Marine Corps Marathon Will Prompt Ample Road Closures This Weekend

(Updated at 10 a.m.) The 44th Marine Corps Marathon returns to Arlington and D.C. this Sunday, October 27, bringing thousands of runners to the area along with lots of road closures.

Opening ceremonies for the races begin at 6 a.m. along Route 110 between the Pentagon and the Arlington National Cemetery. The 5oK race kicks off at 7:30 a.m., then the wheelchair/hand cycle race starts at 7:40 a.m., and finally the marathon and 10K begin at 7:55 a.m. Approximately 30,000 runners are participating in the race.

MCM events in Arlington include a finish festival in Rosslyn and opportunities to cheer the runners on along the streets of Crystal City.

Many of Sunday’s road closures begin in the early morning and last until later in the day.

Per a press release from the Arlington County Police Department, the following county roads will close on Sunday:

• 3:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Marshall Drive from North Meade Street to Route 110
• 3:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. North Meade Street from Marshall Drive to North Lynn Street
• 3:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Route 110 from I-66 to Richmond Highway
• 3:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Wilson Boulevard from North Nash Street to Route 110
• 3:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Lynn Street from North Meade Street to Lee Highway
• 3:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Fort Myer Drive from North Meade Street to Lee Highway
• 3:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. North Moore Street from Wilson Boulevard to Lee Highway
• 3:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 19th Street North from North Lynn Street to North Nash Street
• 3:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Route 110 ramp from Washington Blvd. to Pentagon North parking
• 6:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Lee Highway (eastbound) from North Lynn Street to Kirkwood Road
• 6:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Spout Run Parkway from southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) to Lee Highway
• 6:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. GWMP northbound from Spout Run to Memorial Circle Drive
• 6:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Francis Scott Key Bridge (all lanes)
• 6:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. I-66 Westbound ramp for Exit 75
• 6:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. I-66 Eastbound ramp for Exit 73
• 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. HOV lanes from 14th Street Southwest to HOV ramp at South Eads Street
• 5:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. South Eads Street from South Rotary Road to Army Navy Drive
• 5:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Army Navy Drive from South Fern Street to 12th Street South
• 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. 15th Street South from Crystal Drive to South Eads Street
• 6:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 12th Street South from South Eads Street to Crystal Drive
• 6:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Crystal Drive from 12th Street South to 23rd Street South
• 6:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Long Bridge Drive from 12th Street South to I-395
• 6:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 6th Street South from Long Bridge Drive to South Ball Street
• 6:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 10th Street South from Long Bridge Drive to South Ball Street
• 6:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. South Ball Street from 6th Street South to 10th Street South
• 3:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Boundary Channel Drive from I-395 to Pentagon North Parking
• 3:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Washington Blvd. from Columbia Pike to Memorial Circle

In addition, per an agreement between marathon organizers and WMATA, Metro will be open two hours early on Sunday and provide extra service on the Blue and Yellow lines.

Additional travel tips from the press release, after the jump.

The Marine Corps Marathon recommends that runners arrive two (2) hours prior to start time, proceed through the security checkpoint, drop off bags, and line up in the appropriate corral.

Runners, spectators and volunteers are strongly encouraged to use ridesharing, public and multimodal transportation options. Runners arriving by vehicle are encouraged to make use of Shuttle Services offered by the Marine Corps Marathon or the Kiss and Run drop-off location at Army Navy Drive and South Fern Street. Additional information about getting to the race start and finish is available on the Marine Corps Marathon website.

Designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up zones has been established at the following locations:

Morning events in Crystal City – Army Navy Drive at S. Fern Street

Afternoon events in Crystal City – 2400 block of Crystal Drive

Finish Festival – 1900 block of Lee Highway

NOTE: E-Scooters and bicycles will not be allowed inside certain restricted areas of the event, riders may be directed by law enforcement to either turn around or park the equipment and walk to their destination.

The Metro will open at 6:00 a.m. on race day. The closest Metro access to the start is the Pentagon station on the Blue and Yellow lines. The Arlington Cemetery Station is the only station that will remain closed on Marathon morning until 8:30 a.m.

Motorists should expect significant delays in and around the race course. If you are travelling to the event or in the area, allow extra time, seek alternate routes, or utilize public or multimodal transportation options to reduce road congestion.

Photo via Marine Corps Marathon