Arlington welcomes the Marine Corps Marathon for the first time since Covid-19

The Marine Corps Marathon returns to Arlington this Sunday, October 30, bringing thousands of runners to the area for the first time since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The marathon was held virtually in 2020 and 2021. 

The racecourse will begin in Rosslyn and runners spend the first four miles in Arlington before crossing the Key Bridge into Georgetown. The course continues throughout D.C., before crossing back into Virginia on the 14th Street Bridge and finishing the race through Crystal City and Pentagon City.

“Motorists can expect significant delays in and around the racecourse,” said Ashley Savage, Arlington County Police Department public information officer.

ACPD announced a long list of road closures in Arlington, primarily affecting residents who live near the racecourse. This includes areas such as Rosslyn, Pentagon City and Crystal City.

Some of the race day road closures include: 

From approximately 3:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

• Fort Myer Drive, from 19th Street N. to N. Meade Street
• N. Lynn Street, from 19th Street N. to N. Meade Street
• N. Moore Street, from 19th Street N. to Wilson Boulevard

From approximately 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

• 19th Street N., from N. Lynn Street to Fort Myer Drive
• Fort Myer Drive, from Key Bridge to Westbound Langston Boulevard
• Fort Myer Drive, from 19th Street N. to Langston Boulevard

From approximately 6:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

• Westbound 15th Street S., from S. Eads Street to S. Bell Street
• Ramp from Southbound Richmond Highway to 15th Street S.
• Ramp from Northbound Richmond Highway to 15th Street S.

From approximately 6:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

• Fort Myer Drive, from Westbound Langston Boulevard to Eastbound Langston Boulevard
• N. Nash Street, from Westbound Langston Boulevard to Eastbound Langston Boulevard
• Long Bridge Drive, from Boundary Drive to 12th Street S.

A complete list of all road closures and parking changes can be found in an announcement made by ACPD.

The Marine Corps Marathon Organization, which hosts the marathon, is a Non-Appropriated Fund government entity. Their revenue comes from the event registrations and sponsorships for such events. 

Non-Appropriated Funds are authorized or sanctioned by government agencies and come primarily from the sale of goods and services to Department of Defense military and civilian personnel and their family members. They are sustained with profits from operations.

Kristen Loflin, the public relations coordinator for the MCMO, called the upcoming race “exciting,” as it is the first in-person marathon since she joined the organization in 2021.

Loflin said the race this year will feature a new location for the Runners Village, where runners gather and prepare before the race begins.

The new Runners Village will be located at the intersection of Army Navy Drive and S. Fern Street. Rather than one smaller location, Loflin said the Runners Village will be along Route 110 as runners prepare to come up to the start line.

The Runners Village was previously located in the north Pentagon parking lot.

Loflin said they made that change because they “could guarantee working with Arlington partners” to bring the live event, rather than working on Pentagon property.

“It’s a way to celebrate that Arlington has been such an incredible partner for us,” Loflin said.

The Rosslyn Business Improvement District, a designated 17-block mixed-use urban center in the heart of Rosslyn, is a presenting sponsor for the upcoming Marine Corps Marathon.

Nisha Patel, the Marketing and Communications Director for Rosslyn Business Improvement District, said the community is excited to welcome the expected 23,000 participants and their families to Rosslyn.

“Our businesses directly benefit from the influx of people in the neighborhood on race day/weekend, which then translates into additional business for our restaurants and retail,” Patel said.

Rosslyn BID provides services to enhance, grow and maintain the neighborhood through a public/private partnership with Arlington County.

Towson University’s Regional Economic Studies Institute conducted a study following the 2013 Marine Corps Marathon, showing the economic impact of the marathon throughout Arlington and Washington, D.C.

The MCMO announced the findings of the study in a news release, showing that the marathon yielded $88 million in money spent throughout Arlington and Washington, D.C. The majority of that money, approximately $59.7 million, was spent in Arlington County.

Amanda Beucler-Rapos, whose husband is an active-duty marine, said she would be running the Marine Corps Marathon for the first time this year.

Beucler-Rapos finished in first place in the Marine Corps 17.75k race in March. She said she plans on visiting several memorials and the Arlington National Cemetery during her visit this weekend.

“Running is the best way to see a place,” Beucler-Rapos said.