Even as a startup race way back in 1976, the Marine Corps Marathon was an instant hit — and has only continued to grow and expand in popularity a half-century later.
In that initial year the race attracted a bit more than 1,100 runners, an impressive number for an upstart event. Today the participation total has swelled to between 35,000 to 40,000 each year, making it the third largest marathon in the U.S., and the largest race in the world that does not offer prize money.
A number of college cross-country teams in the metro area enjoyed success in their opening meets of the fall season.
The University of Maryland women’s squad dominated and won the 11-team University of Delaware Invitational with a low of 22 points. Host Delaware was second with 35.
Course: A scenic out-and-back fall 5K route along Beach Drive.
The Experience: Join us for a premier morning of racing featuring chipped timing, custom finisher medals, high-quality tech tees, and hassle-free packet pickup at Potomac River Running's Ballston store.
U.S. Navy Capt. Vince Libasci and 50 sailors from the USS Arlington (LPD-24) traveled to the ship’s namesake community on Sept. 5 to visit the Pentagon Memorial and participate in the annual Arlington Police, Fire, Sheriff & ECC 9/11 Memorial 5K Run.
At the race, Capt. Libasci — the ship’s 10th commanding officer — and the sailors of the USS Arlington were recognized. Crew members not only ran the race but also participated in the joint Honor Guard and awarded finishing medals to runners.
What began with a modest number of participants 13 years ago swelled to more than 150 entries in this summer’s Arlington Triathlon.
The event is for youth participants ages 7 to 15. The triathlon begins with a swim in the Washington-Liberty High School aquatics center, followed by a flat bike ride on a closed loop course and finishes with a run on some streets near the school but mostly on the outdoor W-L track.
The fall high school cross-country season got an early and busy start in recent days, with meets held throughout the metro area.
Contests were held from Leesburg to Alexandria from Aug. 26-29.
Having won six straight conference championships, the Georgetown University Hoyas are regarded as the top college women’s cross-country team in the D.C. area, as well as one of the best in the country.
The Hoyas are projected to be ranked nationally among the top 25 in an upcoming Division I preseason NCAA poll.
As consecutive conference champions, the past two seasons were the most successful in the 16-year history of the Marymount University Saints women’s cross-country team.
Marymount comfortably won back-to-back Atlantic East Conference crowns in 2025 and 2024 by margins of 30 and 21 points, respectively. The league titles were the first in history for the Division III program.