The Marine Corps 17.75K is a uniquely Marine event. The distance reflects the year the Corps was established. The setting is Prince William Forest Park with finishers emerging from the among the trees emulating the Marines at the Battle of Belleau Wood. The men and women who cross the finish earn access to the Marine Corps Marathon.
The Marine Corps 17.75K course in scenic Prince William Forest Park features a 11.03 mile run over rolling hills and winding turns in a densely wooded backdrop. The 17.75K starts and finishes outside Montclair Tabernacle Church located in Dumfries VA, near Marine Corps Base Quantico and sends runners on a course through Prince William Forest Park.
The Marine Corps 17.75K course begins just outside the church as runners head north (in a secured southbound lane of Route 234 and along the paved shoulder) before quickly turning left onto the gravel pathway of Pleasant Road to enter Prince William Forest Park.
The lollipop course begins with approximately two miles of gravel terrain beginning on Pleasant Road and turning right onto Burma Road. Runners then cross over Scenic Drive and travel downward on Taylor Farm Road before turning left onto Old Black Top Road (both roads are gravel).
Runners then turn right onto Scenic Drive, traveling clockwise. Near Mile 9, runners will make a left turn back onto Burma Road, heading toward the finish. Runners will complete a short out-and-back portion just before turning back onto Pleasant Road. Once on Pleasant Road, runners will continue straight until the final right turn, where they will exit Prince William Forest Park and follow the bicycle path to the 17.75K finish.
Runners must maintain 20 minute miles at the 17.75K.
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Ran with the Marines!!
They were not kidding when they said that this would be a challenging race! And I heard it was going to be hilly; also, no joke. Whew! I am glad … MORE
They were not kidding when they said that this would be a challenging race! And I heard it was going to be hilly; also, no joke. Whew! I am glad that the weather was perfect and I finished, which was my main goal. I’m also glad the start and finish line were in the same place and it was very well organized. Enough water stations along the course. Plenty of volunteers. Race photographers along the course to capture me struggling but also managing to have a smile on my face for the most part. I just had fun with this race and was super proud to be a part of it. The medal is awesome and the tshirt is the perfect material to run in. I would run this race again even though it was tough!
Must Run This Event.
I’m a novice 78 year old runner. Forest setting was fantastic. “What Hill” easy to forget through convenient amnesia! “Straightening out the course” saved me 5 minutes in overall time. … MORE
I’m a novice 78 year old runner.
Forest setting was fantastic.
“What Hill” easy to forget through convenient amnesia!
“Straightening out the course” saved me 5 minutes in overall time.
The best part of this race review is to acknowledge the marine who, at the three steep hills leading to the Finish state, “Sir. WE are going to get you up those hills”.
Notice the emphasis on “WE”.
This Marine, armed with “Gallow humor”, had me laughing all the way up three successive steep slopes.
It is what ethe Marine Corps is all about.
My only regret is that after sprinting to the finish I lost track of the Marine who, in battle I’d have called my “fighting hole buddy”.
I finished last in this race.
You never would have known that from the reception at the Start/Finish.
Semper Fidelis from start to finish, and the Marine Corps way.
Welcome to the Marine Corps 17.75
The Marine Corps 17.75 is a little different. Most if not all where there to get the golden ticket to the MCM. The pre-race communications were fine. I stayed well … MORE
The Marine Corps 17.75 is a little different. Most if not all where there to get the golden ticket to the MCM. The pre-race communications were fine. I stayed well informed about what to expect and the details to the race. There is no expo, just a packet pickup location. Easy in and out
Race day – there is no parking at the park. There were at least 3 locations to park in the area. There you take a bus to a drop-off location. There was plenty of parking at the commuter lot that I went to. They do tell you there is a walk of about a mile to the starting line. Not too bad in the morning but it was a little more of a challenge in the afternoon.
This lollipop course is interesting. The first two miles are more of a trail. It had rained the night before, so it was a little muddy to start. This trail portion has pretty good hills. I had to pull up for the downhill parts to prevent from slipping and on the return the up-hill portions were tough. The remainder of the course was a beautifully paved route. Clean and much easier to run.
There were no corals so starting was a crowded. Overall, not an issue. There is some post-race swag, but within a hour of finishing the race you do receive your invitation to the MCM, so that is the biggest reward. There really was very little crowd support. Aid stations were plentiful. Only suggestion would be to have more Marines there to support the event. Overall, I very much enjoyed the event.
Tough hills, but oh the scenery!
This is a half trail/half paved road race and while the hills are brutal (I'm talking steep uphill and downhill), it is manageable and running in the park is the … MORE
This is a half trail/half paved road race and while the hills are brutal (I’m talking steep uphill and downhill), it is manageable and running in the park is the epitome of tranquility. But of course, the Marines are exceptionally notorious for staging some great, but challenging races for runners of all experiences and I’ve come to expect that. Also, pre-race communication was excellent and the medal this year is unique. I love everything about this race and I highly recommend to anyone, regardless of your level of experience.
Brutal Hills, Smooth Logistics
The first of many Marine Corps races for me - they have a great reputation for putting on well-organized and challenging races, and this one did not disappoint. The pre-race … MORE
The first of many Marine Corps races for me – they have a great reputation for putting on well-organized and challenging races, and this one did not disappoint.
The pre-race communication was excellent. We received timely and relevant updates, and I had no problem figuring out where to be and when. If you are doing this one, follow the advice: “Race day packet pickup is a last resort” – it was so smooth picking up my packet the day before, while the line at the race looked rough!
As an added bonus, there was a fun and very motivating virtual challenge prior to the race which earned an extra challenge coin upon completion. I was one of 19 folks that finished it!
Race day logistics seemed complicated beforehand, but it was relatively smooth. Plan to get there early – you need to park off-site, take a shuttle, then walk almost a mile. It was at least 30-40 minutes from parking to arriving at the start area. There were ample porta potties there, but the lines started to get long closer to race time.
The start area was very crowded, and the race starts on a relatively small gravel trail. One possible area for improvement would have been expected pace signage. We were instructed to line up according to pace, but a lot of people didn’t know where to line up. I spent the first 1-2 miles trying to weave around slower runners who lined up towards the front.
The course is challenging. It’s a big loop starting and ending in the same spot. The beginning and end were on the same muddy gravel trail with small steep hills and quite a few turns. The middle of the race is comparatively smooth – all paved road. Very fast, mostly downhill for a large chunk of the race, and then lots of steep uphills on the way back. The course is very quiet (only a handful of supporters) and quite scenic. We had perfect weather this year: 50-60s and sunny.
There was adequate hydration throughout the course, although they could have been more consistent in differentiating between Nuun and water – I wasn’t sure which I was getting when I took a cup, but it didn’t bother me too much as I was used to either. The last two miles are absolutely brutal – I knew they were coming, but somehow they felt much steeper towards the end of the race.
Overall, a great race and a perfect early season fitness test for those planning on the Marine Corps Marathon.
Difficult Race! Definitely Worth It!
This was my first race after surgery (about 6 weeks prior), so I was definitely out of shape! The weather was perfect since I wasn't freezing and I wasn't too … MORE
This was my first race after surgery (about 6 weeks prior), so I was definitely out of shape! The weather was perfect since I wasn’t freezing and I wasn’t too hot. The course is run through the Prince William Forest Park, so the scenery was very nice.
The course is hilly and some parts of it was rocky, so I wouldn’t use it for a PR. Most of the race at least is one pavement, so I was able to run somewhat comfortably.
Tough Race but Ticket to the MCM
The race was super organized, plenty of shuttles, lots of nearby hotels with reasonable prices. Race started on a hill and had some gnarly hills with gravel. Race signs were … MORE
The race was super organized, plenty of shuttles, lots of nearby hotels with reasonable prices. Race started on a hill and had some gnarly hills with gravel. Race signs were awesome. Volunteers were great and lots of water and hydration stations. The reason we flew there to do it is to get the *access granted* for the Marine Corps Marathon.
A fun & unique distance
Very well organized, and instructions provided on the website and in emails are sufficient to make the race day morning logistics stress free. The quality of the shirt material and … MORE
Very well organized, and instructions provided on the website and in emails are sufficient to make the race day morning logistics stress free. The quality of the shirt material and print is the best shirt I’ve ever received at a race. A few very appreciable hills on the course! But also lots of time spent running mostly flat. The forest flanks you at all times during the run, so it was scenic in my book.
Year of the relentless COLD rain
Hilariously wet and cold! It rained cartoonishly hard, sideways. And I'm from Oregon, I *really* know rain! The bummer was that we were bussed to the start, and there weren't … MORE
Hilariously wet and cold! It rained cartoonishly hard, sideways. And I’m from Oregon, I *really* know rain! The bummer was that we were bussed to the start, and there weren’t enough pop-up awnings to huddle under so we got soaked while waiting to start. If I had swam to the start line, I could not have been wetter. Then we ran in non-stop, hard rain though the forest. I would have given higher marks for organization, but the food line when I finished was way too long, and there should have been somewhere for runners to stay dry, at least until we started or after we finished. Otherwise, the expo was great, and the busses were on schedule. The race intro speakers were too long winded, except for the ceremonial starter who was given the mic and said, “RUNNERS SET! GO!!” Thanks for that, sir.
Hills and Rain!
The Marines always host great races! The hill at 1.5 miles was just the beginning of the hills. The misty rain turned into a steady downpour however it wasn't bad … MORE
The Marines always host great races! The hill at 1.5 miles was just the beginning of the hills. The misty rain turned into a steady downpour however it wasn’t bad because it wasn’t cold. The run through Prince Williams Forest was quiet and relaxing as there were no spectators. In additional to a T-shirt we also received a nice coffee table picture book about the Marine Corp Marathon which is very nice. I recommend this race.
Holy Hills!
The race atmosphere at a Marine Corps Marathon event is always amazing! LOVED this course, super hilly and I walked up most but the scenery is beautiful and the energy … MORE
The race atmosphere at a Marine Corps Marathon event is always amazing! LOVED this course, super hilly and I walked up most but the scenery is beautiful and the energy is contagious. Our race day was cold and rainy but everyone was working hard, smiling, cheering and I would not have wanted to be anywhere else. Definitely adding this race to my yearly checklist!
Virtual-ly Awesome
Wow MCM killed it on letting us run our own race. Such an awesome way to motivated the masses. I was able to take the "coarse" elevation chart and find … MORE
Wow MCM killed it on letting us run our own race. Such an awesome way to motivated the masses. I was able to take the “coarse” elevation chart and find a similar location near home and had a race day even with shelter in place in acted.
Mud Mud, Hills Hills
People run this race just for the Access Granted after you finish. For those of you who don't know what that means: people hover at their computers and speed to … MORE
People run this race just for the Access Granted after you finish. For those of you who don’t know what that means: people hover at their computers and speed to register for this race because once you’ve successfully finished this 17.75k (~11 mile) race you get guaranteed entrance into the Marine Corp Marathon (yay for skipping the lottery).
The course is a lollipop course that loops through the state park just outside of Quantico. It was pretty, and chilly, I mean it’s a March race so not a big surprise on the chill. But it was much hillier than I expected, also the MidAtlantic states had been uncharacteristically wet so the parts of the course that were not on a paved surface were muddy as f&#$.
They had water stops manned by Marines, which was nice. And there were cute signs along the course, but it was pretty quiet when it came to crowd support. (Keep that in mind if you are someone who needs crowd support.)
No food on the course, but the food after was good (popcorn!! = game changer).
Even though it was a limited entry race so it was smaller than pretty much all the other races I have ever done, there were A LOT of bottleneck areas. Especially in the beginning, on the hills, with the mud.
Though I did overhear another runner mention that they could tell who was just a road runner versus people who have trained on trails. Mud doesn’t bug me, I also was one of the ones who has trained on trails.
Marine Corps 17.75K Race Report
Hubby and I had to get up early the morning of the Marine Corps 17.75K race, before sunrise, before the hot breakfast was available at our hotel. The U.S. Marines … MORE
Hubby and I had to get up early the morning of the Marine Corps 17.75K race, before sunrise, before the hot breakfast was available at our hotel. The U.S. Marines are master event planners; when they tell you to be at a shuttle location before 6:00 a.m., you get to a shuttle location before 6:00 a.m.
3,300 runners registered to run this race. Registration opens on February 20 at noon for the March 23 race and sells out in a matter of hours. It may seem surprising that thousands of runners wait by their computers to sign up to race this unusual distance, run entirely in Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia, but (1.) the race is sponsored by the Marine Corps and (2.) finishing the race in under three hours gives you guaranteed access to register for the Marine Corps Marathon in October. (You can read about my registration saga here.) Typically, you must take your chances in a lottery in order to run this very popular marathon.
At exactly 7:00:00, as the sun was just peeking over the horizon, the starting horn sounded and we were off.
After running for a very short time on a highway, we quickly transitioned to a narrow dirt and gravel park road. The road, rutted and full of potholes that had filled up with rain from the previous day, gave the race almost a trail race-like feel for the first four miles, which I liked. The gravel road had some pretty good rolling hills, some of them steep, but none very long.
To read the full race report, please go here:
https://meditationsinmotion.wordpress.com/2019/03/28/marine-corps-17-75k-race-report/
Access Granted for MCM
Registration for this race sold out in minutes--less than 15, if I remember correctly. I chose to do it because it would grant me guaranteed access into the Marine Corps … MORE
Registration for this race sold out in minutes–less than 15, if I remember correctly. I chose to do it because it would grant me guaranteed access into the Marine Corps Marathon later on in the year. I knew others who elected to try their luck in the lottery (some made it, others had to sign up with a charity to get in). This was the safe approach–plus I get to do another race with the Marines! The race takes place in a hilly forest, partly on trails and partly on a road going through the park. I wasn’t expecting as much elevation change as there was, but it was a great experience. Military family members can reserve a hotel room on the Marine Corps Base Quantico which is just ten minutes drive away.
Beautiful but challenging course
This course goes through the Prince William Forest, switching between gravel and paved surfaces with lots of hills. The scenery is beautiful, as you get to experience sunrise within the … MORE
This course goes through the Prince William Forest, switching between gravel and paved surfaces with lots of hills. The scenery is beautiful, as you get to experience sunrise within the forest. It’s amazing running with 2000 people with no noise except the sounds of breathing and feet hitting the ground. If you need a crowd to distract you, you won’t find it here (until the very end). But, if you enjoy running with natural beauty all around you, this is the course for you.