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.
Breaking news – MCM announces Expo and headquarters hotel will move to @GaylordNational at @NationalHarbor in 2016!! — Marine Marathon (@Marine_Marathon) October 23, 2015
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.
@Marine_Marathon @GaylordNational @NationalHarbor That’s awful. Inconvenient, difficult access and ridiculous.
— Jay (@bostonjay22201) October 23, 2015
@katekirk people walking all over downtown with their @Marine_Marathon packets today. Next year we’ll all be stuck in shuttles in traffic.
— Teresa A (@ilovejojoandmat) October 23, 2015
@Marine_Marathon Hmm. No Metro access there… May be an issue.
— Rich Nicorvo (@RichNicorvoCEM) October 23, 2015
@Marine_Marathon @GaylordNational @NationalHarbor Ugh! What an inconvenience!! How will I get there?
— Andy DeSoto (@kadesoto) October 23, 2015
@whoknowscolleen @Marine_Marathon @GaylordNational @NationalHarbor How so? no metro, battle traffic to get there.
— David Sousa (@TheSous) October 23, 2015
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
23rd Street, NW –from Lincoln Circle, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
Constitution Avenue, NW – from Bacon Drive, NW to 15th Street, NW
15th Street – from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
17th Street – from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
Madison Drive, NW – from 15th Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW 3rd Street, NW – from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence, SW
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW – from 3rd Street, NW to East Capitol Circle, NW
1st Street – Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Maryland Avenue, SW
Maryland Avenue, SW – from South Capitol Circle, SW to 3rd Street, SW
Jefferson Drive, SW – from 3rd Street, SW to 15th Street, SW
14th Street, SW – from Jefferson Drive, SW to Northbound HOV lanes
HOV lanes – from 14th Street, SW to HOV ramp at South Eads Street, NW
Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr Creative Commons