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POTOMAC RIVER RUN MARATHON & HALF
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Start times:
On the historic C&O Canal Towpath
Start & finish at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
The Easiest Trail Marathon in America -- Flat course, no road crossings, no turns www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/dean
- $90 after 12/1/2025 12:00 AM
- $100 after 2/1/2025 12:00 AM
- $110 after 4/1/2025 12:00 AM
- $120 after 6/1/2025 12:00 AM
- $130 after 8/1/2025 12:00 AM
- $140 after 8/1/2025 12:00 AM
- $250 after 10/11/2025 12:00 AM and we recognize you as a sponsor in the results
- Active duty military, members of 50 States Club, and other supporting organizations and get $10 off
- No race-day registration, please
- Entrants receive t-shirt, goodie bag, race refreshments, finisher medal, and post-race picnic with Big Tony's pizza; Dunkin' donuts, bagels, cream cheese, coffee; Gatorade; and Trader Joe's bananas
- Read our transfer / deferral policy, our fee disclosure, and our advice to avoid Active.com's upselling
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In memory of Dean Shulman
(September 25, 1961 - May 8, 2012)
Washington Post obituary
In memory of Dean, from The Book of Jewish Common Prayer
and
and in memory of Wendy Martinez (1983-2018)
using this handy change form
using the same on-line entry form
Do you want to change your start time (8 AM, 9 AM) or distance (half, full)?
- Runners of all levels of ability who can cover the marathon course in less than 6 hours
- No time limit in the half marathon
- Limited to the first 350 entrants
- Join our Facebook page -- share rides, thoughts, and photos!
- Write the race director or or call 703-927-4833
- Want to sponsor us? Join us as a sponsor!
- Safety And Health Foundation and its charity partners:
- Buy A Brick Foundation
- DC Capital Striders
- Marathon Charity Co-operation
- Ethio-American Athletic Association
- Wendy Martinez Legacy Project
- On October 8, 2024, Safety And Health Foundation donated $600.00 to
- American Red Cross "Help people affected by Hurricane Helene" | We have a collection jar at packet pickup so you can add to our donation | Make checks payable to AMERICAN RED CROSS - HURRICANE HELENE | The American National Red Cross is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to the American National Red Cross are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Red Cross' tax identification number is 53-0196605.
- On October 7, 2023, Safety And Health Foundation donated $600.00 to Wendy Martinez Legacy Project and $8000 to Buy A Brick Foundation
- On October 2, 2021, Safety And Health Foundation donated $650.00 to Wendy Martinez Legacy Project and $8000 to Buy A Brick Foundation
- On August 22, 2019, Safety And Health Foundation donated $2000.00 to Wendy Martinez Legacy Project and $8000 to Buy A Brick Foundation
- We invite you to donate to those charities
- When you register, you may include a separate check in donation to American Red Cross International Response Fund
- On November 14, 2015, we donated a total of $200 to American Red Cross International Response Fund in Haiti
- We gratefully acknowledge donations from
Silvia Baage,
Ryan Mark Elliott,
Sean M. Hendron,
Angelica R. Hendron,
Robert Elghie Johnson,
Deborah Jorgensen,
Tammy Jeanne Massie,
and
Dennis James Weipert
- On October 14, 2014, we donated a total of $100 to American Red Cross International Response Fund in Haiti
- We gratefully acknowledge donations from
Timothy Buckley,
Pam Cogas,
Jonathan Raymond Terrell, and
Gena Feith
- On November 17, 2013, we donated a total of $100 to American Red Cross International Response Fund in Haiti
- We gratefully acknowledge donations from
Heather Lengel,
Silvia Baage, and
Mary McDonald
- On November 17, 2013, we donated $1000 to Philippine Red Cross (address: Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, PO Box 280, Manila PHILIPPINES 1018; phone: +011-63-527-0000, hotline 143; web page: www.redcross.org.ph to support relief efforts after Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) destroyed Visayas Islands, Bantayan Island, Daanbantayan, Panay, Busuanga Island, Samar Island, and Leyte, where at least 10,000 people are estimated to have died in the city of Tacloban
- We send our marathon results to BAA the day after the marathon
- Start and finish at Fletcher's Cove | 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
- Flat - scenic - beautiful views of the Potomac River - tree-lined - shaded - out'n'back
- The course is 100% unpaved gravel except for about 50 meters across a wooden footbridge and about 50 meters of concrete at Lock 5 and under I-495 to prevent erosion
- No roads, no crossings, no hills
- USATF certified course DC21001RT | DOC | PDF | GMAP
- Printable map
- Almost totally flat course -- highest point is 44m above sea level, lowest point is 12m above sea level
- Enjoy a lovely day on the C&O Canal Towpath!
- See displays about the historic C&O Canal before & after race
- Read about the history of the C&O Canal Towpath:
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_and_Ohio_Canal
- www.bikewashington.org/canal
- www.onthecanal.org
- www.nps.gov/choh
- www.bikecando.com
- www.patc.us/store/XX250.htm
- Goodie bag with samples, coupons & gift certificates
- Colorful t-shirt
- This year's t-shirt: (to follow)
- T-shirts:
- October 2024 Front | Back
- October 2023 Front | Back
- October 2022 Front | Back
- October 2021 Front | Back
- October 2020 Front | PSD
- October 2019 Front shirt | PSD | Back
- September 2018 Front shirt | PSD | Back | PSD
- October 2017 shirt | Back | PDF | PSDk
- November 2016 shirt | Back
- November 2015 shirt | Back
- November 2014 shirt front | PDF (19 mB) | back
- November 2013 shirt | Front | Back | PSD
- November 2012 shirt | Back
- $250 to 1st, $150 to 2nd, $100 to 3rd overall M/F in the 8:00 AM full marathon -- ALL MARATHONERS must start at 8:00 AM
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Awards including SHF warm wooly winter hats in Safety Orange and Safety Yellow with reflective stripes (perfect for winter night running), SHF blue baseball hats (Chicago Cubs blue), SHF athletic carry-all bags, and SHF 6-blade pocketknives and to 1st, 2nd, 3rd by 10-year age-groups M/F in all three races - This race is the third of Safety And Health Foundation's 2024 Grand Prix
- $100 cash award to everyone who finishes all 3 of SHF's full or half marathons in 2024
- Fletcher's Cove is two miles due west of Key Bridge and one mile east of Chain Bridge at 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
- From Georgetown, take M Street NW west past Key Bridge
- At Foxhall Road, M Street NW becomes Canal Road NW
- Stay left on Canal Road NW
- The old stone wall continues from Key Bridge to Fletcher's Cove
- After two miles, you see the stoplight for Reservoir Road NW at the gap in the old stone wall
- CAREFULLY turn left into the driveway down to free parking for 85 cars in the upper parking lot
- When the upper lot is full, bear right at the bottom of the driveway into the tunnel under C&O Canal Towpath
- At the end of the tunnel, bear left to free parking for 200 card in the lower parking lot
- If both parking lots are full, we post a marshal on Canal Road NW at Reservoir Road NW to instruct drivers to turn RIGHT up Reservoir Road NW to free parking on-street and at The River School
- Please approach Fletcher's Cove from the east using M Street NW and Canal Road NW from Georgetown
- Make a left at the stoplight at Reservoir Road to go down the ramp to Fletcher's Cove
- Please DO NOT approach Fletcher's Cove from the west from Clara Barton Parkway and Chain Bridge onto Canal Road NW
- From Canal Road eastbound, making the hairpin turn to go down the ramp to Fletcher's Cove is almost impossible
- We have about 300 free parking spaces on-site
- Please carpool or use our Facebook page to share a ride.
- Please our Red Top Cabs from Crystal City Marriott to Fletcher's Cove, and back after the race
- You may park anywhere along Reservoir Road between Canal Road and Macarthur Boulevard, including River School, Bending Lane, W Street, and Hutchins Lane, then walk downhill to Fletcher's Cove | Be careful crossing Canal Road
- You may park near the host hotel and take our Red Top Cab to the start, no searching for parking on race day! Red Top Cab taxi service to Fletcher's Cove. Round trip taxi rides are $10, pre-paid only | Please register for the taxi by Wednesday, October 15 for Saturday, October 18
- Each cab takes four passengers | First cab arrives 6:55 AM and departs as soon as it has four passengers | Cabs continue until last cab departs at 7:15 AM (don't miss it)
- For ground transportation from the airport or anywhere else in Arlington, you may call Red Top Cab directly at 703-522-3333
- Parking is limited at Fletcher's Cove
- If you can get someone to drop you off, or if you take a cab or Uber / Lyft, please ask the driver to drop you off at the top of the driveway
- Don't go down the driveway and try to turn around, because we want to avoid traffic jams
- COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS: All food and water handlers will be gloved and masked
- Please stay masked yourself until you start running.
- Stay a safe distance from unfamiliar people
- No high-fives or hand-shaking
- Dispose of your empty paper cups in the trash bags around each aid station -- let's not have volunteers cleaning up after you
- If you are sick, coughing, feverish, sneezing, please defer to a future race -- there's always another race, but there's never another you
- Assisted by
- Gib Leonard, Buy A Brick Foundation
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DC Capital Striders
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Ethio-American Athletic Association
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Marathon Charity Cooperation
- Packet Assembly:
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Early birds: Help us assemble bib numbers and goodie bags, and get your bib number, t-shirt, and goodie bag early
on Thursday, October 16, from 3:00 PM to 6:45 PM at ACE Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Institute, 2841 Hartland Drive #401, Falls Church VA (702-205-1233)
- Pre-race packet pickup:
- Friday, October 17, 12:00 noon to 5:45 PM, Pacers Running Store, 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA, across street from Clarendon Metro, free parking at Trader Joe's if you buy something -- includes late registration
- Race-day packet pickup: Saturday, October 18, 7:15 AM to 8:45 AM -- on-site at the picnic tables at Fletcher's Cove
- You may pick up someone else's bib number and packet if you bring along a signed note or a printed e-mail message from your friend
- If you want to change your start time or distance, you MUST inform the registrar when you pick up your bib number on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday
- We will also have a change chart on the timing table at the start / finish line. No, you can't run a 1:50 marathon. We'll know it's a half marathon. ;-)
- Join us for pre-race dinner to continue a conversation that may change the world
- Friday, October 17, 6:15 PM, at Big Tony's Pizzzeria, 3100 Clarendon Boulevard #5, Arlington VA (703-812-0833), two doors west of Pacers
- Dinner tickets are $10 for all you can eat ($15 after October 1) with a guest speaker TBD
- Please Register for the dinner by Thursday, October 16, at 5 PM
- Host hotel: Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport, 1999 Richmond Highway, Arlington VA 22202-3526 (703-413-5500) $159.00 per night
- Start Date: Thursday, October 16, 2024
- End Date: Monday, October 21, 2024
- Last Day to Book: September 17, 2024
- Reserve your room on-line
- Or call 703-413-5500 and ask for group "SHF Room Block Oct2024"
- 7:45 AM -- Join us in singing the National Anthem -- Wearing #1 and holding the flag for the National Anthem is U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate Kyle Rodewald - Thank you for serving! - We seek a singer for the National Anthem at 7:45 AM - we have a recording and a loudspeaker
- 7:48 AM -- Official welcome and instructions
- 8:00 AM -- Marathon start
- 8:45 AM -- National Anthem -- We seek an active duty or retired military service member to hold the flag - Thank you for serving! - We seek a singer for the National Anthem at 8:45 AM
- 8:48 AM -- Official welcome and instructions
- 9:00 AM -- Half Marathon start
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Aid stations with water, Gatorade, CarbBoom! and friendly faces at
• The start / midpoint / finish at Fletcher's Cove - Miles 0.0, 13.1, and 26.2 (permanent and portable toilets at Fletcher's Cove)
Lock 5 - Miles 2, 11, 15, 24 -- served by Ethio-American Athletic Association and Marathon Charity Cooperation | (portable toilet across C&O Canal) and
Lock 7 - Miles 4, 9, 17, 22 -- served by DC Capital Striders (portable toilet across C&O Canal)
Lock 10 - Miles 6, 7, 19, 20 -- served by Buy a Brick Foundation
- Photos at the event by FlashFrame.io
- Photos online later on race day
- The HALF MARATHON course is out'n'back ONCE
- The FULL MARATHON course is out'n'back TWICE
- Watch the race and volunteer at these points:
- Chain Bridge - Mile 1, 12, 14, 25 | Map
- Lock 5 - Mile 2, 11, 15, 24 | Map
- Lock 6 - Mile 2.5, 10.5, 15.5, 23.5 | Map
- Lock 7 - Mile 4, 9, 17, 22 | Map
- Lock 8 - Mile 5, 8, 18, 21 | Map
- Lock 9 - Mile 5.5, 7.5, 18.5, 20.5 | Map
- Lock 10 - Mile 6, 7, 19, 20 | Map
- Turnaround point - Miles 6.6 and 19.7 at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
- Staffed by James Scarborough and Buy A Brick Foundation
- 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 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
- Post-race
- Refreshments courtesy of Dunkin' Donuts, Big Tony's Pizzeria,
- Trader Joe's of Arlington
- Medals by Dan Kain Trophies, presentation of awards
- Certificates of completion by e-mail upon request
- October 7, 2023, marathon & half | We had 7 Boston Marathon qualifiers | Awards
- October 2, 2021, marathon & half | We had 14 Boston Marathon qualifiers | Awards
- October 5, 2019, marathon & half | We had 9 Boston Marathon qualifiers | Awards
- September 29, 2018, marathon & half | We had 8 Boston Marathon qualifiers | Awards
- October 28, 2017, marathon & half | We had 16 Boston Marathon qualifiers | Awards
- November 20, 2016, marathon & half | We had 19 Boston Marathon qualifiers | 9:00 AM marathon awards
- November 19, 2016, half marathon | 10:00 AM half marathon awards
- Special Photo Page - Wilson vs. Petersen
- November 15, 2015, marathon & half | We had 14 Boston Marathon qualifiers | 9:00 AM marathon awards
- November 14, 2015, half marathon | 10:00 AM half marathon awards
- On September 12, 2015, we had 19 Boston Marathon qualifiers
- On May 3, 2015, we had 12 Boston Marathon qualifiers
- On November 16, 2014, we had 36 Boston Marathon qualifiers
- On September 13, 2014, we had 27 Boston Marathon qualifiers
- On May 4, 2014, we had 2015 11 Boston Marathon qualifiers
- On November 17, 2013, we had 22 2015 Boston Marathon qualifiers
- On May 5, 2013, we had 71 2014 Boston Marathon qualifiers
- On November 18, 2012, we had 16 2014 Boston Marathon qualifiers
- On May 6, 2012, we had 29 2013 Boston Marathon qualifiers
- On May 1, 2011, we had 27 2012 Boston Marathon qualifiers | Participants' comments
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- Past years' charitable support and website
- Read about Scott Lasch's attempt to break the Guinness World Record for running a marathon pushing a triplet baby stroller on his his Facebook page "I'm fundraising to help kids! Fundraiser for Children’s National Hospital by Scott Lasch"
- See adorable photo -- "Mama took two so Milo was replaced with an easygoing kettle bell" alt="Mama took two so Milo was replaced with an easygoing kettle bell"
- SHF was delighted to donate $100 to Jill's house in 2014, in gratitude for James Scarborough's extensive service to SHF and to the whole running community. James Scarborough wrote: "Jill's House is an organization which serves disabled children and their families, located on the campus of McLean Bible Church. I am running Marine Corps Marathon on the Jill's House team. I thank SHF for contributing to this worthy cause on my behalf."
- Read Katie St. Pierre's story
- Jess Kurti wrote: "Although I'm one of those crazy Maniacs/50-Staters, my other goal is to volunteer at least one shift at every food bank in the Feeding America network (over 200 throughout the USA). I've already completed a race in Maryland (JFK 50), but I was so very beat-up afterwards, I missed the opportunity to volunteer. So, I'm looking for a shot at redemption! I would be more than happy to make a donation to the Maryland Food Bank in Mr. Shulman's honor (or to The Buy a Brick Foundation, of both!). Really, the running is secondary to service, but I prefer to volunteer in conjunction with marathoning."
- Elaine Kolvoord wrote: "I have 6 children, all runners. The youngest, 7, says she was born to run and wants to run in the Olympics. She has a Facebook page: Big Mak Runs For Riley. She has won every cross country meet this year, has been overall female in a 5K, set the single age world record in the 10K, and was given the single age world record in the half in May, but her record was removed when documents showing another 7-year-old went faster in 1982. She wants to recapture that record. She has run 3 half marathons this year, the last was 1:45:11. She has been training to run a 1:40:00 and looks forward to running your race in November."
- Jaime Horn, 35, of Washington DC, writes: "I am running Potomac River Run Marathon to raise money for my best friend's foundation who was killed in Iraq in 2007 while working for a democracy-building organization. The Andi Foundation (www.theandifoundation.org) offers financial assistance to young women who wish to work in the fields of politics, communications, and humanitarian work."
- April 6, 2010 -- Potomac River Run Marathon Calls Itself “The Easiest Marathon in America” -- in Washington Running Report
- April 2, 2010 -- Press Release | DOC | PDF
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Terri Lynne Willis's 2007 pre-PRR Marathon blog | Her 2007 Marine Corps Marathon blog | in News from the Emory Transplant Center
ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute
Seven convenient locations -- if it hurts, call ACE first at 703-205-1233
Red Top Cab
For convenient pick-up at National Airport or to / from anywhere in Northern Virginia, call Red Top Cab at 703-522-3333
Carb Boom! Energy Gels
Read all about Carb BOOM! Energy Gels
Simone Super Energy™
www.simonesuperenergy.com
Read Dr. Simone's warnings about running in hot weather
Trader Joe's
1109 Morth Highland Street, Arlington VA 22201 (703-351-8015) and many other locations