Potomac River Run Marathon
Potomac River Run Marathon gives D.C. runners a small Boston qualifier on the C&O Canal Towpath, with a flat gravel out-and-back from Fletcher's Cove.
Quick facts
- Boston-qualifying marathon with an official USATF certification link on the race information page.
- Full marathon starts at Fletcher's Cove before the half marathon field.
- Course is mostly crushed-gravel towpath, not a conventional city-road route.
About the Potomac River Run Marathon
The Safety and Health Foundation's spring marathon is a long-running D.C. race with a simple C&O Canal Towpath layout and half marathon option.
Course
The course starts and finishes at Fletcher's Cove, using a shaded out-and-back towpath route with almost no pavement and no major hills.
Race-day weather
Early May in Washington can swing from cool and damp to warm and humid. Shade helps, but hydration planning matters if the day turns warm.
Past Potomac River Run Marathon dates and results
| Year | Date | Status | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, May 2, 2026 | Completed | Open results |
| 2025 | Saturday, May 3, 2025 | Completed | Open results |
| 2024 | Saturday, May 4, 2024 | Completed | Open results |
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Potomac River Run Marathon FAQ
When is the Potomac River Run Marathon?
We're waiting for the finalized date for the 2027 Potomac River Run Marathon. The most recent running was on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Is Potomac River Run Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes. Potomac River Run Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier. To use the result, you must run the certified full-marathon course within the qualifying window and meet the current standard for your age and gender. Meeting the standard lets you apply but does not guarantee entry, and net-downhill courses can receive a time adjustment under current B.A.A. rules. Review the Boston qualifying times and downhill-course rules, or browse upcoming Boston qualifier marathons.
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