Ready, set, go! Metrorail to open two hours early for the Marine Corps Marathon, Oct. 29

Published: 10/26/2023

If you’re headed off to the races for the 2023 Marine Corps Marathon, Metrorail will get you there starting at 5 a.m. on race day, Sunday, October 29. All lines will open early, with no scheduled track work, to get you to the start line conveniently located off the Blue or Yellow lines.

Metro is the quickest way to get around to avoid traffic and road closures. Spectators can cheer on their favorite runners by hopping on Metro to the nearest station along the course. All lines will operate frequent all-day service and fares are an affordable $2 flat rate for any one-way trip.

If you need help planning your trip, use Metro’s Trip Planner to map out your ride from end to end. You can also see where your train is, time your connections, and get up-to-date service information with real-time tracking on MetroPulse.

The two-hour early opening is funded through an agreement with event organizers.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Metrorail

Sunday, Oct. 29

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

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

Yellow Line Green Line Trains every 8 minutes

Orange Line Trains every 10 minutes; after 9:30 p.m. trains every 15 minutes.

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

At downtown stations served by multiple lines, trains will arrive 4 minutes onBlue Line Orange Line Silver Line between Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory; and every 4 minutes onGreen Line Yellow Line between Mt Vernon Square and L’Enfant Plaza.

Metrobus

Saturday, Oct. 28 – Marine Corps Marathon Kids Run

Pentagon Bus Terminal – Due to the Marine Corps Marathon Kids Run, the following Metrobus routes that normally operate to/from the Pentagon including the 7A, 10A, 16A, 16C, 16E, 22A will be diverted to Pentagon City on Saturday, starting from 3:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 29 Marine Corps Marathon, 10K and 50K

Pentagon Bus Terminal- Due to the event, all Metrobus service that normally operates to/from the Pentagon will be diverted to Pentagon City Sunday until approximately 6 p.m.Additional staff will be on hand at Pentagon City Station to assist bus customers.

Rosslyn Bus Terminal- All Metrobus service will be relocated from the Rosslyn Bus Terminal to North Oak St between Wilson Blvd and North 18thSt from 4 a.m. until approximately 6 p.m. to accommodate the MCM Finish Festival.

Due to road closures, some Metrobus routes will be detoured or turned back between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Impacted routes include: 7A, 10A, 22A, 16A, 16C, 16E, 16M, 38B, 32, 33, 36 42, 43, 52, 70, 74, 79, P6, S2

View a list of temporary detours or the race map for information on road closures that may affect your Metrobus route. Routes will be detoured from opening and will reopen as allowed up through 6 p.m. Customers will be notified as roads reopen on X (formerly Twitter) @MetrobusInfo and on the Status and Alerts page or sign up for MetroAlerts to receive up-to-date service information.

TRAVEL TIPS

Friday, Oct 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28

  • The Marine Corps Marathon will provide shuttle buses from Metro’s Van Dorn Street and Eisenhower Avenue stations to the Health & Fitness Expo and Packet Pick-up at National Harbor.
    • Van Dorn St – Customers should take the Blue Line to Van Dorn St. Take the tunnel inside the station to the MCM Expo shuttle located in the Kiss & Ride Lot.
    • Eisenhower Ave – Customers should take the Yellow Line to Eisenhower Ave. Exit the station and look for the MCM Expo shuttle located along Eisenhower Ave.

Sunday, Oct. 29

  • The closest Metrorail station to the start of the race is Pentagon Station on the Blue and Yellow lines. Customers are advised that Pentagon Station may become exit only prior to the start of the race in the event of large crowds.
  • To avoid crowding at Pentagon Station with riders traveling to the start line, consider using Pentagon City instead.
  • Arlington Cemetery Station will be closed until approximately 8:30 
  • The closest Metrorail stations for the start of the MCM 10K on the National Mall are Archives and L'Enfant Plaza
  • SmarTrip mobile pay is the quickest and easiest way to pay your fare on your Apple or Android device. Just add the farecard to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet to instantly add money for your trip. Go to wmata.com/mobile to learn more.
  • SmarTrip cards may also be purchased at fare vending machines located at station entrances or at selectedretail locations.
  • Be sure to load enough value for your roundtrip.
  • Weekend Metrorail fares are $2 for any one-way trip; or a one-day pass may be purchased for $13 on your mobile device or at any fare vending machine for unlimited travel on Metrorail and Metrobus.
  • Please sign-up for MetroAlerts to receive service updates.

Marine Corps Marathon website

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