<h1>Abebe Bikila Day International Peace Marathon & Half</h1>
ACe
AbebeBikilaDena

19th Abebe Bikila Day
International Peace Marathon & Half


Saturday, September 6, 2025
8:00 AM full marathon, 9:00 AM half marathon
Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road, Washington DC

  • Complete 2024 results
  • Invitation:
    • Perfect for experienced runners, charity trainees, and first-timers
    • Open to anyone who can finish within 6 hours
    • Limited to the first 350 entrants

    Enter on-line • Enter by mail • DOCPDF

    medal
  • Our finisher's medal features Abebe Bikila breaking the Olympic marathon finish line tape
    on September 10, 1980

  • Start and finish:
    • The whole race is on the 100% flat but gravelly C&O Canal Towpath starting and finishing at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
    • Two miles west of Key Bridge and Georgetown
    • One mile east of Chain Bridge
    • About 325 on-site parking spaces
    • Indoor toilets and two portable toilets at the west end of upper parking area
    • 8:00 AM Marathon with cash prizes for top 3 M/F overall ($250 for 1st, $150 for 2nd, $100 for 3rd) and other awards for top 3 M/F in 10-year age groups
    • 9:00 AM Half Marathon (with awards but no cash prizes for top 3 M/F overall and for top 3 M/F in 10-year age groups)

  • Awards
    • Awards presentation for half marathon at about 10:30 AM and then rolling as age-group winners arrive
    • Awards presentation for full marathon at about 11:30 AM and then rolling as age-group winners arrive
    • In full marathon, $250 for 1st M/F, $150 for 2nd M/F, $100 for 3rd M/F
    • Awards (besides the cash awards for the top three M/F in the marathon are really nice SHF warm woolly hats, SHF pocket knifes, and shiny black SHF insulated tote bags
  • See OUR 2024 T-SHIRT BY KARLA McDUFFIE!

    2024 FRONT

    Click for full size

    2024 BACK

    Click for full size


    Watch a video of our shirts being printed at LynnPro


  • Our volunteers are delighted to serve at the aid stations:

  • Q&A about the aid stations:

  • Spectator access:


  • Deferrals and transfers


  • Enjoy an Ethio-American lunch on us:

  • 2025 Boston Marathon Qualifier! | 8:00 AM start
    • September 6, 2025, is the last Saturday in 2025 to qualify for 2026 Boston Marathon
    • We submit marathon finisher times to Boston Athletic Association by 9:59 AM on the Monday following the race

  • Packet Packet Pick-Up Times:

  • Supported by these charities:

  • Maps:

  • T-shirt & Medal Design:
    • $1,000 in cash awards -- $250 for first overall M/F, $150 for 2nd M/F, $100 for 3rd M/F in the 9:00 AM full marathon
    • SHF warm wooly hats, baseball caps in blue, red, and pink, pen knives, and insulated lunch bags
            for 1st, 2nd, 3rd M/F overall and in 10-year age groups 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over
  • An SHF 2025 Grand Prix race:
    • If you complete this event (half or full marathon), you are entered in SHF's 2025 Grand Prix Series.
    • $100 cash award to everyone who completes all three SHF half or full marathons in 2025 - May 3, September 6, and October 18

  • We are proud to support:

  • Letters:

      Read this inspiring message from Rosemary Spraker:

      Dear Jay,
    • Would it be possible for me to be assigned bib number 261?
    • #261 was Kathrine Switzer's original Boston Marathon race number in 1967 and her 50th anniversary run in 2017.
    • The BAA has now retired bib number 261. It has been my dream to be assigned #261 in a marathon!!!
    • I was honored to run with Kathrine as her protector and sidekick during the 2017 Boston Marathon (see the pictures).
    • I took the Facebook Live video of her in the middle of the marathon as well. See https://www.facebook.com/KathrineSwitzer/videos/1349804755087804
    • I am a 261 Fearless Ambassador and fundraiser for her non-profit organization to empower women through the joy of running.
    • I will share my marathon pictures and your marathon with Kathrine and the rest of the 261 Fearless worldwide network on www.261fearless.org and on social media.
    • I appreciate your consideration. : )
    • -- Rosemary Spraker

      Dear Rosemary:

    • I have #261 waiting for you! I was the guy you and Kathrine passed going up Heartbreak Hill wearing a "WIND ROMA TOTTI 10" t-shirt. I'll never forget you!
    • -- Jay Jacob Wind
    • 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.
      • You may carry water or wear a hydration vest, but won't it slow you down? We have aid stations with water and Gatorade roughly every two miles.


      ABEBE BIKILA DAY INTERNATIONAL PEACE MARATHON & HALF MAIL-IN ENTRY FORM
      Make checks payable to SHF   611 South Ivy Street, Arlington VA 22204-2429

      By entering this event, I agree, warrant and covenant as follows: I know that running is a potentially hazardous activity. I should not enter or run in competitive runs unless I am medically able and properly trained. I agree to abide by any decision of a race official relative to my ability to safely complete the run. I assume all risks associated with running in this race including, but not limited to, CONTRACTION OF ILLNESS INCLUDING COVID-19, falls, contact with other participants, the effects of weather, including high heat and/or humidity, the conditions of the road and traffic on the course, all such risks being known and appreciated by me.    Having read this waiver and knowing these facts, and in consideration of your acceptance of my application, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release National Park Service, RRCA, USATF, Buy A Brick Foundation, DC Capital Striders, Safety And Health Foundation, and all sponsors, their directors, officers, employees, agents; representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation in this event even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons named in this waiver.    I acknowledge that the application fee shall be non-refundable.    I agree that you may use my name and likeness for publicity purposes.

        

      Signature ______________________________________ (parent or guardian if under 18)

        

      Name ___________________________________________       Gender [__] (M|F)     Age as of 9/6/2025 [__ __]

      Address _________________________________________       Birthdate ____ ____-____ ____-____ ____ ____ ____ (mm-dd-yy)

      City ST ZIP _______________________________________       Phone ____ ____ ____-____ ____ ____-____ ____ ____ ____

      e-mail ___________________________________________         T-shirt _____ (XS   S   M   L   XL   XXL)         

      Best 13.1/26.2 mi ____:__ __ Where? ________________________               Date _____________________

      Enclosed is my entry fee, payable to SHF:

      Fees: Non-Members
      [__] On or after October 1, 2024 - $100.00
      [__] On or after January 1, 2025 - $120.00
      [__] On or after March 1, 2025 - $140.00
      [__] On or after May 1, 2025 - $160.00
      [__] On or after July 1, 2025 - $180.00
      [__] On or after September 1, 2025 - $250.00
      [__] $10 discount for members of supporting clubs and active-duty military
      No race-day registration, please
      Event:
      [__] 8:00 AM Full Marathon
      [__] 8:00 AM Half Marathon
      [__] 9:00 AM Half Marathon

      Enclosed is an additional tax-deductible donation of $____________ to BuyABrick Foundation

      [_] $5 Local     [_] $10 County     [_] $25 State     [_] $50 Nation     [_] $100 Continent     [_] $250 World     [_] $500 Galaxy     [_] $1000 Universe