Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 National Women's Half Marathon & 8K

The National Women's Half Marathon and 8K is back on Sunday, May 3, starting at 7:00 a.m. for the half marathon and 7:20 a.m. for the 8K, both out of West Potomac Park.

The course takes runners past the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the WWII Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial. It is flat in stretches but has rolling hills throughout. If you ran this race in previous years, note that the course has been updated, specifically miles 6 through 11, so do not expect the same route.

The half marathon has a 4-hour time limit. All half marathon runners must clear the start timing mat by approximately 7:10 a.m. to allow the 8K field to move into position.

Packet Pickup

There are two packet pickup windows before race day. On Friday, May 1, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., head to Potomac River Running in Ballston Quarter in Arlington. On Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., pickup moves to Potomac River Running in Vienna, at 111 Maple Ave. W.

Race management will email your QR code Friday morning. Have it ready on your phone when you arrive. You do not need to print anything, and you can pick up a bib on behalf of another runner if needed.

Sunday morning pickup at West Potomac Park runs from 5:45 to 6:30 a.m. and is limited to athletes who made special arrangements in advance.

Getting to the Race

Rideshare or biking are your best options. Metro does not open until 8:00 a.m. on Sundays, and parking in West Potomac Park is extremely limited. Get dropped off at the Lincoln Memorial and walk the three blocks to the start along the Potomac. Road closures begin at 6:00 a.m. sharp.

Gear check opens before 6:45 a.m. You will receive a gear bag at packet pickup. To retrieve your bag after the race, keep your bib on.

Race Day Logistics

The half marathon uses five wave starts. The 8K uses three. Runners self-seed along Ohio Drive according to estimated finish time, and pacers will be stationed in each corral with large pace signs to help you find your group. The 2026 pace groups for the half marathon run from 1:45 through 3:00, with groups at 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:05, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:40, 2:50, and 3:00. The pacers are women drawn from more than 11 DMV run clubs. Give them a shout when you see them out there.

Water stations with water, Gatorade, and ice are positioned every two miles along both courses. Portable restrooms are at each station. DC EMS will be at two points on the half marathon course and at the finish line.