in Beltsville.”
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George Washington’s Birthday Marathon and Relay is the longest-running marathon in the National Capital area. The race features:
- Awesome finisher’s medals
- Over $1500 in award money, Marathon and Marathon Relay option
- Free digital race photos
- 13 aid stations at approximately two-mile intervals
- Great food and post race party indoors to keep you warm.
- Showers after finish!
- Free post-race massage
- Boston marathon qualifying certified course.
- Free training plan/program
The marathon is a three-loop course through Greenbelt, Maryland and the U.S.D.A. Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. USATF-certified, Boston Marathon qualifier.
Relay option: three (or two) runners complete 9.7, 7.3 and 9.2 mile legs.
Aid stations: 13 aid stations at approximately two-mile intervals. Water and Gatorade at all; PowerGel at many.
Comfort Stations: facilities available at aid stations (except for 2.4-mile).
Time limit: 6½ hours (equates to a 14:53/mile pace). Solo marathoners must begin the third loop by 2:15 pm.
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Tough course, on roads with traffic
This race was well run enough - having a finish line and a start line, with one or two aid stations. Much of the course was through the scenic NASA … MORE
This race was well run enough – having a finish line and a start line, with one or two aid stations. Much of the course was through the scenic NASA Goddard property so the scenery was mostly good. However, a lot of it was on paved runs, some stretches on roads with traffic that had not been closed off. Felt a bit dangerous at points. The course decides to through you a massive hill at the very end – the steepest gradient hill I believe I’ve ever experienced on a course.
Personally, I’ll admit, it wasn’t the greatest experience I had for a marathon either so there’s that. I don’t think they run this marathon anymore.
A fun time!
I enjoyed the three-loop course, which kept it less lonely than it might have been otherwise. Aid stations were well stocked and had friendly volunteers. The hills were not bad … MORE
I enjoyed the three-loop course, which kept it less lonely than it might have been otherwise.
Aid stations were well stocked and had friendly volunteers.
The hills were not bad until mile 20 or so…. and even then, the downhills were awesome. My garmin says 1480 feet of climb.
Weather was nice in 2020. Nice rural landscape for most of the run, then part on the road, which I weirdly didn’t mind because it created variety. It was nice to know what to expect on loops 2 and 3.
I ran into someone I knew (I am local). Friendly vibe–also chatted with several strangers on the course. Parking and packet pickup easy.
Nice shirt and medal.
Nice winter marathon
There are few options to run winter races in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic. DC Road Runners club puts on this nice race. I am biased since I am a club member. Since … MORE
There are few options to run winter races in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic. DC Road Runners club puts on this nice race. I am biased since I am a club member. Since it is in the winter, be warned that the race has been canceled in the past. The club and volunteers are great. Nice race!