Metro to open at 5 a.m. for Marine Corps Marathon Sunday, Oct. 25

Updated: 11/2/2026

Metro Rail will open at 5 a.m. to help thousands of runners get to the starting line for the 51st Marine Corps Marathon, one of the region’s most celebrated annual events. Trains will run frequently throughout the day, making Metro Rail the easiest way to get around while avoiding traffic and road closures.

Nearest Stations

For packet pick up, runners can take Metro to Judiciary Sq or Gallery Place. The National Building Museum is a short walk from the stations.

On race day, runners can take Metro to Pentagon for the Runners Village and race starting line. Note, only runners will be allowed at the start and finish lines this year.

Spectators can take Metro to race viewing spots near the following stations: Smithsonian, Crystal City, L’Enfant Plaza, and Arlington Cemetery (opening at 9 a.m.). Use Metro’s Trip Planner to map out your ride.

Spectators can meet runners at the Family Link Up Zone near Rosslyn.

Fares range from $2.25 to $2.50 for any one-way trip. Customers can simply tap a debit, credit, or mobile wallet card to pay for trips at fare gates. Be sure to use the same card to exit. Other payment options are also available.

Service Information

Metro Rail

Saturday, Oct. 24

Stations will open at 6 a.m. and will operate normal Saturday frequencies with increased capacity. Participants in the MCM 8K on Saturday morning can take Metro to Smithsonian or Federal Triangle. Please note, the starting line is about a mile from either station.

Red Line: Trains run every 6 minutes; after 9:30 p.m. trains run every 10 minutes.

Green Line: Trains run every 8 minutes all day.

Yellow Line: Trains run every 8 minutes all day.

Blue Line: Trains run every 12 minutes; after 9:30 p.m. trains run every 15 minutes.

Orange Line: Trains run every 12 minutes; after 9:30 p.m. trains run every 15 minutes.

Silver Line: Trains run every 12 minutes; after 9:30 p.m. trains run every 15 minutes.

Sunday, Oct. 25

Stations will open at 5 a.m. and will operate normal Sunday frequencies.

Red Line: Trains run every 6 minutes; after 9:30 p.m. trains run every 10 minutes.

Green Line: Trains run every 8 minutes all day.

Yellow Line: Trains run every 8 minutes all day.

Blue Line: Trains run every 12 minutes; after 9:30 p.m. trains run every 15 minutes. Arlington Cemetery will open at approximately 9 a.m.

Orange Line: Trains run every 12 minutes; after 9:30 p.m. trains run every 15 minutes.

Silver Line: Trains run every 12 minutes; after 9:30 p.m. trains run every 15 minutes.

At downtown stations served by multiple lines, trains will arrive every 4 minutes on Blue, Orange, and Silver lines between Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory and every 4 minutes on Green and Yellow lines between Mt. Vernon Sq and L’Enfant Plaza.

Metro Bus

Sunday, Oct. 25 – Marine Corps Marathon

Pentagon Transit Center - Due to the event, all Metro Bus service that normally operates to/from the Pentagon will be diverted to Pentagon City on Sunday from 2:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. While the Transit Center will reopen at 4 p.m., the detours will continue through 7 p.m. due to road closures. Additional staff will be on hand at Pentagon City to assist bus customers.

Rosslyn Bus Terminal - All Metro Bus service will be relocated from the Rosslyn Bus Terminal to North Oak St between Wilson Blvd and North 18th St from 2:30 a.m. until approximately 7 p.m. to accommodate the Marathon Finish Festival.

Crystal City Station - All Metro Bus service will be relocated from Crystal City to Pentagon City from 2:30 a.m. until approximately 7 p.m. to accommodate the Marine Corps Marathon.

Across Virginia and DC - Due to road closures, some Metro Bus routes will be detoured or turned back between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. The following routes will be impacted: A11, A1X, A27, A40, A58, A66, A76, D10, D1X, D30, D32, D40, D4X, D44, D50, D60, D6X, D74, D80, F44, and F62. Please note, road closures are subject to change with some detours potentially extending through 7 p.m. View a list of temporary detours.

Customers will be notified as roads reopen on X at @MetrobusInfo and on the Status and Alerts page or sign up for MetroAlerts to receive up-to-date service information.

Travel Tools and Resources

Metro’s customer service team can assist with questions, trip planning, and more via chat, email, phone, or our social media channels. Customers can call or text 202-GO-METRO (TTY 202-962-2033) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Automated information available 24/7.

Follow @wmata, @metrorailinfo, and @metrobusinfo on X or @wmata.com, @metrorailinfo.bsky.social, and @metrobusinfo on Bluesky for the latest service information.

For service alerts via text or email, sign up for Metro Alerts, download the Metro Pulse app, or visit wmata.com/metropulse for real-time service information.

About Metro 

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro, is the region’s leading public transportation provider, serving a population of approximately four million people across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia within a 2,054-square-mile jurisdiction. With a network of six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes, and a door-to-door paratransit service, Metro is the second busiest transit system in the United States serving 268.9 million trips in 2025 with a $5 billion operating and capital budget. Since 2022, Metro has completed multiple transit-oriented development projects that have brought $15 million in tax revenue to the region from housing, office, and retail space in our community. Safety and security are core values at Metro. Over 30,000 cameras monitor the system, and Metro currently has the lowest crime rate in history with fare evasion on rail and bus declining. In 2025, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) named Metro the Transit Agency of the Year in recognition of industry-leading ridership growth, record high customer satisfaction, a newly redesigned Bus network, expanded rail service, and improved customer experience.