From a marathon course that takes you past the sites of Washington, D.C., to a 10-miler on a Florida space station, learn more about these military marathons and military races.

(The Marine Corps Marathon is featured in the image above; photo courtesy of Communication Strategy & Operations, MCINCR – MCB Quantico)

The annual military marathons and military races across the U.S. commemorate our country’s branches of service, honor both serving and retired military members, and remember those we’ve lost. But these events aren’t just for military-affiliated runners — they offer unique opportunities for all participants to engage in a shared camaraderie and race military-inspired courses.

The Army Ten-Miler and Marine Corps Marathon take runners along routes that pass by some of the most notable sites in Washington, D.C. Other events on the list run through military installations, such as the Marine Corps Half Marathon on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The Space Force T-Minus 10-Miler runs through Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and the Quantico 12K tours the USMC Officer Candidates School in Virginia.

If you’re looking for a Boston Marathon-qualifying race, the Marine Corps Marathon, the Air Force Marathon in Ohio, and the Coast Guard Marathon in North Carolina are great options. Unique military race distances include the Marine Corps 17.75K, commemorating the year the U.S. Marine Corps was established, and the Navy Ten Nautical Miler — both are just over 11 miles.

New in 2024 is the Armed Forces Series Challenge! Runners receive an exclusive medal for completing the following in-person races during 2024 or across multiple years: Air Force Marathon, Army Ten-Miler, Marine Corps Marathon, Space Force T-Minus 10-Miler, and the Coast Guard Marathon.

Check out the military marathons and military races below for more details.

• Marine Corps 17.75K
• Coast Guard Marathon
• Marine Corps Historic Half
• Quantico 12K
• Marine Corps Half Marathon
• Air Force Marathon
• Navy Ten Nautical Miler (NAVY10NM)
• Army Ten-Miler
• Marine Corps Marathon
• Space Force T-Minus 10-Miler

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Marine Corps 17.75K

March | Dumfries, Virginia | 17.75K
Commemorating the year the U.S. Marine Corps was established, this 17.75K race — 11.03 miles — takes runners over rolling hills inside Prince William Forest Park, located down the street from Marine Corps Base Quantico. Expect a mix of paved roads and dirt trails along this forested course. This race is part of the Marine Corps Marathon race series, and finishers 14 and older get a guaranteed spot in the Marine Corps Marathon. After the race, check out the breweries and wineries in nearby Stafford or head up north to explore the sites of Washington D.C.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 57 degrees; low of 39 degrees; average of 48 degrees
• Link to Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: Runners must maintain an average pace of 20 minutes per mile
• Race Swag: Tech T-shirt, finisher’s medal
• Military Discount: Discounted registration option for active duty military
• Distance from Airport: 45-minute drive from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; 60-minute drive from Dulles International Airport

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Coast Guard Marathon

April | Elizabeth City, North Carolina | Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K
The half and full marathons start and finish in downtown Elizabeth City and run along the waterfront before touring the U.S. Coast Guard Base. On base, you’ll run past a WWII airship hanger and briefly onto a runway. Pass by Elizabeth City State University before reaching the finish line. The full marathon is a flat USATF-certified, Boston-qualifying course, ranking the fastest in the state of North Carolina. If you’re up for a challenge, run the 5K and either the half or full marathon to receive the Semper Paratus Challenge coin.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 71 degrees; low of 49 degrees; average of 60 degrees
• Link to Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 7 hours (marathon); 3.5 hours (half marathon); 1 hour (5K)
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal, commemorative patch (marathon only)
• Military Discount: Discount code available for active duty and retired military
• Distance from Airport: 60-minute drive from Norfolk International Airport

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Marine Corps Historic Half

May | Fredericksburg, Virginia | Half Marathon
This half marathon takes runners through historic downtown Fredericksburg, a town known for its colonial history and Civil War battlefields. Part of the course runs along the Rappahannock River, and there’s a wear blue run to remember mile along the Oak Mill Park canal path to honor fallen service members. Around mile 10, you’re in for a challenge — 2 miles of uphill including the steep half-mile Hospital Hill. After you cross the finish line, you’ll receive your finisher’s medal from U.S. Marine Corps members. Then head over to the after-party and beer garden. The Marine Corps Historic Half is part of the Marine Corps Marathon race series.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 76 degrees; low of 53 degrees; average of 65 degrees
• Link to Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 4 hours
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal
• Military Discount: Discounted registration option for active duty military
• Distance from Airport: 50-minute drive from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; 70-minute drive from Dulles International Airport

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Quantico 12K

August | Stafford, Virginia | 12K
The Quantico 12K is a unique opportunity to run through the USMC Officer Candidates School (OCS), where prospective officers go through rigorous training. The 7.46-mile course is a mix of paved roads and gravel paths, and the event is part of the Marine Corps Marathon race series. Consider spending a day before or after the race exploring the breweries and wineries nearby or the trails in Prince William Forest Park.

Note: All participants who do not have a DoD-issued ID card must register in advance with the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) and pick up a 30-day visitor’s pass at the Visitor Control Center before race day.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 87 degrees; low of 66 degrees; average of 76 degrees
• Link to Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: Runners must keep a pace of 20 minutes per mile
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal
• Military Discount: Discounted registration option for active duty military
• Distance from Airport: 35-minute drive from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; 60-minute drive from Dulles International Airport

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Marine Corps Half Marathon

September | Jacksonville, North Carolina | Half Marathon
The Marine Corps Half Marathon takes place on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The flat and fast course has views of Morgan Bay and Farnell Bay. You’ll also run the Paradise Point Golf Course fairways and along the Heroes Mile, which honors fallen service members. After crossing the finish line, you’ll receive your medal from in-uniform U.S. Marine Corps members. If you have an extra day before or after your race, spend an afternoon on one of the nearby beaches — Onslow is a 10-minute drive from the base, and Emerald Isle and Topsail are just over an hour away.

Note: All runners without DoD ID cards must submit a request for base access (which includes a background check) 30 days in advance.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 84 degrees; low of 64 degrees; average of 74 degrees
• Time Limit: 4 hours
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal
• Distance from Airport: 1.5-hour drive from Wilmington International Airport; 2.5-hour drive from Raleigh-Durham International Airport

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Air Force Marathon

September | Dayton, Ohio | Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
The Air Force Marathon’s half, full, and 10K courses start and finish at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The full marathon is a Boston-qualifying race. From the start, you’ll run uphill for a stretch before dropping back down for 17 miles of flat and fast road running, which includes a lap on the flight line. Both the half and full marathon courses run through Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. If your legs can handle it, consider signing up for the “Fly! Fight! Win! Challenge” to run the 5K, 10K, and either the half marathon or full marathon. You’ll receive an additional Challenge medal for completing all three distances. There’s an optional pasta dinner the Friday evening before race weekend at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 79 degrees; low of 57 degrees; average of 68 degrees
• Link to Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 6:30 (half and full marathons), 3:30 (10K), 1:30 (5K)
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal, commemorative patch, a post-race beer (for participants 21+)
• Military Discount: Discounted registration is applied for active duty and retired military (including reservists, National Guard, and ROTC)
• Distance from Airport: 75-minute drive from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

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Navy Ten Nautical Miler (NAVY10NM)

September | Millington, Tennessee | 10NM, 5NM
The NAVY10NM is said to be the first running race measured in nautical miles officially sanctioned by track and field’s U.S. governing bodies. Ten nautical miles is the distance between a ship and the horizon line, and it is equivalent to 11.5 miles. Five nautical miles is 5.75 miles. Expect a flyover at the start line and a route that takes you through a Naval installation. Stick around for music, food, and drinks at the after-party, and consider joining the optional pasta dinner the evening before the race. Before heading home, spend a day or two exploring nearby Memphis.

Note: The 2024 NAVY10NM race was held in June; the 2025 race date is scheduled for September.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 89 degrees; low of 70 degrees; average of 80 degrees
• Link to Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 4 hours (10NM), 2 hours (5NM)
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal, souvenir towel
• Military Discount: Discounted registration option for active duty military
• Distance from Airport: 40-minute drive from Memphis International Airport

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Army Ten-Miler

October | Washington, D.C. | 10-Miler
The Army Ten-Miler began in 1985 and attracts more than 35,000 runners annually. This race starts and finishes near the Pentagon and runs past Washington D.C.’s historic sites including Arlington National Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the National Mall, and Jefferson Memorial. The race expo is held at the DC Armory where you’ll see helicopter static displays while picking up your bib and shirt. Consider buying a ticket for the pasta dinner the evening before the race, featuring entertainment by the U.S. Army Downrange band.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 69 degrees; low of 52 degrees; average of 61 degrees
• Link to Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 2:30 from the start of the last wave
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s coin medal
• Discount Code: Save $5 on your in-person race registration with discount code RACEATM
• Distance from Airport: 5-minute drive from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; 35-minute drive from Dulles International Airport

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Marine Corps Marathon

October | Arlington, Virginia | Marathon, 50K, 10K
The Marine Corps Marathon is commonly referred to as the “The People’s Marathon.” It’s a great race for beginners, and it’s also a Boston-qualifier. A flyover, parachute landing, and the National Anthem set the patriotic mood for the day. The marathon and 50K courses start and end in Arlington and take runners across the river to Washington D.C.’s most well-known sites. Run through Georgetown, past Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial, along Independence Avenue and the National Mall, and around the Capitol Reflecting Pool and East Potomac Park. Expect musical entertainment every few miles of the course. Mile 12 is the wear blue mile which honors fallen service members. The Marine Corps Marathon is part of the Marine Corps Marathon race series.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 69 degrees; low of 52 degrees; average of 61 degrees
• Link to Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: Not specified; check course gauntlets details
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal
• Military Discount: Discounted registration option for active duty military members
• Special Notes: Faster runners with qualifying times can register for the Seeded Runner Program, which features dedicated toilets and start line access
• Distance from Airport: 5-minute drive from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; 35-minute drive from Dulles International Airport

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Space Force T-Minus 10-Miler

December | Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida | 10 Miles
New to the branches of the U.S. military, the Space Force hosts a flat and fast 10-miler located just outside of Orlando, Florida. The point-to-point course runs two causeways and through Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. You’ll pass sites of interest in U.S. space history including the Apollo 1 Memorial, the launch site for Apollo 7, and the Mercury 7 Monument. Finish-line festivities include free admission to the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Museum. The race highlights a rocket each year, with 2024 commemorating the Atlas Rocket.

Note: Runners gain base access authorization for the race when they receive their parking pass.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 74 degrees; low of 53 degrees; average of 63 degrees (Orlando-area averages)
• Link to Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 3 hours
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal, commemorative patches
• Military Discount: Discounted registration option for active duty military
• Distance from Airport: 45-minute drive from Orlando International Airport

*Average Race Month Weather is based on the National Weather Service’s historical data.

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Looking for more destination races to add to your calendar? Find them here!

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