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.
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
- 2023 Results
- 2022 Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon results
- 2021 Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon results
- 2019 Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon Results
- 2018 Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon Results
- 2017 Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon Results
- 2016 Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon Results
- 2015 Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon Results
- 2014 Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Half Marathon Results
- 2013 Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Half Marathon Results
- 2012 Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Half Marathon 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
Comments
Ever run in the Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments box below.
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.
This is fantastic, Brandon!
Next year’s race is on March 18, 2023 — and it looks like they’ve started the presale for it already, so you can sign up here: https://www.runrocknroll.com/washington-dc
-Terrell
Anyone know if this years race is officially canceled due to corona virus???
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?
Is the race still scheduled as planned in lite of the coronavirus
I want o change my registration from half marathon to 5K for the DC Rock and Roll half marathon for March 9, 2019
Where to parking and how to reserve the lot.
How do I sign up trying to get fit
Parking and potential transportation to the start line?
Need info on parking/transportation. Can you share this information? Thx.
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.