The Marine Corps Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the United States. It is held annually on the last Sunday in October. The race starts on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, crosses over to the streets of Washington DC, crossing over the Memorial Bridge to finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial. While the race, sometimes called the ‘People’s Marathon’, promotes physical fitness, it also serves to encourage community goodwill and display the organizational skills of the United States Marine Corps.

Every year, about 30,000 registered runners participate in this event. Marathon participants pick up their runner packet at the Health and Fitness Expo, held on Friday and Saturday before the race. Hundreds of sponsors participate at the Expo where vendors sell athletic gear to attendees. The Expo provides funds for the Marathon,and a pleasant experience for the runners. In prior years, packet pickup had been at either RFK DC Armory or Verison Center. Beginning in 2016, packet pickup, and the Health and Fitness Expo, will be held in the Gaylord Convention Center at National Harbor.