Travel and accommodation for DC marathon
Below, is the best-practice suggestions for travel to and from DC marathon for TeamAIDAsha runners. Originally prepared by one of our veteran DC runners (Shannon Bailey), followed by editor notes.
1. Travel Dates
It is recommended that you fly down on Friday before the race and come back on Monday after the race. One of the most important things you need to do in DC besides running the marathon is picking up your bib on Saturday. If there are any travel issues on Saturday e.g., missed/delayed flights, this could affect you picking up your bib, and after the expo closes, you are out of luck and won't even be allowed to run.
Coming back on Monday (late morning or afternoon) is recommended because you will be a bit sluggish and sore after the race, and rushing around anywhere will be an issue. In addition, you will need to figure out checking out/baggage storage and/or taking a shower before going back if you are set on leaving. None of these are impossible issues, but the less stress you have to deal with on Sunday the better.
2. Where to stay?
The marathon actually begins and ends in Arlington, VA near the Pentagon; thus, there are many places you may choose to stay. There are no major issues with staying in VA (Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, or Ballston) vs. Washington DC. Just make sure that wherever you stay, you are pretty close to a Metro Station. One thing you don't want to do is walk two miles to a train station, and more importantly, you don't want two miles back when you return from the marathon. The trains begin operating at 6 AM for the marathon. Just check the transportation directions when you a planning your lodging to see where the nearest train station is and how long it takes to get to the marathon (The Pentagon station on the blue line is where you need to get to). A potential drawback of staying too close to the marathon is the fact that you may have to wait and watch a few trains go past you in the Metro because they will be quite packed on race day morning from all the runners already on the train. Also, read the fine print/reviews for the hotels because some offer MCM perks such as runner's breakfast or making rooms available for showers on Sunday for those that have checked out already.
Ridesharing options like Uber/Lyft may also be good options for race morning ride to the starting point. You must make sure to reserve the ride a day or two before to make sure that you get the ride. Please remember that 100s of 1000s of people will be in town that weekend looking for rides.
Online search tools for accommodation:
3. Which airport?
DC has three airports that you may fly to. To list this in order of convenience: Reagan (DCA) > Thurogood Marshall (BWI). DCA is pretty much in the city and conveniently located near a Metro station. This may be the best option for getting in, out, and around DC, especially if you are flying in/out very early or very late. BWI, although north of the city is also convenient, it is located near a Metro station, which has trains that go directly into Union Station in DC (approx 30 min). This train is ~$5 and is a commuter rail-like train. Notice I didn't mention the third airport IAD (Dulles). This airport does not have train service to DC proper and takes much longer to get to/from on the bus. You may also want to check if your hotel has shuttle service from/to the airport.
Online search tools for flights
4. Cost?
This of course largely depends on where you stay and how you get there. You will significantly save money by rooming with someone else. I booked a hotel for $89/night (Renaissance Washington, DC Dupont Circle), and I know others have stayed in hostels in previous years, which were even cheaper. Flights can go from ~$150-220, depending on when you leave. Just remember that some flights may be cheaper to BWI or IAD at 7 am, but it takes you much longer to get to these airports. Also, fyi, Southwest typically has cheapish flights, but they won't show up in travel search engines i.e., travelocity, orbitz, etc., so you have to check their website directly for their flights. It is also worth looking at the MCM list of hotels and discounts on their website to see if they will save you money. The marathon has deals with different hotels and the airline JetBlue, which may be worth checking out.
5. Other ways to get to DC.
You may also drive or take the train from Boston to DC, but each of these may have drawbacks. I strongly suggest that you don't drive yourself. No one can predict how you will feel after the marathon, but I'm pretty sure you will not be in a condition to drive comfortably. If you really want to take the 7 hour drive, make sure you have someone else willing to do the drive. Again, this is not recommended. In contrast, taking the train is okay, you will just be traveling for a much longer time, and the price might be higher than flying depending on what time you leave. You may find that the 45 min - 1 hr long flight is worth the cost.
6. Pre-race group dinner
Since we will have a group of 20+ runners and their families going to DC for marathon, we will try to organize a pre-race dinner on Saturday, at about 5:30PM at one of the restaurants in DC. Please make sure to keep your calendar open for the group dinner. All friends and family members of the runners and volunteers are welcome to this dinner (normally bill comes to $25-$30 per person).
7. Runner tracking and spectator information
Anyone can track runners online for real-time updates during MCM race. Make sure that your friends and family sign up a few days before the marathon date. For complete details about the Marine Corps Marathon including runner tracking and spectator information, please visit the official website here http://www.marinemarathon.com/
1. Travel Dates
It is recommended that you fly down on Friday before the race and come back on Monday after the race. One of the most important things you need to do in DC besides running the marathon is picking up your bib on Saturday. If there are any travel issues on Saturday e.g., missed/delayed flights, this could affect you picking up your bib, and after the expo closes, you are out of luck and won't even be allowed to run.
Coming back on Monday (late morning or afternoon) is recommended because you will be a bit sluggish and sore after the race, and rushing around anywhere will be an issue. In addition, you will need to figure out checking out/baggage storage and/or taking a shower before going back if you are set on leaving. None of these are impossible issues, but the less stress you have to deal with on Sunday the better.
2. Where to stay?
The marathon actually begins and ends in Arlington, VA near the Pentagon; thus, there are many places you may choose to stay. There are no major issues with staying in VA (Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, or Ballston) vs. Washington DC. Just make sure that wherever you stay, you are pretty close to a Metro Station. One thing you don't want to do is walk two miles to a train station, and more importantly, you don't want two miles back when you return from the marathon. The trains begin operating at 6 AM for the marathon. Just check the transportation directions when you a planning your lodging to see where the nearest train station is and how long it takes to get to the marathon (The Pentagon station on the blue line is where you need to get to). A potential drawback of staying too close to the marathon is the fact that you may have to wait and watch a few trains go past you in the Metro because they will be quite packed on race day morning from all the runners already on the train. Also, read the fine print/reviews for the hotels because some offer MCM perks such as runner's breakfast or making rooms available for showers on Sunday for those that have checked out already.
Ridesharing options like Uber/Lyft may also be good options for race morning ride to the starting point. You must make sure to reserve the ride a day or two before to make sure that you get the ride. Please remember that 100s of 1000s of people will be in town that weekend looking for rides.
Online search tools for accommodation:
3. Which airport?
DC has three airports that you may fly to. To list this in order of convenience: Reagan (DCA) > Thurogood Marshall (BWI). DCA is pretty much in the city and conveniently located near a Metro station. This may be the best option for getting in, out, and around DC, especially if you are flying in/out very early or very late. BWI, although north of the city is also convenient, it is located near a Metro station, which has trains that go directly into Union Station in DC (approx 30 min). This train is ~$5 and is a commuter rail-like train. Notice I didn't mention the third airport IAD (Dulles). This airport does not have train service to DC proper and takes much longer to get to/from on the bus. You may also want to check if your hotel has shuttle service from/to the airport.
Online search tools for flights
4. Cost?
This of course largely depends on where you stay and how you get there. You will significantly save money by rooming with someone else. I booked a hotel for $89/night (Renaissance Washington, DC Dupont Circle), and I know others have stayed in hostels in previous years, which were even cheaper. Flights can go from ~$150-220, depending on when you leave. Just remember that some flights may be cheaper to BWI or IAD at 7 am, but it takes you much longer to get to these airports. Also, fyi, Southwest typically has cheapish flights, but they won't show up in travel search engines i.e., travelocity, orbitz, etc., so you have to check their website directly for their flights. It is also worth looking at the MCM list of hotels and discounts on their website to see if they will save you money. The marathon has deals with different hotels and the airline JetBlue, which may be worth checking out.
5. Other ways to get to DC.
You may also drive or take the train from Boston to DC, but each of these may have drawbacks. I strongly suggest that you don't drive yourself. No one can predict how you will feel after the marathon, but I'm pretty sure you will not be in a condition to drive comfortably. If you really want to take the 7 hour drive, make sure you have someone else willing to do the drive. Again, this is not recommended. In contrast, taking the train is okay, you will just be traveling for a much longer time, and the price might be higher than flying depending on what time you leave. You may find that the 45 min - 1 hr long flight is worth the cost.
6. Pre-race group dinner
Since we will have a group of 20+ runners and their families going to DC for marathon, we will try to organize a pre-race dinner on Saturday, at about 5:30PM at one of the restaurants in DC. Please make sure to keep your calendar open for the group dinner. All friends and family members of the runners and volunteers are welcome to this dinner (normally bill comes to $25-$30 per person).
7. Runner tracking and spectator information
Anyone can track runners online for real-time updates during MCM race. Make sure that your friends and family sign up a few days before the marathon date. For complete details about the Marine Corps Marathon including runner tracking and spectator information, please visit the official website here http://www.marinemarathon.com/
