"We are taking great care to provide a special experience for each participant." Keith Dowling, Race Director

Dowling is working to ensure that the National Marathon is a "runners race." Dowling brings experience and knowledge to the National Marathon as an elite level runner. He ran his career best 2:13:28 to be first American to cross the finish line at the 2002 Boston Marathon. Later that year, he ran 2:14:22 for 14th in Chicago.

National Marathon
With the sun rising over RFK and the Cherry Blossoms set to bloom this will be the most beautiful marathon and half marathon in the country! The National Marathon is a 26.2-mile community celebration that will appeal to adults and children; its course will give local residents and springtime spectators a front row seat to this national sporting event.

Depending on the distance they choose, race participants can look forward to 13.1 or 26.2 miles of roadways and parklands through Washington, DC and Prince George's County. Both events will start at RFK Stadium and tour our country's most famous landmarks, monuments and memorials along the National Mall, Capitol Hill, and the DC Waterfront. Runners will be welcomed in neighborhoods in the District and suburban Prince George's County including the Navy Yard, Anacostia, Fort Dupont, Boulevard Heights, District Heights, and Seat Pleasant. Some parts of the course are flat and fast, other parts are hilly and challenging -- a good training run before the Boston Marathon.

We are expecting 2000 people from around the region and the world. In addition, some of the area's fastest elite marathoners will be participating in hopes of an Olympic Trials qualifying standard. More than 70% of runners call DC/MD/VA region home. The race offers prizes for top finishers in a dozen plus categories. For a course map or to register, please visit the web site. Registration is open until 3/23/06.

Starting Line Ceremonies begin at 6:40 AM on March 25 from Parking Lot 7 of RFK Stadium, and continue until the official start sounds at 6:58 AM. With elite runners approaching Olympic qualifier times of 2 hours and 20 minutes for the marathon, the first half-marathoners are expected to cross the finish line just after 8:00 AM, and those running the full 26.2 miles should start to cross after 9:00 AM. The Finish Line Festival continues as runners continue to complete the course during the five hours it is open - the final runners are expected to arrive at the RFK finish line around 1:30 PM. A Family Fun Zone suitable for children will include activities presented by area sports teams Washington Capitals, Washington Nationals, and D.C. United.

Want a front-row seat to watch the race and cheer on almost 2,000 runners? Information on race route, road closures and a Spectator's Guide will be available at www.nationalmarathon.com. RFK Stadium is easily accessible by car. Free parking is provided for runners and spectators on race day. RFK is also available by Metrobus, and Metrorail using the Stadium/Armory station on the Blue/Orange Line. [Please note that Metrorail does not open in time for the start of the race.] RFK Stadium is located at 2400 East Capitol Street, S.E., Washington, DC 20003.

Interested in volunteering on race day? It will take more than 600 volunteers to make this race happen. Volunteers from the Youth Investment Partners of the Greater Washington Sports Alliance, and many other civic and neighborhood groups are manning Spirit Stations and water stations. More volunteers are needed as course marshals directing runners, handing out water to runners as they pass by, and helping out at the Finish Line Festival after the race. Most importantly, we need people along the route cheering the runners toward the finish line.

Please e- mail.

The National Marathon being presented by Pricewaterhouse Coopers. NBC4 is also an official partner and will televise the start of the race and continue coverage throughout the race. Sponsors include Goodwill of Greater Washington, Interstate Worldwide Relocation, Virginia Hospital Center, The Washington Times, Michelob Ultra/Michelob Ultra Amber, Pacers/Charm City, Drink More Water, Gatorade, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, CB Richard Ellis, American Red Cross of National Capital Area, Leukemia and Lymphoma Team in Training, and the DC Sports and Entertainment Commission.

The National Marathon is produced by The Greater Washington Sports Alliance. Greater Washington Sports Alliance was established in 2003. The Sports Alliance's mission is to promote existing amateur teams and professional franchises; initiate and support efforts to attract sporting events to Greater Washington; connect the business community to the region's sports assets; brand Greater Washington as a sports town; and support youth investment organizations that use sports to build character, encourage leadership and enhance education