I loved running this - but choose based on what you're looking for because it has drawbacks. The Marine support was outstanding, moving and humbling. Much of the course is beautiful and exciting to run, and there is nice variety - with several miles of tranquility as you go out the point around the halfway mark, plus the tree-lined stretch before you hit Georgetown, balanced by the excitement of Georgetown and the monument/Capitol area.

But it is hard to run your best. First, the roads are narrow and clogged for many miles - at least 8 for me, when I finally fought past a moving roadblock of people following the 4 hour pace leader (who somehow got in front of me even though I lined up at the front of the 3:40 corral). This is compounded by the early hills, because everyone slows down to climb them, so there is a big ripple effect as everyone further back has to slow as a result. (For me it was smooth sailing once I got past the 4 mile group; others put the clear patch around Georgetown, when the streets widen.)

Second, some late parts of the course really are a drag, and this gets glossed over in promos and most comments. You celebrate passing mile 20 by leaving DC and entering a totally desolate 2-mile stretch on a bridge and then freeway ramps, much concrete, and culminating in a climb. Your reward is to run on an out and back away from the finish and further into Crystal City, which despite banners and decent crowds really is just kind of an urban office park - and all the while you are watching people ahead of you heading for home, and just dying to know when you get to turn around and head to the finish as well.

Then, eventually, it's back through the start area and to the Iwo Jima - a very cool way to finish, with the hill being steep but short, for me something to just work up in a very low gear.

Despite the quibbles, I loved my experience. It was a total thrill and honor to get a medal and sincere handshake and congratulations from a Marine at the end (as well as energetic and capable on-course support), and to participate in this thrilling event.

Oh, yeah, getting out of there is indeed a total mess. How about getting Metro to just open a gate and not try to make 20,000 sweaty people plus families individually scan fare cards at a handful of turnstiles?

Iam a Cancer survivor for 7 months now and decided to Run the Marathon which I did back in 1993.As I stayed at the host hotel, I did not expect to have to take 2 subways and then walk a good 20 min.to where we had to start.It was very cold and windy.Once we started I loved the fact that the crowds for support was wall to wall to motivate us and the Marines were excellent with the tables for water etc. Imust say that it was a great day with the exception of having to wait for over an hour standing to get into the metro station to get back to my hotel which would not extend our time enough to shower and get ready to drive back 11hours to get home.We paid an extra 50 dollars to be able to shower and keep a room until 6pm. I find this very unfair being a host hotel. I have run 53 previous marathons and have never encountered this problem. You can not and should not have almost a 2hr. wait to get back on the metro and make your way back to your hotel.Please try to address this problem.I needed a little medical attention afterwards, and the staff were Excellent with taking care of me. Thank You all so much. On the whole it was a Great Marathon and the T-Shirts and finishers Medals were Beautiful.I would love to do this Marathon again !!

My previous marathon had been much smaller (1800 finishers) with easy logistics. Easy to get the start line, easy to leave, and very little crowd support. The crowds and fan support totally make this marathon worth it in my opinion. Recommend metro into the start line. Our wait to leave on the metro wasn't bad (about 15 minute line). Actually ran past one Marine who was CARRYING another for the entire race. It was very special to receive my medal from the young 2nd Lt who genuinely asked me how I felt today and congratulated me. Semper Fi, I'll be back.

This was my first and due to my experience there, possibly my last. I'm not sure why people like this marathon so much as compared to others. I guess I'm going to be forced to run a different marathon to find out what is so great about this one. If you're a Marine then you've heard the term 'Cluster F***' before.. That about sums up this whole weekend for me.. from the expo to the side events to the actual race. For the sake of the runners who choose to run this race next year, I hope they find a different group of people to organize it. About the only thing that went well was the Dining In the night before...oh wait, I just remembered what I hated about that too..lol

Without going into too much detail, I'll start with the expo. The venue was too small for the amount of people visiting and yet too big for the number of vendors, or lack thereof, that attended. If there were 50 different vendors in that airplane hanger selling running related items, I'd be surprised. I saw at least 4 booths selling sunglasses and another 4 with compression socks. Then completely unrelated to running were the 2 or 3 insurance companies, a college (really? people want to sign up for college at health and fitness expo?) and various 'donate to cure(insert disease here)' booths. Are you telling me Saucony, Adidas,Nike,Mizuno,New Balance and any of the other local running shops didn't want to have anything to do with a race that boasts 30k runners? Were the organizers of the marathon stupid enough to sign an exclusive agreement with Brooks (who, by the way, ran out of most of the stuff that people wanted)?
The Carb Dining In: Someone please tell me why family and friends were allowed to attend a carb dinner when there were runners who were blocked out because there were no more tickets left. Not only that, two people that weren't even running won 2 of the prizes that were handed out!

I could go on about the race but I'm only allowed 1000 words. If you're a Marine and you want to run a marathon, you have to run this race..no brainer.I am and I did. But I wouldn't do it again.

This was my first marathon. The course went from running along the Potomac with the trees overhead, through Georgetown, the national monuments, was flat in places with several challenging hills, including the last run up to Iwo Jima for the finish. It was well planned, well supported and the crowd was excellent in providing motivation.

This was my third marathon. Aided by the weather and crowds, I bested my PR by 30 minutes! I think anyone running marathons should try to get into this one. Yes, the crowds are huge and at times hard to manage, but that comes with the territory. You are running in the nation's capital with 25,000 runners, many service men among them. Yes, the food at the end was not the best it could be, but hey, it had all the required mixture of carbs, protein and good fats sources. Just eat your calories after run, and do the celebratory gourmet in the evening. The crowd support was phenomenal. Military aircraft flying overhead, the parachute jumpers landing at the start lane, the fallen heroes remembrance, all that reminded me that we leave in a great country (I am a naturalized citizen). The times are a bit tougher now than before, and we need moments like this, for reflection. Run the MCM and be proud of our country!

My 2nd marathon but this one made me smile. I couldn't keep it off my face even when things started to hurt. Beating the bridge nearly brought a tear to my eye.

Overall it was an outstanding race with fantastic spectators for every inch of the 26.2. Even the others runners were great. It was like running with 20,000 of my closest friends. OORAH! Marines!! Thank you!!!
Nothing negative to say except who puts a hill of that degree after a 26 mile run? Whatever, it was cool getting my pic in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial.

A flawless race. After reading past comments about the choas at the fininsh, I was prepared for the worst, but it was great. I finished at 3:46 and there was no congestion at all. It was a long walk to the family reunion area, but it kept foot traffic moving. The start was very orderly (except, like every race, the folks who ignore self-seeding instructions). The water stations functioned perfectly and there was plenty of food. The crowd support was tremendous and the course was very scenic. It was quite hilly through the first 7 and the finishing hill was really tough, but the Marines made us earn the beautiful medal. I love the shirt and will wear it often, but not when running. I have nothing but praise for all elements of this inspiring race. If you want to run it, make sure you register on the first day as it will continue to sell out quickly. If I ever repeat a race, this is one that I would definitely consider.

This is a great one. The course is stunning (except for the Crystal City component; why not race through some DC neighborhoods instead?), the organization top notch; thank you, Marines, and the whole event has a great spirit. The biggest downside are the endless lines after you finish, first to get food and get out and then to get the shuttle back to the parking garage (and I suspect the lines for the subway were just as bad). It was 2 hours between the time I crossed the finish line and the time I got in my car, and I didn't do anything at the finish festival, just tried to get home. That's a painful amount of time to still be on your feet after running 26.2.

This year's race started in unusual cold and that was tough to wait around in. Once the sun came up, however, it was perfect marathon weather. The medal was great and the baggage dropoff and pickup were seamless and quick.

The course is more challenging than I expected. The early hills weren't bad but the famous bridge is actually several bridges that go on and on with no support. And that final hill is so steep its funny. ('They expect me to run up that? After all the running I've already done?')

I wish they could do something about the finish area, but they seem wedded to the idea of finishing at the Iwo Jima, so I don't see how that will change.

Really enjoyed this event. If big marathons are your thing you will want to do this one again and again, if you like smaller events you'll still want to do it once.

Huge Expo - take the Metro to it. Don't expect to be able to buy cool MCM merchandise on Saturday afternoon, they will be sold out of all the good / interesting stuff so go early if you want to shop.

The marathon itself is a great way to see some of the high points of the DC area, and the crowds are great - a lot of fun to run through the big groups cheering you along.

Starting order is on the honor system MCM. Which means if you start in your appropriate corral you will be dodging past slower runners (and walkers) for 26.2 miles. I advise ignoring the corrals and starting as close to the front as you can (like everyone else does).

I parked and rode the shuttle buses to the start, got the shuttle about 6:00am with no issues and maybe a 10 minute wait. After the race it took me 2+ hours (waiting in line and then riding the bus) to get back to my car. I don't think folks that take the Metro fare much better.