ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute<BR><super>23rd</super> annual Potomac River Run Marathon & Half

ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute
23rd annual Potomac River Run Marathon & Half

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ACE
ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute

23rd annual

POTOMAC RIVER RUN MARATHON & HALF
Saturday, May 2, 2026
8:00 AM FULL MARATHON
9:00 AM HALF MARATHON
On the historic C&O Canal Towpath


Start & finish at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road, Washington DC
The Easiest Trail Marathon & Half in America -- Come see why!
www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/marathon

Commemorating World Laughter Day
WLD
  • Complete 2025 results on our web page and on our Webscorer page
  • Complete awards on our awards page
  • We are now mailing awards with printed certificate enclosed
  • You may claim your award or request your finisher certificate emailed to you as a PDF using this survey form
  • We congratulate our six 2026 Boston Marathon qualifiers:
              Name                                   G   Age City State                 Time
          Andrew Brodeur                         M    35 Bethesda MD               2:37:03
          Jacob Eigner                           M    30 Washington DC             2:53:25
          Sascha Morris                          M    27 New York NY               2:53:40
          Kristin Evans                          F    18 Alpharetta GA             3:10:13
          Ann Kauffman                           F    21 Snoqualmie WA             3:24:06
          Alicia Solow-Niederman                 F    35 Washington DC             3:27:34

  • We invite you to join us in 2026
  • ENTER ONLINE VIA ACTIVE.COM
  • EXPRESS REGISTRATION VIA ACTIVE.COM
  • Open to: runners of all levels of ability who can cover the course in less than 6 hours
  • Limited to the first 350 entrants (this time, we MEAN it)

  • Course Description and Maps Fletcher's Cove  
     

  • Directions to Fletcher's Cove:
    • From the east (Georgetown) or Arlington, Alexandria, and points south, go to Key Bridge
    • If from DC east of Arizona Avenue, head for M Street NW westbound
    • Pass the stoplight at Key Bridge and continue on westbound M Street NW
    • If from Virginia, cross Key Bridge and turn left onto westbouund M Street NW
    • At the stoplight at Foxhall Road, M Street NW ends
    • Bear left onto Canal Road NW
    • Follow the stone wall on the left side of Canal Road NW
    • At the stoplight at Reservoir Road NW, look for the first break in the stone wall and the big white historic Abner Cloud House, the home of the last lockkeeper of the C&O Canal
    • Turn left at the stoplight to take a ramp down to free parking for 85 cars, also permanent and portable toilets
    • Notice the road on the right side of the upper lot, which is badly rutted and takes you through a tunnel under the C&O Canal and Towpath and opens to a parking lot for 225 cars
    • When upper lot is full, we direct you to the tunnel
    • Beware of the potholes and ruts on the right side of the road thru the tunnel

    • If from DC west of Arizona Avenue, take Arizona Avenue south to Canal Road NW
    • Turn left and follow the directions below

    • If from MD, head toward MacArthur Drive
    • Turn onto >Arizona to go south to Canal Road NW
    • From I-495 Capital Beltway, take Exit 41 WEST onto Clara Barton Parkway. When you pass Chain Bridge, Clara Barton Parkway ends and Canal Road NW begins
    • Follow the stone wall on the right side of Canal Road NW
    • At the stoplight at Reservoir Road NW, look for the first break in the stone wall and the big white historic Abner Cloud House, the home of the last lockkeeper of the C&O Canal
    • You can try to make a really sharp right turn to go down the ramp, but that's not safe
    • Your safest tactic is to turn left at the stoplight, proceed up Reservoir Road NW, make a safe U-turn or turn on one of the side streets, then turn back on Reservoir Road NW southbound
    • Then at the stoplight. cross Canal Road NW and turn right to go down the ramp to Fletcher's Cove

    Course Maps:

  • Start and finish at Fletcher's Cove | 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC (Google Map)
  • USATF certified course DC21001RT | Certificate | Color Map | B&W Map | DOC | PDF | GMAP

    Course:

  • Totally flat dirt-packed gravel trail, alongside scenic C&O Canal Towpath
  • The half marathon is out 6.55 miles to Towpath mile 9.65 and back
  • The towpath runs the length of 184.5 miles along the scenic C&O Canal
  • Made of crushed stone and packed dirt, it is perfect for running, biking, and recreational events and programs
  • It is mostly a flat route combined with some hills, turns, and medium or moderate terrain, but it's straight out'n'back where we run this race
  • Please be courteous to other park users. We do not have exclusive use of the trail -- we share it with other runners, walkers, and bicyclists

    Aid stations with water & Gatorade at 4 locations accessible from Canal Road NW & EASTBOUND Clara Barton Parkway:

  • Fletcher's Cove, miles 0.0 & 13.1
  • Lock 5, miles 1.8 & 11.3
  • Lock 7, miles 3.8 & 9.3
  • Lock 10, miles 5.8 & 7.3

    Spectator Access:

  • At the 4 aid stations above, plus:
  • Start / midpoint / finish line at at Fletcher's Cove, miles 0.0 & 13.1
  • Under Chain Bridge, down the spiral ramp to C&O Canal Towpath, where Canal Road NW becomes Clara Barton Parkway NW, miles 1.0 & 12.1 -
          • A good place to watch in case of rain | Free parking on the canal side of Clara Barton Parkway
  • Lock 5 -- off-road parking on the south side of Clara Barton Parkway, legally accessible only from eastbound Clara Barton Parkway -- we would never suggest crossing the median strip
  • Lock 6 -- limited parking
  • Lock 7 -- ample parking
  • Lock 8 -- limited parking
  • Lock 9 -- limited parking
  • Lock 10 -- ample parking
  • Lock 11 -- accessible only on foot from Lock 10 on C&O Canal Towpath
  • Turnaround point (at the end of the blue line) -- accessible only on foot from Lock 10 on C&O Canal Towpath

    Headphones and water belts:

  • Re personal listening devices, we follow USATF rule 144.3.b (Assistance to Athletes):
  • Because we must be able to communicate instructions to you at certain points in our races, we specifically allow wearing headphones during the race, but we specifically prohibit wearing headphones at these points:
      • Start line
      • Aid stations
      • Turnaround
      • Finish line

    • Copyright © 2023 Safety And Health Foundation, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

  • To drive to Fletcher's Cove from Georgetown, head west on M Street.
  • Cross Foxhall Road. M Street becomes Canal Road.
  • Continue west for 1.5 miles on Canal Road to the sign for Fletcher's Cove on the left.
  • CAREFULLY cross the westbound lane to turn onto the driveway.
  • Stay right and follow the tunnel under the C&O Canal to free parking.
  • Alternatively, turn right onto Reservoir Road and park free on any neighborhood street.
  • Please carpool or use our Facebook page to share rides, thoughts, and photos!
  • Civil Twilight at 5:41 AM, Sunrise at 6:09 AM

  • On-site Parking:
    • Parking is free but limited to 385 cars at Fletcher's Cove (see below).
    • Once parking at Fletcher's is filled, cars must turn right onto Reservoir Road and park free on-street.
    • If you take a cab, from westbound Canal Road, ask the driver to drop you off at Reservoir Road, at the entrance to Fletcher's Cove
    • Restrooms are on-site at Fletcher's Cove

  • Drop-off instructions
    • Parking is limited at Fletcher's Cove
    • Your best choice is to have a friend drop you off at the intersection of Canal Road and Reservoir Road
    • then have your friend go to one of the locks to watch you
    • Parking and spectator access is free at Chain Bridge, Locks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, all accessible from EASTBOUND Clara Barton Parkway.
    • Please be careful when you cross Canal Road.

  • Off-Site Parking Options -->

  • T-shirts designed by Karla McDuffie

  • We thank our charity volunteers:

  • 7:45 AM - 22-time Potomac River Run Marathon finisher Michael Creadon plays the National Anthem on trumpet
  • 8:00 AM - Full marathon starts
  • 8:30 AM -- Second Laughing warm-up begins
  • 9:00 AM - Half marathon starts
  • 9:15 AM - First half marathoners finish
  • 9:20 AM - First full marathoners make the midpoint at Fletcher's Cove
  • 12:00 noon - Last half marathoners finish
  • 2:00 PM - Last full marathoners finish
  • We thank our 2025 sponsors:

  • Race-Day Announcer:

  • Buy a Brick Foundation news:
    • This coming year of 2026, Buy a Brick Foundation will have been on the ground in Zimbabwe, Africa for 22 years. This is an incredible feat working in a 3rd world country. Amazing things have taken place over these years. Many completed school building structures and other buildings such as clinics are credited to our original partnership.
    • We have built a total of 44 school blocks and teachers living quarters, established 24 large community gardens that offer a year-round crop rotation giving food to thousands and thousands in the rural bush areas of Zimbabwe.
    • Thanks again for your support. Have a truly blessed year.

  • FAQ:
    • Q. Will water and athletic drinks be passed out in paper cups or in bottles?
    • A. At the aid stations, both water and Gatorade will be in paper cups. Before the start, we offer free samples of CarbBoom®. Before the start and after the finish, we offer Simone Super Energy®.
    • Q. Do you recycle / re-use?
    • A. Yes. Please dispose of cups and bottles in our marked recycling boxes. Please deposit banana peels and other food waste in our marked composting boxes. We re-use unclaimed bib numbers from previous years
    • Q. Where will drinks be passed out?
    • A. At the start / midpoint / finish at Fletcher's Cove and at each aid station at Lock 6, Lock 7, and Lock 10.
    • Q. What time is the start time for the race?
    • A. The full marathon starts at 8:00 AM, and the half marathon starts at 9:00 AM.
    • Q. Is the full marathon a Boston qualifier?
    • A. Yes, and we send results to Boston Athletic Association about a week after the race.
    • Q. Is the half of full marathon a qualifier for anything else?
    • A. Yes, and results are available on-line for verification required for qualifiers for Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, and marathons -- also Olympic Trials during qualifying years
    • Q. What are the full marathon awards?
    • A. In the 8:00 AM full marathon: $250 for 1st M/F overall, $150 for 2nd M/F overall, and $100 for 3rd M/F overall, plus your choice of SHF items or store certificates for top 3 M/F in age groups 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over
    • Q. What are the half marathon awards?
    • A. In the 9:00 AM half marathon: your choice of SHF items or store certificates for top 3 M/F overall and in age groups 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over
    • Q. If I want to start the half marathon at 8:00 AM, is that OK?
    • A. Yes, but no awards in the 8:00 AM half marathon
    • Q. When should I arrive?
    • A. Please arrive a half hour before your start. If you pick up your packet on Thursday or Friday, then you don't have to stand in line on Saturday. If you don't, please allow 10 extra minutes to get your packet.
    • Q. What about parking?
    • A. We only have about 385 spaces at Fletcher's Cove, and we want to leave some spaces for other park users. Fletcher's Cove has two parking areas. After you enter the driveway toward Fletcher's Cove, look to your left. The upper lot has about 85 parking spaces. Those spaces fill quickly. Now look to your right. You see a tunnel that goes under C&O Canal and C&O Towpath. Carefully enter the tunnel and drive through it to a lower lot with about 300 parking spaces. Once we fill all the parking at Fletcher's Cove (maybe 7:15 AM), a US Park Police officer directs cars to turn right on Reservoir Road towards free on-street parking at The River School, on W Street, Hutchins Street, Bending Lane, Reservoir Road, and MacArthur Boulevard, 0.3 to 0.7 miles away.
    • Alternatively, please take our Red Top Cab from Marriott Crystal City or car-pool to minimize parking delays.
    • Q. May I carry water or wear a hydration belt?
    • A. For sure! But won't it slow you down? We have aid stations with water and Gatorade roughly every two miles.
    • Q. Do you accept self-measurement using GPS?
    • A. To be fair, no. We expect everyone to run the same course, USATF-certified to be accurate to the nearest meter.

  • Keepers:
    • Goodie bag with samples, coupons, & gift certificates Medal
    • Race refreshments, finisher's medal, and post-race picnic immediately after the finish line
    • Colorful, technical wicking t-shirt by LynnPro

  • Past years' t-shirts:

  • Press Room

    • Headphones and water belts
      • Re personal listening devices, we follow USATF rule 144.3.b (Assistance to Athletes):
      • The visible possession or use by athletes of video, audio, or communications devices in the competition area. The Games Committee for an LDR event may allow the use of portable listening devices not capable of receiving communication; however, those competing in championships for awards, medals, or prize money may not use such devices.
      • Because we must be able to communicate instructions to you at certain points in our races, we specifically allow wearing headphones during the race, but we specifically prohibit wearing headphones at these points:
      • Start line
      • Aid stations
      • Turnaround 1
      • Midpoint
      • Turnaround 2
      • Finish line

      • Since we offer prize money ($250, $150, $100 for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd M/F), we ask you to follow this rule: If you expect to finish in the money, please don't wear headphones. Because of the specificity of Rule 144.3.b, we must disqualify potential money-winners whom we see wearing headphones or other two-way devices such as cell phones and the new talking wristbands. Sorry about that.