St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon & 5K

Saturday, March 16, 2024 • Washington, DC • Course Map

Popular thanks to its relatively flat city streets and the historic beauty of its architecture and natural scenery, Washington D.C. plays host each year to the race formerly known as the National Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay, which dropped the full marathon in recent years and today is the Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon & 5K.

Though the course is (as always) subject to change, the race is set to take runners on a fast and flat route through the streets of the nation’s capitol, with lots of views of iconic national monuments like the U.S. Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, the White House and the U.S. Botanical Gardens.

Runners in both the half and the full marathon share the same race route for most of the half marathon, which starts near the Washington Monument on 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, and finishes near RFK Stadium, along East Capitol Street and near Anacostia Park.

In between, runners will pass by many of the nation’s capital’s most historic places and monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Arlington Memorial Bridge and Oak Hill Cemetery.

While most of the course is flat and fast, as any visitor to Washington will be familiar with, there are a few rolling hills that start just before runners reach the mid-way point of the half marathon.

The course rises more than 100 feet quickly as the course runs along the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway between miles 6 and 7, and then slowly descends over the next few miles as runners make their way through the second half of the half marathon.

Walkers are welcome to take part in the half marathon, provided they can complete their 13.1 miles within the 4-hour course time limit.

For runners participating in the full marathon, the course continues on past RFK Stadium and heads toward the Capitol Building and the Library of Congress, and then heads across the Mall for long stretches along the Potomac and Anacostia River waterfront areas.

Awards & Accolades

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC was the tenth most popular half marathon in the United States in 2023.

Race Weather & Climate

Peak fall season can be quite cold in the Washington area, as temperatures average between the low 40s and the low 60s in March. Wet weather is a possibility (either rain or a late-season dusting of snow), as area rainfall averages just over 3 inches during the month.

  • March 16 average low temp: 43°F
  • March 16 average high temp: 57°F

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

  • 8:00 AM — 5K
  • 8:30 AM — half marathon

Course Time Limit

  • 1 hour — 5K
  • 4 hours — half marathon

Fees

  • $115 and up – half marathon
  • $49 and up – 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of Washington’s Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon or 5K race, register online at Active.com here.

Official Race Website

runrocknroll.com

Comments

Ever run in the Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments box below.

See more races in: Washington D.C., Rock ‘n’ Roll Series

11 comments… add one
  • Brandon Foster March 28, 2022, 8:45 am

    I would like to register for next years 5K. I am a cancer survivor and I saw the race and said to myself next year I am going to do that.

    Reply
  • Laura Buffalino March 12, 2020, 5:30 pm

    Anyone know if this years race is officially canceled due to corona virus???

    Reply
  • Dave Myrd January 6, 2020, 10:20 am

    For the half, is a shuttle bus available to take us from the finish point to the start point in order to get back to our car?

    Reply
    • Gene J Johnson March 12, 2020, 9:36 am

      Is the race still scheduled as planned in lite of the coronavirus

      Reply
  • Evelyn Olivia Darden March 4, 2019, 3:57 pm

    I want o change my registration from half marathon to 5K for the DC Rock and Roll half marathon for March 9, 2019

    Reply
  • Jay Nam February 23, 2019, 6:15 pm

    Where to parking and how to reserve the lot.

    Reply
  • Tiana Williams December 10, 2017, 8:22 pm

    How do I sign up trying to get fit

    Reply
  • Chip Miller March 10, 2016, 12:29 pm

    Parking and potential transportation to the start line?

    Reply
  • Chip Miller March 10, 2016, 12:28 pm

    Need info on parking/transportation. Can you share this information? Thx.

    Reply
  • Stefan Johansson March 13, 2015, 7:48 pm

    Washington DC half. I was signed up and ready but was on business and came back late Friday afternoon and I can’t pick up the ticket after 7pm, on the evening before. Really poor. the day before the race it should be open until 10pm at least.
    A not so happy runner.

    Reply

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