21½th annual POTOMAC RIVER RUN MARATHON & HALF
ACE

21½th annual ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute
POTOMAC RIVER RUN MARATHON & HALF
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Start times:
  • 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 NW, Washington DC
    The Easiest Marathon in America -- Flat course, no road crossings, no turns

    www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/dean

  • Registration Medal
  • If you complete 21st Potomac River Run, 18th Abebe Bikila Day International Peace, and 21½th Potomac River Run (half or full marathon),
  • you are entered in SHF's 2024 Grand Prix Series
  • $100 cash award to anyone who completes all three SHF half or full marathons in 2024 - May 4, September 14, and October 19
  • You may enter changes between 8:00 AM FULL MARATHON and 9:00 AM HALF MARATHON or vice versa
    using this handy change form
  • Read our Transfer & Deferral Policy and Fee Disclosure
  • We make transfers or deferrals easy
  • Please understand that we do not issue refunds except for military deployment, a death in the family, or airborn infectious disease

  • You may enter as a TRANSFER from another entrant or a DEFERRAl FROM A PREVIOUS RACE for just $10
    using the same on-line entry form
  • Open to
    • 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!
  • Questions?
  • Benefits
    • 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 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

  • 2026 Boston Marathon Qualifier
    • We send our marathon results to BAA the day after the marathon

  • Course

  • Course elevation profile: -------------------------------
  • Keepers
  • Awards
    • $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
    • Gift certificates and other awards including SHF warm wooly winter hats and sweathshirts to 1st, 2nd, 3rd by 10-year age-groups M/F in all four 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
  • Directions
    • 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

  • Race-day on-site parking
    • 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
  • Race-day off-site parking
    • 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 16 for Saturday, October 19
    • 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
  • Drop-off instructions
    • 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
  • Logistics

  • Packet Pick-ups
    • Packet Assembly:
    • Early birds: Help us assemble bib numbers and goodie bags, and get your bib number, t-shirt, and goodie bag early on Thursday, October 17, 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 18, 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 19, 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. ;-)
  • Pre-Race Dinner
    • Join us for pre-race dinner to continue a conversation that may change the world
    • Friday, October 18, 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 October 17 at 5 PM
  • Host Hotel
    • 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 17, 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"

  • Race-Day Announcer:

  • Race-Day Events
    • 7:45 AM -- Join us in singing the National Anthem
    • 7:55 AM -- Official welcome
    • 8:00 AM -- Marathon start
    • 8:45 AM -- National Anthem
    • 8:55 AM -- Official welcome
    • 9:00 AM -- Half Marathon start
    • 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
  • Photography:
    • Photos will be taken at the event by FlashFrame.io
    • Photos for online later on race day
  • Spectator access:
    • 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 Buy A Brick Foundation

  • 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 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

  • Past Results
  • Press Room
  • Sponsors:

    ACE
    ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute
    Seven convenient locations -- if it hurts, call ACE first at 703-205-1233

    Red Top
    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

    CarbBoom!
    Carb Boom! Energy Gels
    Read all about Carb BOOM! Energy Gels

    SSE
    Simone Super Energy™
    www.simonesuperenergy.com

    Read Dr. Simone's warnings about running in hot weather


    Trader Joes
    Trader Joe's
    1109 Morth Highland Street, Arlington VA 22201 (703-351-8015) and many other locations