Marine Corps Marathon Weekend is just around the corner. The 26.2-mile race is celebrated as the “People's Marathon,” honoring all who fight and represent our country during one of the world's largest marathons through Arlington, Virginia and Washington, DC

With 49 years of experience, the organizers are taking this event to the next level. Runners will have two beautiful monuments added along their path.

In addition to the main event, the weekend also features several races, events and festivities for all ages. Whether you're taking part in a race or cheering on the competitors, read on to find out everything you need to know.

MCM weekend race 2024

Saturday, Oct. 26:

• MCM children's run: This one-mile fun run takes place on Saturday for children ages 5 to 12. have families Eight start time options between 9:20 a.m. and 11:40 a.m This event also features family-friendly games, entertainment and mascots. Registration costs $15.

Sunday, Oct. 27:

• MCM 50K: This ultramarathon starts at 7:15 am on Sunday and runs the entire MCM course with a 4.87-mile detour at mile 4.5. It is “the largest ultramarathon in the country and the only one to be held entirely in an urban environment,” say planners.
• MCM 10K: This 6.2 mile journey begins at 7:50am on Sunday on the National Mall. Participants must be at least 10 years old.
• MCM wheels: This event starts at 7:50am on Sunday, October 27 along Route 110 in Arlington, Virginia.
• MCM duos: This event starts at 7:52 am along Route 110 in Arlington.
• Marine Corps Marathon: The sound of the howitzer will herald the main run 7:55 am Runners traverse a historic and scenic course that ends at the Marine Corps War Memorial Circle.

The full schedule for the entire 2024 MCM weekend can be found here.

MCM's Health & Fitness Expo takes place Friday and Saturday at Gaylord National Harbor. News4's Aimee Cho reports.

Events not running on the MCM weekend 2024:

Friday, October 25th:

• The MCM Health and Fitness Fair will be held on both Friday and Saturday at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, where runners can pick up their race packages. You can also taste delicious, nutritious food, test new technology, train with the latest workout gear, and discover post-run recovery products. Friday opening hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m
• The MCM Hall of Fame Friday's dinner will be at the Doubletree by Hilton Washington DC-Crystal City in Arlington at 6 p.m. This event honors new inductees into the MCM Hall of Fame.

Saturday, Oct. 26:

• The MCM Health and Fitness Fair takes place on both Friday and Saturday. (See above for details.) Saturday hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m
• A Mission Ready lunch ($65) offers families and participants a delicious and filling meal to refuel on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Maryland Ballroom at Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland

A Marine Corps veteran is training for her 10th marathon while giving back to the community. News4's Aimee Cho spoke with her.

Sunday, Oct. 27:

• Come celebrate The Finish Festivaljust a short walk from the MCM finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington's Rosslyn neighborhood. The celebration from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. will include food, beer, music and post-race services, as well as live music on the Arlington stage. You can visit booths and find giveaways along N. Meade and N. Lynn streets, Fort Myer and Fairfax streets, and Wilson Boulevard.

What is the route plan for the 2024 Marine Corps Marathon?

The marathon includes runners from near the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. to Washington, DC to drive along the National Mall and past the monuments. Participants then return across the Potomac River, ending at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn.

You can find more tickets for the MCM weekend here.

How to get around on the MCM weekend using the subway and free shuttles or car

How to get to the Marine Corps Marathon start line:

The starting line this year will be 300 meters closer to Runners Village, in the Pentagon's north parking lot.

Subway service begins at 5 a.m. on Sunday, October 27 (except Arlington Cemetery station, which does not open until 8:30 a.m.).

Pentagon subway station (blue and yellow lines) is the closest option to Runners Village.

However, if you're concerned about crowds, you can also get off at the Crystal City or Pentagon City stops (both of which are on the Blue and Yellow Lines in Arlington) and walk a short distance to the free MCM shuttle. The shuttles will follow a route from 23rd Street and Crystal Drive in Crystal City to Runners Village in the Pentagon North parking lot from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m

Getting to the trade fair at Gaylord National:

Take the subway to Eisenhower Avenue (yellow line) and hop on the free shuttle to National Harbor. Shuttles operate Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can also take the NH1 or NH2 metrobus lines. These buses travel from King Street in Alexandria, Virginia to St. George Boulevard at Waterfront Street in National Harbor, Maryland.

Arrival by car:

Planners encourage runners arriving by vehicle to use MCM shuttle services or the Kiss and Run drop-off location near the Fashion Center mall in Pentagon City.

There are three designated drop-off and pick-up points for drop-offs and ride-sharing:

• Morning events: 1100-1200 block of S. Hayes Street, Pentagon City area (Arlington)
• Afternoon events: 1900 block of N. Lynn Street, Rosslyn area (Arlington)
• Finish Festival: 1900 block of N. Lynn Street, Rosslyn area (Arlington)

How to get to the MCM 10K:

MCM organizers recommend taking the subway to Archives–Navy Memorial Penn Quarter (yellow and green lines). Other options include L'Enfant Plaza (Yellow, Green, Blue and Orange lines) or Smithsonian Station (Blue and Orange lines).

Arrival to the MCM Kids Run:

Take the subway to Pentagon Station (blue and yellow lines); Then take the free shuttle to the start line.

Arrival to the Finish Festival:

All festival attendees are asked to take the subway to the Rosslyn station (blue, orange and silver lines) or walk to the finish line at the Marine Corps Memorial.

Where to Watch the Marine Corps Marathon Runners:

Do you want to celebrate your friends and family? Bring some signs to places along the course where spectators can see their runners, both in Arlington and DC

Best spots for spectators (and how to get to them):

• If you would like to watch the opening ceremony at the MCM starting line On Route 110 in Arlington: Take the subway to Rosslyn (Orange, Blue, Silver lines) or the Pentagon stop (Blue and Yellow lines).
• Miles 10 and 16: After the start, you can walk across the Arlington Memorial Bridge to the Lincoln Memorial in DC to see runners at mile 10 and later at mile 16.
• Miles 17-19: To see the runners at miles 17-19, head east from the Lincoln Memorial along Independence Avenue, past the Washington Monument on the National Mall.
• Finish line: To get to the finish line, take the subway to Rosslyn station (if coming from the National Mall, get on at Smithsonian station). Alternatively, you can take the MCM shuttle from 23rd Street in Crystal City. At the finish line there are seats available in the stands from which you can watch the runners make the final climb and the rush to the finish.
• Another option: The Arlington Cemetery subway station (blue line) opens at 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the event and is just a short walk from mile 25 of the MCM course, mile 5 of the MCM10K course and the finish line.

Viewers should keep this in mind never to cross the route and avoid closed areas.

Find “your” runner:

• Want to track your runner? The MCM app and website provide real-time tracking. Virtual status reports provide updates for one or more runners from different locations and the finish line.
• After the race, plan to meet up with the runners in the family meeting area at the Finish Festival in Rosslyn.

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

What is the weather forecast for the Marine Corps Marathon?

Perfect running weather is expected in the DC area with temperatures in the 60s. Runners and observers on the sidelines should prepare for a chilly Sunday morning with temperatures in the high 40s, Storm Team4 said.

Runners: Remember to stay hydrated in the coming days.

Download the NBC Washington app and stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecasts.

What else should MCM runners know?

You will find an interactive version of the course schedule; pace requirements; water, food and relief sites; Entertainment channels and accommodation information can be found online here.

Road closures at the Marine Corps Marathon

Plan accordingly to get to the event. Numerous road closures will take place from early morning until late Sunday evening, with at least one closure on Saturday. All road closures can be found here.