Founders Half Marathon
A ten dollar club half marathon on the C&O Canal towpath outside Washington, run as a flat out and back on packed stone in the middle of December.
Every link above goes to the race, its timing provider, or an official registration partner. Last checked July 28, 2026.
Quick facts
- Ten dollar entry, among the cheapest timed half marathons in the country.
- Flat out and back on packed crushed stone rather than pavement.
- Two water stops near Lock 10 and Lock 6, each passed twice.
- Small winter field of roughly a couple hundred finishers, organized by DC Road Runners.
2026 Founders Half Marathon registration
Registration for the 2026 Founders Half Marathon runs through the official registration page at runsignup.com.
About the Founders Half Marathon
DC Road Runners has put on a December half marathon along the C&O Canal towpath for years, first as the Gar Williams Half Marathon and now under a name that honors all of the club's founders. Entry runs ten dollars, which makes it about the cheapest timed 13.1 in the country, and the field stays small enough that the towpath never feels crowded. Club members and non members enter the same race.
Course
The route is a straight out and back on the C&O Canal towpath, starting from the Carderock area parking above the Potomac River. The surface is packed crushed stone rather than asphalt, so the course is flat without being fast, and December can leave it soft in spots or frozen hard. Two water stops sit near Lock 10 and Lock 6, and runners pass each of them twice.
Race-day weather
December mornings in the Potomac gorge run cold, often in the 20s or 30s at the start, and the towpath sits low and shaded enough that it warms slowly. Layers you can shed after the turnaround tend to work better than one heavy top.
Past Founders Half Marathon dates and results
| Year | Date | Status | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, December 13, 2026 | Upcoming | — |
Founders Half Marathon FAQ
When is the Founders Half Marathon?
The 2026 Founders Half Marathon is on Sunday, December 13, 2026.
How do I register for the Founders Half Marathon?
Register for the Founders Half Marathon through the official registration link: marathonscout.com/go/founders-half-marathon/register. It opens the race registration page at runsignup.com.
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