Marine Corps Marathon takes place on Sun, Oct 25, 2026 in Arlington, United States. The main route is 42.2 km.
- Date
- Sun, Oct 25, 2026
- Start
- Arlington 🇺🇸
- Distance
- 42.2 km
- Climbing
- 120 m
- Level
- Open to all
Recognized for impeccable organization on an iconic course managed by the U.S. Marines in Arlington, VA, and the nation’s capital, the Marine Corps Marathon is the third largest marathon in the United States and does not offer prize money, earning its nickname 'The People’s Marathon.'
Official event pageWhat this race demands
The Marine Corps Marathon requires sustained running endurance over a standard 42.2 km distance with minimal elevation change in an autumn climate.
Aerobic Endurance
Covering 42.2 km requires a high level of cardiovascular capacity and muscular stamina to sustain forward motion over several hours.
Impact Durability
The repetitive pounding of a road marathon places significant mechanical stress on the lower limbs, requiring specific structural preparation for late-race fatigue.
A sustained effort of this duration requires regular exogenous carbohydrate intake of 30 to 60 grams per hour to maintain blood glucose and support continuous output.
What would it take you?
Pick the level closest to yours for an estimate of finish time on this course and the training a solid preparation needs.
Estimated finish
3:50–4:35
Peak-week training
5–7 h/week
A model estimate from distance, climbing and level, not a promise. Conditions, drafting and pacing move it.
IntervalCoach turns those weekly hours into a concrete plan built around your actual fitness. Start with this race as your goal
Your road to race day
Race day at Marine Corps Marathon is 9 weeks away. This is how a coach divides that time. The first phase starts now.
01Build3 weeks · Aug 24, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026
Progressive overload: training load climbs in waves, with harder weeks stacked on the base and planned recovery weeks that let the gains land.
02Peak3 weeks · Sep 14, 2026 – Oct 4, 2026
The hardest weeks of the plan: race-specific intensity at nearly full training load, sharpening exactly what this race asks for.
03Taper2 weeks · Oct 5, 2026 – Oct 18, 2026
Volume drops while intensity stays: short, sharp efforts keep the legs awake as fatigue drains away.
04Race week1 week · Oct 19, 2026 – Oct 25, 2026
Openers, rest and logistics. The work is done; the job now is arriving fresh.
Similar races
Organising this race?