Christmas Day Marathon

So what do you do on Christmas Day after all the presents have been opened?  Well if the relatives are in town, you may want to go for a run -- a long run, that is.

If your family or significant other will let you go for several hours, you are cordially invited to participate in the first (annual) Christmas Day Marathon.

We are starting at 9:00 AM on Constitution Avenue, just north of the Washington Monument and south of the National Christmas Tree (Rain, Snow, Sleet or Shine)

The route will then take you to the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree before heading southeast towards Anacostia.

This will be the first true DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) marathon.

I will stage minimal aid along the way at Mile 4 (Congress Heights) and Mile 13 (National Harbor).  At National Harbor, we will take pictures in front of the 65-foot Christmas Tree made of synthetic "candy" glass.


 This is the new DMV Loop that is exactly 26.2 miles. It starts and ends at the Washington Monument.

The route relies heavily on bike and running trails and only about 5% of it is on busy streets.

We then cross the WW Bridge and stop in Old Town to view their Christmas tree and decoration near the Torpedo Factory.  Then it's a 10 mile run back towards the National Christmas Tree.

Since it's a Holy Day, we will not be breaking any speed records. We're going to take our time, enjoy, work off the egg nog and pumpkin pie and everyone we run into say "Happy Holidays."

Please contact me if you are seriously interested or seriously insane.  (Don't just show up without contacting me first, so we can plan accordingly)

This event is free, but you have to (BYOA) bring your own aid.

Routes used:

1. Anacostia Park

2. Suitland Parkway

3. Oxon Run Trail

4. Oxon Hill Bike Trail

5. National Harbor/Woodrow Wilson

6. Mount Vernon Trail

This marathon loop crosses three bridges:

1. Frederick Douglas (Nationals Park to Anacostia)

2. Woodrow Wilson (National Harbor to Alexandria)

3. Memorial (Arlington to National Mall)

It finishes with one loop around Hains Point to finish at the Washington Monument to reach exactly 26.2 miles.  The majority of the course is very scenic especially along Oxon Hill Trail (wild deer and turkeys)

The only major traffic lights you will encounter are those along Independence Ave and on Suitland Parkway and Stanton Rd in SE.