2026 20th Abebe Bikila Marathon & Half

About the Event

We welcome 300 individual entries
You may also enter as a sponsor (Bronze $250, Silver $500, Gold $1000, which includes a complimentary entry) - All donations are tax-deductible
Sponsors may send or deliver to me 300 copies of your menu, advertising flyer, coupon, or business card in our souvenir bags
EVENTS: 8:00 AM FULL MARATHON ----- 9:00 AM HALF MARATHON
Flat - scenic - beautiful views of the Potomac River - tree-lined - shaded - out'n'back
Start and finish at Fletcher's Cove | 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
USATF certified course DC09005RT | Certificate | Color Map | B&W Map | PDF | GMAP
Course elevation profile: -------------------------------
Highest point is 44m above sea level, lowest point is 12m above sea level
Enjoy a lovely day on the C&O Canal Towpath!
See displays about the historic C&O Canal before & after race

Off-Site Parking Options

Parking is limited at Fletcher's Cove, and we must leave spaces open for the general public, as it's a National Park and open to the public even during races
Thus we want as many participants as possible to park off-site, so that we leave some parking spaces available at Fletcher's Cove for the general public. Off-site parking options:
• The River School entrance on Reservoir Road
• W Street, Bending Lane, or Hutchins Place off Reservoir Road
• Palisades Library, 4901 V St NW, Washington, DC 20007
• Our Lady of Victory School, 4755 Whitehaven Pkwy NW, Washington, DC 20007
• CVS/pharmacy, 4859 MacArthur Boulevard NW, Washington, DC 20007

We offer round-trip Red Top Cab rides from our host hotel Le Meridien to Fletcher's Cove departing at 7:00 AM on race day for only $10.00 arriving about 7:20 AM
For the return trip after you finish, see the on-site Transportation Director. After you finish, as we get groups of four finishers, we call Red Top Cab for a ride back to our host hotel
Please register for the taxi service in advance
From westbound Canal Road, Red Top Cab drops you off at Reservoir Road, at the entrance to Fletcher's Cove
Please cross Canal Road CAREFULLY to get to Fletcher's Cove and walk down the ramp to packet pick-up or straight to the start line if you already picked up your packet

Races Offered

Half Marathon or Full Marathon - Members of supporting clubs, active duty military, or veterans

Sep 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — 21.1K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

12:00

sell

$130.00

Half Marathon or Full Marathon - Non-Members

Sep 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — 21.1K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

12:00

sell

$140.00

Red Top Cab ride at 7:00 AM from Le Meridien Hotel 1121 N. 19th St, Arlington VA, returning when you're done - Just a Red Top Cab ride at 7:00 AM from Red Top Cab ride at 7:00 AM from Le Meridien Hote

Sep 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — 42.2K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

12:00

sell

$10.00

Sponsor - $250 minimum, and you can advertise in our souvenir bags - Bronze Sponsor

Sep 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — 250K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

12:00

sell

$250.00

Sponsor - $250 minimum, and you can advertise in our souvenir bags - Gold Sponsor

Sep 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — 250K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

12:00

sell

$1000.00

Sponsor - $250 minimum, and you can advertise in our souvenir bags - Silver Sponsor

Sep 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — 250K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

12:00

sell

$500.00

Transfers or Deferrals from a Previous Race - Transfers or Deferrals from a Previous Race

Sep 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — 42.2K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

12:00

sell

$10.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for September in Washington.

thermostat Temperature

16.7° / 25.9°

wb_sunny Feels like

16.5° / 25.8°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

8h 31m

water_drop Avg rainfall

3.5 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

9.1 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

High

terrain Course conditions

Hard and dry surface

sunny Max UV Index

Moderate (5.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

73.7%

wb_twilight Sunrise

06:50

nightlight Sunset

19:15

About Washington

Learn more about the host city, Washington.

Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia and commonly known as simply Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River across from Virginia and shares land borders with Maryland to its north and east. It was named after George Washington, a Founding Father and the first president of the United States. The district is named for Columbia, the female personification of the nation, through which human form and attributes are applied to the United States.