Thank you for entering the 11th annual Potomac River Run Marathon and Half, Sunday, May 4, starting and finishing at Carderock Recreation Area, Carderock MD.

This message is the first of several over the next 2 weeks as you prepare for the marathon and half.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

  • The half marathon and full marathon start and finish at Carderock Recreation Area, Carderock MD.
  • (The mail-in entry form listed the start / finish incorrectly.)

  • Directions: Take I-495 Capital Beltway to Exit 41, the first exit north of Potomac River.
  • As you drive down the ramp, stay left onto Clara Barton Parkway westbound.
  • You see a sign for Carderock as you approach the split.
  • Drive one mile west and take the first exit on the right up a ramp.
  • You see sign for Carderock - NavSurfWarCen (Naval Surface Warfare Center)
  • At the top of the ramp, stay left and turn left to cross a bridge over Clara Barton Parkway.
  • Continue straight after you cross the bridge, then to the right thru a tunnel. (The tunnel is under C&O Canal and C&O Canal Towpath.)
  • Immediately after the tunnel, look to your left.
  • You see a small gravel path.
  • Our start / finish is up the path on the C&O Canal Towpath are on the other side of the gate.
  • Pass the gravel path and continue straight ahead or to the right to free parking.
  • Please do not use the parking area on the left, because a local school event reserved the parking area on the left and the picnic pavilion.
  • Parking is limited. We encourage you to ride-share using our Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/PotomacRiverRun or to take our Red Top Cab service for $10 from Key Bridge Marriott, Sunday, May 4, at 6:00 AM, to Carderock

    ANNOUNCER AND LAUGHTER LEADER:

  • Michael "Showtime Mike" Mebrahtu
  • Read about Showtime Mike at mmebra2.wix.com/showtimemike

    START / FINISH

  • All runners start on the other side of the gate at the top of the gravel path, turn right, run 6.55 miles towards DC, turn around between Chain Bridge and Capital Crescent Trail overpass, and run back.
  • When half marathoners finish, they turn left at the gravel path and finish before the gate.
  • When full marathoners reach the midpoint of their race, they stay right to continue past the gravel path for about 20 meters, turn around left at the cones, and run the course again.
  • When full marathoners finish their second loop, they turn left at the gravel path and finish before the gate.
  • We have water, Gatorade, and Simone Super Energy at the start.
  • We have water and Gatorade at Lock 10, Lock 7, and Lock 5.
  • We have water, Gatorade, Simone Super Energy, pizza, bagels, and bananas at the finish.

    AID STATIONS

  • The start / finish and the aid stations at Locks 10 and 7 are staffed by Buy A Brick Foundation | www.teamafrica.com, building schools in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia).
  • The aid station at Lock 5 and the turnaround are staffed by DC Capital Striders | www.DCCapitalStriders.com

    WE THANK OUR SPONSORS

  • Jack Taylor Alexandria Toyota / Scion
  • RBC Wealth Management
  • Big Wheel Bikes
  • Georgetown Running Company
  • Simone Super Energy
  • Timex Ironman
  • Whole Food Market
  • Mario's Pizza House
  • Falls Road Running Store

    PRE-RACE EVENTS:

  • Packet assembly & pick-up Thursday, May 1, 6:00-8:00 PM, Key Bridge Marriott, 1401 Lee Highway, Arlington VA -- 3rd floor, Jackson Room -- volunteers needed!
  • Packet pick-up Saturday, May 3, 3:00-6:00 PM, Georgetown Running Company, 340% M Street NW, Washington DC (202-337-8626)
  • Pre-race dinner Saturday, May 3, 6:30 PM, at Cosi Restaurant, 1801 North Lynn Street, Arlington VA with guest speaker Gib Leonard, BuyABrickFoundation | www.teamafrica.com
  • Race-day packet pick-up Sunday, May 4, 6:30–7:45 AM, at Carderock Recreation Area
  • - 7:00 AM - Early Bird non-competitive start
  • - 7:45 AM - Laughing warm-up, led by Michael "Showtime Mike" Mebrahtu
  • - 7:50 AM - National Anthem
  • - 7:55 AM - Official welcome
  • - 8:00 AM - Competitive start
  • - The 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM half marathons are qualifiers for Chicago, Houston, and NYC Marathons
  • - The 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM full marathons are Boston qualifiers
  • - Right after you finish, we present you a medal by Dan Kain Trophies, and we try to compute award winners in real time as you finish
  • - Awards: In the 8:00 AM marathon: $250 to 1st, $150 to 2nd, $100 to 3rd M/F, and Georgetown Running Co. certificates to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in 10-year age-groups M/F

    SPECIAL ITEMS AT PACKET PICK-UP

  • While supplies last, you can choose a free LED light from www.dontgethit.com in red, white, blue, green, or yellow
  • We have some of last year's Potomac River Run Marathon & Half t-shirt for sale for $5 or best offer
  • We have some t-shirts with spectacular view from the sky of New York City's Central Park, also $5 or best offer


    -- Thank you
    -- Jay Jacob Wind, director
    -- Safety And Health Foundation
    -- www.SafetyAndHealthFoundation.org
    -- racedirector@att.net
    -- 703-927-4833 (my cell phone)