All of our marathons are Boston qualifiers!

Potomac River Run Marathon & Half

medal

ACE
presents:

13¼th and 13½th annual POTOMAC RIVER RUN MARATHON & HALF
Saturday, November 19, 2016 -- 10:00 AM -- Half Marathon only
Sunday, November 20, 2016 - 9:00 AM (early starts at 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM) -- Half Marathon and Full Marathon

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

  • On-line entry opens soon for half marathon and full marathon on October 28, 2017
    Donate to Jay Jacob Wind's fund-raiser for Melanoma Foundation of New England
    Read our thank-you letter on November 12, 2016
    Read our welcome letter on November 13, 2015
    Read our thank-you letter on November 9, 2015
    Read our thank-you letter on October 21, 2015
    Olympian Esther Lofgren's 2012 blog
    Chris Crawford's 2012 blog
  • On the historic C&O Canal Towpath  
    Start & finish at Carderock Recreation Area

    The Easiest Marathon in America -- Flat course, no road crossings, no turns!

    www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/marathon

    • Open to
    • Registration 
    Medal
    • We accept the first 350 entrants
    • Entry fees: $70 by March 31 | $80 by May 31 | $90 by July 31 | $100 by October 31 | $120 by November 20
    • No race-day registration, please
    • Entrants receive t-shirt, goodie bag including ADVIL sample, race refreshments, finisher medal, and post-race picnic Advil
    • Read others' comments
    • We send Boston Athletic Association our certified marathon times.
    • Benefits
    • Safety And Health Foundation and its charity partner TeamAfrica.com, BuyABrickFoundation
    • When you register, you may include a donation to American Red Cross International Response Fund in Haiti 
    • 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

    • Course
    • Keepers:
    • Awards
    • $250 to 1st, $150 to 2nd, $100 to 3rd overall M/F
    • Gift certificates to 1st, 2nd, 3rd by 10-year age-group M/F
    • This race is the third of Safety And Health Foundation's 2016 Grand Prix
    • $100 cash award to everyone who finishes all 3 of SHF's full or half marathons in 2016
    • Directions
    • Carderock Recreation Area is one mile west (outside) I-495 Capital Beltway, on the south side of Clara Barton Parkway
    • Carderock Recreation Area does NOT have a street address
    • Please follow these directions to Carderock:
    • Google map of Carderock
    • From I-495, take Exit 41 north of American Legion Bridge in MD.
    • Bear west on the exit ramp and turn onto westbound Clara Barton Parkway.
    • After one mile, bear right and take the first exit to the right (Carderock | Naval Surface Warfare Center).
    • Turn left on the bridge; follow it through a tunnel under the C&O Canal Towpath.
    • Drive 0.3 miles to a T-junction. Free parking is on your left or right. Please do not park on the grass.

    • Join our Facebook page -- share rides, thoughts, and photos!
    • Parking
    • We have about 325 free parking spaces
    • Please carpool or use our Facebook page to share a ride.
    • The parking areas are not numbered with signs, but ...
    • Parking Area #4 (75 spaces) is on the left (east) -- we host packet pick-up in the picnic pavilion next to Parking Area #4.
    • Parking Area #3 (60 spaces) is straight ahead and a little to the right with permanent and portable toilets
    • Parking Area #2 (70 spaces) is farther to the right (west)
    • Parking Area #1 (120 spaces) is farthest to the right (west) with permanent toilets

    • Drop-off instructions
    • Parking is limited at Carderock Recreation Area.
    • If you can get someone to drop you off, the best place is at the south end of the bridge over Clara Barton Parkway (MAP), where cars can either go straight into to Carderock or turn left to go east toward Washington DC.
    • Thus we can avoid a traffic jam on the park road at Carderock.
    • From there, it's a short walk through the tunnel and either straight ahead to the packet pick-up area (MAP) or to the left up the gravel road to the start line (MAP).
    • Civil Twilight at 6:28 AM | Sunrise at 6:57 AM
    • Race-day packet pick-up and bag check are at the picnic pavilion next to the farthest east (left-hand) parking lot ("#4") at Carderock.
    • Permanent and portable toilets are in the parking lot straight ahead ("#3") and also the westmost parking lot ("#1").
    • Post-race massage, refreshments, pancakes and pizza picnic, and awards presentation are immediately after the finish line on the gravel ramp (NOT at the picnic pavilion)
    • Logistics
    • Packet
      Pick-up
    • Pre-race packet pickup 1:
    • Help us assemble bib numbers and goodie bags, and get your bib number, t-shirt, and goodie bag early on Thursday, November 17, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16th Street South, Arlington VA 22204 (703-228-0946)

    • Pre-race packet pickup 2 and 3:
    • Friday, November 18, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, November 19, 3:00 PM to 6:00 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 4: For the half marathon on Saturday, November 19, starting at 10:00 AM, if you can't join us on Thursday, November 17, or Friday, November 18, you may pick up your bib number, goodie bag, t-shirt, and BPA-free water carrier, on race day, Saturday, November 19, before the race from 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM -- on-site at Carderock
    • Race-day packet pickup 5: For the half and full marathon on Sunday, November 20, starting at 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, or 9:00 AM, if you can't join us on Thursday, November 17; Friday, November 18; or Saturday, November 19, you may pick up your bib number, t-shirt, goodie bag, and BPA-free water carrier on race day, Sunday, November 20, before the race from 6:15 AM to 8:45 AM -- on-site at Carderock
    • 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
    • Race-day packet pick-up is on-site at Carderock Recreation Area, eastern (left-hand) parking area picnic shelter
    • 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, Saturday, or Sunday
    • 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 and the fourth annual DC-area SCHOOL-BUILDING SUMMIT for all charity leaders building schools and educating youth internationally -- to continue a conversation that may change the world
    • Saturday, November 19, 6:30 PM, at Cosi Restaurant, 1801 North Lynn Street, Arlington VA
    • Dinner tickets are $10 for all you can eat ($15 after November 8)
    • Please register for the dinner by November 18
    • Guest speaker: Gib Leonard, BuyaBrickFoundation, building schools and delivering food and medicine in 6 towns in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia)
    • Host Hotel
    • Key Bridge Marriott, 1401 Lee Highway, Arlington VA Key Bridge Marriott
    • Call 1-888-236-2427 toll-free or 703-524-6400 local, and ask for Group Number PRNPRNA
    • Reserve by October 17 for dates 11/17/2016 to 11/21/2016
    • Route map from Key Bridge Marriott to Carderock
    • Take GW Parkway 10 miles west to I-495 north.  Cross Potomac River.  Take Exit 41 right.  Follow sign and bear left towards Carderock.  Stay right on Clara Barton Parkway.  Take first exit right, bear left, cross over Parkway, follow road thru tunnel under C&O Canal Towpath, turn left or right to free parking.
    • Race-Day
  • Off-site parking options:
    • You may park near Key Bridge Marriott, 1401 Lee Highway, Arlington VA 22209, and take our 7:00 AM Red Top Cab taxi service to Carderock.  Taxi rides are are $10 pre-paid only
            • Please register for the taxi by November 17 | for Saturday, November 19 | for Sunday, November 20
    • Route map
    • On Saturday, November 19, for the half marathon at 10:00 AM, you may also pick up your bib number, t-shirt, goodie bag, and BPA-free water carrier on race day, Saturday, November 19, 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM, at Carderock Recreation Area, Parking Area #4 on the left
    • On Sunday, November 20, for the half and full marathon at 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, or 9:00 AM, you may pick up your bib number, t-shirt, goodie bag, and BPA-free water carrier, on race day, Sunday, November 20, 6:15 AM to 8:45 AM, at Carderock Recreation Area, Parking Area #4 on the left
    • Note: No race-day registration
    • Race-Day Announcer:
    • "Showtime Mike" Mebreahtu
    • ShowtimeMike
    • Watch Showtime Mike here on YouTube | and here
    • 7:00 AM -- Super-Early Start -- if you need more than 6 hours to finish -- you must pick up your packet on Thursday, November 17; Friday, November 18; or Saturday, November 19; and carry your own water for the first hour, until the aid stations are up'n'running at 8:00 AM -- maximum 20 participants
    • 8:00 AM -- Early Bird Start -- if you need more than 5 hours to finish or you want to watch the sun rise over the Potomac River or you want an extra hour of cool weather
    • 8:45 AM -- The National Anthem, performed by
      MartinGold
      SSG Martin Gold, clarinetist
    • 8:55 AM -- Official welcome
    • 9:00 AM -- Competitive start
    • Aid stations with water, Gatorade, friendly , and toilets at
            • The start / midpoint / finish at Carderock - Miles 0.0, 13.1, and 26.2 (permanent and portable toilets in Parking Area 3)
            • Lock 10 - Miles 1.1, 12.0, 14.2, 25.1 -- served by DC Capital Striders
            • Lock 7 - Miles 3.3, 9.8, 16.4, 22.9 -- served by Buy A Brick Foundation www.TeamAfrica.com
            • Lock 5 - Miles 5.3, 7.8, 18.4, 20.9 -- served by Buy A Brick Foundation www.TeamAfrica.com (portable toilet across C&O Canal)
    • Photography:
          • Photos will be taken at the event by Tony Estrada Photography
          • To view and purchase photos, please go to www.backprint.com/tonyestradaphotography
  • Spectator access
  • The course is out'n'back twice 
  • Watch the race and volunteer at these points:
    •       • Lock 10 - Miles 1.1, 12.0, 14.2, 25.1 | Map
    •       • Lock 9 - Miles 2.0, 11.1, 15.1, 24.2 | Map
    •       • Lock 8 - Miles 3.0, 10.1, 16.1, 23.2 | Map
    •       • Lock 7 - Miles 3.3, 9.8, 16.4, 22.9 | Map
    •       • Lock 6 - Miles 5.0, 8.1, 18.1, 21.2 | Map
    •       • Lock 5 - Miles 5.3, 7.8, 18.4, 20.9 | Map
    •       • Chain Bridge - Mile 6.0, 7.1, 19.1, 20.2 | Map
    •       • Turnaround point - Miles 6.6 and 19.7 (accessible on foot from Chain Bridge or 400 meters west of Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
    • 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.
    • Post-race
    • Refreshments courtesy of Dunkin' Donuts, Mario's Pizza House, The Runners Pantry (pancakes) and Whole Foods Market of Arlington
    • Medals by Dan Kain Trophies, presentation of awards
    • Certificates of completion by e-mail upon request
    • Press Room
    • Sponsors: