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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
  • 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

  • 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)

  • Please consider joining our future races:

  • 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 2025 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 , and US Olympic Marathon Trials -->
    • Both the half and the full marathon are a qualifiers for 2027 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, and 2028 Olympic Trials Marathons
    • The full marathon is a 2027 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
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    • 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:

    • $169.00 per night
    • For nights from Thursday, April 30, 2026, to Sunday, May 3, 2026
    • Last day to book: Thursday, April 14, 2026
    • Call 888-236-2427 and ask for SHS Potomac River Run May 2026 Room Block REFERENCE #:M-VAM8V98
    • Three miles from the start / Finish
    • 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

  • On-site services:

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  • 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

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    • Refreshments courtesy of Big Tony's Pizzeria, bagels, and Trader Joe's energy bars and fresh fruit from Trader Joe's

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  • 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 2025 sponsors:
  • Past years' results:

  • Race-Day Announcer:

  • Benefits

  • When you register, you may include an additional donation to Buy A Brick Foundation

  • Buy a Brick Foundation news:
    • Leigh and Gib Leonard, Founding Director of The Buy a Brick Foundation have been in Zimbabwe Africa for the past week on a 5-month mission.
    • We have been working in Zimbabwe for the past 20 Years.
    • Things are going very very well on the newly established projects, but keep in mind it is desperate here as the drought continues into its sixth year.
    • The people of Zimbabwe "THANK YOU" for all you do. These marathon races have been a big Supporter of Buy a Brick Foundation for more than a Decade.
    • The support has truly made a DIFFERENCE in the lives of THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS.
    • We completed construction of Leona Clinic, and we have started on another, called Batoka Clinic.
    • Along with these clinics, we have built over 39 school blocks and established 18 large community gardens that offer the opportunity for over 10,000 people to have year-round crop rotation.
    • The community garden projects have been a major success, and we are looking to expand the numbers.
    • The Batoka Clinic will be able to treat thousands of people in the rural bush villages just as Leona Clinic does today.
    • On our trip over in April 2024, we carried donated medical bags from Project C.U.R.E
    • We hope we can partner with Project C.U.R.E. and have containers of medical supplies shipped to Zimbabwe in the future, as it is so desperately needed.
    • April 2024 - The BIGGEST need is water. Our goal is to start pumping water from the mighty Zambezi River inland to the rural bush communities where there is No Water. This is an absolute emergency project.
    • We need to raise $250,000 for these water projects and hope to have multiple projects completed within the next couple months.
      -- Gib Leonard, www.BuyaBrickFoundation.org> www.BuyaBrickFoundation.org
  • Charitable Giving
    • Three times a year, at each marathon in May, September, and October, we donate $8000 to Buy A Brick Foundation, $1400 to Marathon Charity Cooperation, $600 to DC Capital Striders, a member of Road Runners Club of America, and $500 to Ethio-American Athletic Association
    • In September, we donate $2000 to Upendo Educational Foundation

    • On December 3, 2020, Giving Tuesday, we donated $4000 of expected net proceeds of our marathon not held on May 3, 2020, to Buy A Brick Foundation so it would get doubled by Facebook, then doubled again by a private donor
    • We shared our love in the time of coronavirus

    • In 2011-2017, we also supported American Red Cross International Response Fund in Haiti
    • On May 1, 2017, we donated $10, and we gratefully acknowledge the contribution from Lisa Totten
    • On April 22, 2015, we donated $225, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from Jim Amrhein, Holly Dubbeling, Elisabeth Mueller, Mary Beth Owens, Ann Marie Terzaken, Scott S. Thomas, Phoebe Uricchio, and John Wood
    • On December 27, 2014, we donated $150, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from Albert Avila, Mary H. Ester, Craig Odell, Tim Rooney, and Lynn Stapp
    • On May 5, 2014, we donated $145, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from Mehdi S. Cherqaoui, Jeff Duyn, Annie Lowrey, Zachary Maxcey, Mark John Rolincik, and Ginger Elaine Zarse
    • On May 6, 2013, we donated $100, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from Roberto Sidoti, Paula C. Bamford, Audrey Fincher, and Luke Mitchell
    • On May 5, 2013, we donated $1,000 to One Fund Boston in memory of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and in support of the many who were injured
    • On May 7, 2012, we donated $225, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from Madeline A. Blobe, Elizabeth Clor, Kevin Foley, Laura Huffman, Stephen Roberts, Joanne B. Sechrest, Ryan Earl Schmidt, and Oskar Tiger
    • On May 2, 2011, we donated $100, and we gratefully acknowledge contributions from John Batley, Katherine Anne Gergen Barnett, Hannah Kojm, and Robert Ian McDonald

  • 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.