The 42nd Marine Corps Marathon and MCM 10K will bring a bevy of road closures to Arlington County this coming Sunday (Oct. 22).
Opening ceremonies for the races begin at 6:30 a.m., with the wheelchair race starting at 7:45 a.m. and the marathon and 10K beginning at 7:55 a.m. Around 30,000 people are expected to take part in the races, which run through parts of Arlington and D.C.
There are a number of good vantage points in Arlington to watch the runners, including the beginning and end of the marathon in Rosslyn and some of its final miles in Crystal City.
Per an Arlington County Police Department press release, the following roads will close on Sunday:
4:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Marshall Drive from North Meade Street to Route 110
4:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. North Meade Street from Marshall Drive to Lynn Street
4:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Route 110 from I-66 to Jefferson Davis Highway
4:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wilson Boulevard from North Nash Street to Route 110
4:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Lynn Street from North Meade Street to Lee Highway
4:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fort Myer Drive from North Meade Street to Lee Highway
4:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. North Moore Street from Wilson Boulevard to Lee Highway
4:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 19th Street North from Lynn Street to North Nash Street
4:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Route 110 ramp from Washington Blvd. to Pentagon North parking
5:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Exit 8B, Southbound 395 exit to Southbound Route 1. Motorists seeking to enter Crystal City are advised to continue south, take exit 7 (Glebe Road), and make a left at the traffic signal to travel south on Glebe Road. Continue south for approximately 2 miles, where Glebe Road intersects with both S. Eads Street and Route 1. Both thoroughfares lead into Crystal City.
7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Lee Highway (eastbound) from Lynn Street to North Kirkwood Street
7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Spout Run Parkway from southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) to Lee Highway
7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. GWMP from Spout Run to Memorial Circle Drive
7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Francis Scott Key Bridge (all lanes)
7:35 a.m.-2:00 p.m. HOV lanes from 14th Street SW to HOV ramp at South Eads Street
7:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. South Eads Street from South Rotary Road to Army Navy Drive
7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Army Navy Drive from South Fern Street to 12th Street South
7:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. 15th Street South from Crystal Drive to South Eads Street
7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 12th Street South from Army Navy Drive to Crystal Drive
7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Crystal Drive from 12th Street South to 23rd Street South
7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 23rd Street South from Crystal Drive to North Clark Street
7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Long Bridge Drive from 12th Street South to I-395
7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Boundary Channel Drive from I-395 to Pentagon North Parking
7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Washington Blvd. from Columbia Pike to Memorial Circle (southbound lanes will reopen at approximately 9:30 a.m.)
While roads will close for the race, Metrorail will open two hours early at 6 a.m. and have extra trains on the Blue and Yellow Lines. Metro said the extended hours, now a rarity compared to years past, are “funded through an agreement with event organizers.”
Travel tips from a Metro press release, after the jump.
- The closest Metrorail station to the start of the race is Pentagon Station on the Blue and Yellow lines. To accommodate the large crowds expected for the start of the race Pentagon Station will be exit only until 8:30 a.m.
- To avoid crowding at Pentagon Station with riders traveling to the start line, consider using Pentagon City instead.
- Arlington Cemetery Station will be closed Sunday until approximately 8:30 a.m.
- Additional Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Mt Vernon Sq from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m.; and additional Blue Line trains will operate between Franconia-Springfield and Stadium-Armory from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. and from 11:15 a.m. until 4:15 p.m.
- The closest Metrorail stations for the start of the MCM 10K on the National Mall are Archives and L’Enfant Plaza.
- Please take note of service changes on the Red Line.
- Metro recommends purchasing a SmarTrip card in advance loaded with enough value for the entire day to avoid long lines. SmarTrip cards can be purchased at fare vending machines located at station entrances.
- Please sign-up for MetroAlerts to receive service updates.
Metrobus service
Pentagon Bus Terminal – Due to the event, all Metrobus service that normally operates to/from the Pentagon will be diverted to Pentagon City on Saturday, October 21, until 2 p.m. to accommodate the MCM Kids Run and all-day Sunday. Additional staff will be on hand at Pentagon City Station to assist bus customers.
Rosslyn Bus Terminal – All Metrobus service will be relocated from the Rosslyn Bus Terminal to Oak Street from 4 a.m. until approximately 6 p.m. to accommodate the MCM Finish Festival.
Image via Marine Corps Marathon