Marine Corps Marathon’s Expo Will Move to National Harbor in 2016

After runners complete the 40th annual Marine Corps Marathon through D.C. and Virginia this weekend, they’ll most likely enjoy some well-earned R&R. But for those who choose to do it again next year, part of their olympian efforts may involve getting to the race at all.

Race organizers tweeted this afternoon that the official 2016 MCM hotel and exposition (at which runners collect their packet and bib) will move to Gaylord National Resort, in the (semi-)distant land of National Harbor. The area is not accessible by Metrorail.

Reactions to the announcement were swift, as many complained on social media about the harbor’s accessibility from downtown D.C. The race organizers (three of whom could not be immediately reached for comment) clarified in a subsequent tweet that shuttles (“lots of shuttles!”) will transport participants between the events. This year’s expo is being held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Mount Vernon Triangle; the official headquarter hotel for the race is the Hyatt Regency Washington, on Capitol Hill.

National Harbor is located approximately seven miles south of the National Mall, which incorporates the Marine Corps Marathon. 30,000 people are expected to turn out for this year’s race. Starting time is 7:55 a.m.

See road closures for this year, expected to begin at 4 a.m. and end by 1 p.m., below:

Francis Scott Key Bridge

Canal Road, NW – from M Street, NW to Reservoir Road, NW

Reservoir Road, NW –from MacArthur Boulevard, NW to Canal Road, NW

MacArthur Boulevard, NW –from Foxhall Road, NW to Reservoir Road, NW

Foxhall Road, NW – from Canal Road, NW to MacArthur Boulevard, NW

M Street, NW – from Canal Road, NW to Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Wisconsin Avenue, NW – from M Street, NW to K Street, NW

K Street, NW – from Wisconsin Avenue, NW to Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway

Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, NW  – from K Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW

Memorial Bridge

West Potomac Park

East Potomac Park (access to Golf Course and Tennis Courts available)

Maine Avenue, SW – from East Basin Drive, SW to Independence Avenue, SW

Independence Avenue, SW – from Maine Avenue, SW to Ohio Drive, SW

Ohio Drive, SW –between independence Avenue, SW and Lincoln Circle, SW

Lincoln Circle, SW – from Ohio Drive, SW to Henry Bacon Drive, NW

23^rd Street, NW –from Lincoln Circle, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW

Constitution Avenue, NW – from Bacon Drive, NW to 15^th Street, NW

15^th Street – from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW

17^th Street – from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW

Madison Drive, NW – from 15^th Street, NW to 3^rd Street, NW 3^rd Street, NW – from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence, SW

Pennsylvania Avenue, NW – from 3^rd Street, NW to East Capitol Circle, NW

1^st Street – Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Maryland Avenue, SW

Maryland Avenue, SW – from South Capitol Circle, SW to 3^rd Street, SW

Jefferson Drive, SW – from 3^rd Street, SW to 15^th Street, SW

14^th Street, SW – from Jefferson Drive, SW to Northbound HOV lanes

HOV lanes – from 14^th Street, SW to HOV ramp at South Eads Street, NW

Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr Creative Commons