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

  • 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)

  • We now have filled to capacity. Regular registration is closed. A few slots are open for sponsors at the $250 or $500 level.
  • • $10 discount for members of supporting clubs or active duty military

  • Enter on-line for the marathon / half, for the pre-race dinner, for the race-day cab ride, or as a sponsor

  • First race of SHF 2026 Grand Prix series:
    • If you complete 23rd Potomac River Run, 20th Abebe Bikila Day International Peace, and 23½th Potomac River Run (either half or full marathon), you are entered in SHF's 2026 Grand Prix Series
    • $100 cash award to anyone who completes all three SHF half or full marathons in 2026 - May 2, September 5, and October 17

  • Course Description and Maps
    • The course is almost totally flat, 100% unpaved gravel except for about 50 meters across a wooden footbridge and about 50 meters of concrete under the I-495 Capital Beltway to prevent erosion. No roads, no crossings, no hills.
    • Scenic with beautiful views of the Potomac River - tree-lined - shaded - out'n'back
    • Start and finish at Fletcher's Cove | 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
    • 2027 Boston Marathon Qualifier
    • USATF-certified half / full marathon course DC21001RT
    • Color Map | DOC | PDF | Color Map | GMAP
    • Your choice -- 26.2 miles or 13.1 miles
    • Both the half and the full marathon are a qualifiers for 2028 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, and 2028 Olympic Trials Marathons
    • The full marathon is a 2028 Boston Marathon qualifier
    • When you register, you can select which distance you want to run, same price
    • You may change later between 8:00 AM FULL and 9:00 AM HALF start
  • Course elevation profile: -------------------------------
  • Highest point is 44m above sea level, lowest point is 12m above sea level
  • The course is out'n'back once for the half marathon, twice for the full marathon
  • Aid stations with water, Gatorade, friendly volunteers, and toilets at
  • Start / midpoint / finish at Fletcher's Cove - Mile 0.0, 13.1, and 26.2 (permanent and portable toilets)
  • Lock 6 - Mile 2.2, 10.9, 15.3, 23.9 (Lock 5 is under construction with no vehicle access)
  • Lock 7 - Mile 4.0, 9.1, 17.1, 24.0
  • Lock 10 - Mile 6.0, 7.1, 19.1, 20.2

  • Spectator access at the aid stations and also at
    • Chain Bridge - Mile 1.0, 12.1, 14.1, 25.2
    • Lock 6 - Mile 2.2, 10.9, 15.3, 24.0
    • Lock 8 - Mile 5.0, 8.1, 18.1, 21.2
    • Lock 9 - Mile 5.5, 7.6, 18.6, 24.7
    • Turnaround point - Mile 6.6 and 19.7
    • The locks are accessible from EASTBOUND Clara Barton Parkway only
    • You pass 4 aid stations a total of 15 times. | MAPS

  • Bicycles on the course
    • We run in a national park open to all users at all times, so we can't ban the bikes
    • We plan to provide signs that announce our event a week in advance:
      caution

    • Available on Amazon.com to say CAUTION! RUNNERS ON THE ROAD and the date

  • Enjoy a lovely day on the C&O Canal Towpath!

  • Packet Pick-ups:
    • Early birds: ACE Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Institute donates spiffy green souvenir bags, which we assemble on Thursday, April 30, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at their office at 2841 Hartland Rd, #401B, Falls Church VA 22043, on the first block north of Lee Highway (Route 29) just inside the I-495 Capital Beltway
    • Please come to ACE on Thursday, April 30, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, to help assemble souvenir bags and to pick up your bag, t-shirt, and bib number early.

    • Pre-race: Packet pickup at Pacers Running Store of Clarendon at 3100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington VA 22201, welcomes us for packet pick-up on Friday, May 1, from 12:00 noon to 5:45 PM, inside the store
    • Buy something while you are there!

    • Race Day:
    • You may also pick up your bib number, t-shirt, and goodie bag
    • on race-day, Saturday, May 2, 7:15 AM to 8:45 AM, at Fletcher's Cove at the picnic tables

  • Sponsors:

  • Pre-race dinner:

  • Our host hotel is Le Méridien, Arlington VA (703-413-5500)

  • Location
    • Le Méridién by Marriott, 1121 19th Street North, Arlington, Virginia, USA, 22209
    • It's the hotel closest to the race start / finish - just 3 walkable miles away
    • Toll Free: 1-888-627-7101 | Local: 703-351-9170
    • Make all reservations, modifications, or cancellations, on-line with
    • Use this link for on-line reservations
    • Or use group name "SHF Marathon 2026"
    • $169.00 per night, check in on or after 4/30/2026, check out 5/03/2026
    • Cutoff Date: April 27, 2026
    • If you buy the cab ticket, please be at the host hotel by 7:00 AM to get to the 8:00 AM start
    • You can pre-purchase a round-trip via Red Top Cab for $10.00 leaving the hotel at 7:00 AM to the race and back after the race
    • 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 the DC area, call Red Top Cab directly at 703-522-3333
    • Book a ride with Red Top Cab ($10 round-trip) from our host hotel at 7:00 AM to Fletcher's Cove Three miles from the start / finish

  • Nearby restaurants:
    • Continental - 0.1 Miles - Delight in the simple pleasures at Continental, a modern pool lounger offering a delectable list of bar food and a long list of beers. Located close to our hotel near the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Open for Lunch & Dinner
    • International - Nando's - 0.1 Miles - An Afro-Portuguese chain restaurant beloved for its peri-peri chicken, Nando’s serves flame-grilled chicken in spicy chili sauce. Convenient to our hotel near Washington D.C.
    • American - Open Road Rosslyn, a woodsy and award-winning restaurant, is known for its seasonal menus, creative cocktails, and craft beers, plus take-out to take home to your room or suite. (703-248-0760) - Dress Code: Casual
    • Italian - Sfoglina - 0.3 Miles - Known for its whimsical design, al fresco patio dining, and Italian menus, cocktails, and wines, Sfoglina offers a full menu that ranges from apps and mains to salads and desserts.
    • Mexican - District Taco - 0.3 Miles -From our hotel near downtown Arlington, you’re an easy walk to District Taco, where you’ll enjoy fresh tacos, burritos, and guacamole at this food truck-inspired eatery. Open for Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner
    • Pizza - Wiseguy Pizza - 0.5 Miles
    • South American - Inca Social - 0.5 Miles
    • American - Barley Mac - 0.5 Miles

  • Volunteer:
    • Sign up as a volunteer
    • You can select to support any of our beneficiary charities, or as a volunteer for Safety And Health Foundation
    • All the locations are mapped on this web page
    • You get one of our colorful t-shirts
    • Volunteer instructions

  • Race-Day:
    • Pick up your bib number, goodie bag, and t-shirt on Saturday, May 3, from 7:15 AM to 8:45 AM, on-site at Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road, Washington DC 22207
    • Race-day packet pick-up and bag check at the picnic tables down the stairs in the lower parking lot
    • Races start at the top of the stairs on the gravel trail.

  • Chip Timing:
    • A small waterproof plastic bag is stapled to the back of your bib number.
    • That's the automatic RFID timing chip that feeds data to WebScorer®.
    • Please DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE! DO NOT DESTROY THE TIMING CHIP OR RUN A SAFETY PIN THROUGH IT!
    • We collect those chips post-race to re-use at future races. They are costly.
    • After you finish, leave the timing chip intact, attached to the back of the name tag at the bottom of your bib number, and give the chip and tag to the finish line official
    • Then receive your finisher's medallion, hand-strung on a colorful ribbon

    • In addition, as a back-up, we collect the name tag at the bottom of your bib number on a stringer to ascertain the order of finish, so please co-operate with the finish line volunteers.
    • In addition, as a back-up, we transcribe your bib number in a Time Machine® hooked directly to the computer under the tent at the finish line.
    • After every 50 finishers, we print a finisher list. Consult the printed lists for your time and place. DO NOT HARRASS THE PEOPLE UNDER THE TENT AT THE RESULTS TABLE!

    • We broadcast the finish times directly and instantly to www.webscorer.com® which emails your results to you in real time.
    • For a link to live results, go to www.webscorer.com/shfresults

  • Post-race:
    • Right after your finish, we honor you with a medallion printed by Dan Kain Trophies
    • We try to present awards immediately after you finish, so please listen for the presentation
    • After you get your medallion,
    • Get some refreshments under our recovery tent on the C&O Canal Towpath, and then walk down the stairs to our post-race picnic

  • Awards:
    • 8:00 AM Full Marathon Awards: $250 to 1st, $150 to 2nd, $100 to 3rd overall M/F; commemoratives to 1st, 2nd, 3rd by 10-year age-group M/F in the 8:00 competitive start
    • 9:00 AM Half Marathon Awards: Commemoratives to 1st, 2nd, 3rd M/F overall and 1st, 2nd, 3rd by 10-year age-group M/F
    • Finisher certificates by e-mail on request

  • This year's commemorative awards:
    • Refreshments courtesy of Big Tony's Pizzeria, bagels, and Trader Joe's energy bars and fresh fruit from Trader Joe's
    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:
  • 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
  • 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 2026 sponsors:
  • Past years' results:
  • SHF staff members Bersabe Belay, Feru Wake Dadi, Hugh Dobson, Mary Anne Elizabeth, Gregory Harris, Mark Mackey, Desta Beriso Morkama, Abdelillah Razah, James Scarborough, Bruce Tucker, and many others

  • Questions?      

  • 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.
      • 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