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Washington, DC > Potomac River Run Marathon & Half Marathon
Washington, DC

Date

Sunday, May 3, 2009


 
Event Details

Located in Virginia, just south of the Washington D.C. area, the course for the annual springtime Potomac River Run Marathon & Half Marathon takes runners along the shaded, tree-lined path of the Mount Vernon Trail that skirts alongside the George Washington Memorial Parkway, from Belle Haven all the way down to Riverside Park and back. Though there are many flat stretches along the course, organizers emphasize that it is not a flat course overall, with quite a bit of rolling terrain as well as a couple of significant hills.

Thanks to the race's 7:00 AM start at Belle Haven Park, which lies just a mile south of Old Town Alexandria, runners are likely to spy lots of wildlife that's also enjoying the dawn along the Potomac as they begin running the course, from waterfowl like geese, cranes and heron to even deer. Just after the start, the course is flat for the first couple of miles along the paved trail, followed by a slight downhill at Northdown Drive and an uphill at Alexandria Avenue. After runners cross Alexandria, the course flattens out again for the next couple of miles, and reaches its hilliest section just after Waynewood Boulevard, along the stretch that takes runners past Fort Hunt National Park.

The hills continue as runners pass by the park on their way to Riverside Park, where they make the turn just before reaching the Mount Vernon estate, and start heading back along the route they've just run. After running past Fort Hunt, they'll again encounter the hilliest section of the race, which includes the race's two biggest hills. After they pass Waynewood Boulevard for the second time, however, runners get to enjoy the flat sections of the course again on the way toward the finish line.


Race Weather & Climate

Springtime weather tends to be mild to moderately warm in the Washington area, as temperatures average between 52°F and 76°F in May. Come prepared for wet weather, however, as area precipitation averages more than 4 1/4 inches during the month.


Fees

$40 if registered by November 30, 2008
$50 between December 1 - 31
$60 between January 1 - 31, 2009
$70 between February 1 - 28
$80 between March 1 - 31
$90 after April 30
$100 on May 2
(No registration on the day of the race)


Registration

To reserve your spot in the spring 2009 running of Belle Haven's Potomac River Run Marathon & Half Marathon, register online at Active.com or print out and mail in this downloadable entry form.


Website

www.pvtc.org



Course Map


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