DC--Marine Corps Marathon spectotor questions

[lishie]

I'm coming down with my family this weekend to watch my sister run her first Marine Corps Marathon. I'll be with, DH, our kids and my parents.

I've got grand dreams of going to the start, heading over to the lincoln memorial and then to the Iwo Jima memorial. Is this unrealistic, especially with my mom, who moves fairly slowly, and two small kids?

If I do it, what are the best ways to get to the metro from one place to the other? I'm guessing walk from the start to the memorial, then walk to the metro to get to Iwo Jima?

[audette]

I would expect supremely high security for the marathon this year. So, if there are any doubts about being able to move around easily, I'd probably err on the side of "it'll take too long".

With the shooting up in Ottawa, security folks are pretty twitchy right now. Particularly about anything military-affiliated.

[lishie]

Oct 24, 2014 7:26:09 GMT -5 audette said:

I would expect supremely high security for the marathon this year. So, if there are any doubts about being able to move around easily, I'd probably err on the side of "it'll take too long".

With the shooting up in Ottawa, security folks are pretty twitchy right now. Particularly about anything military-affiliated.

I didn't even think about that. Usually when I'm with the kids I have a big bag filled with stuff. I'm going to have to find a different strategy for their stuff for Sunday.

[audette]

Oct 24, 2014 7:29:44 GMT -5 lishie said:

Oct 24, 2014 7:26:09 GMT -5 audette said:

I would expect supremely high security for the marathon this year. So, if there are any doubts about being able to move around easily, I'd probably err on the side of "it'll take too long".

With the shooting up in Ottawa, security folks are pretty twitchy right now. Particularly about anything military-affiliated.

I didn't even think about that. Usually when I'm with the kids I have a big bag filled with stuff. I'm going to have to find a different strategy for their stuff for Sunday.

You can probably still take it, but I would expect bag searches to be going on.

[arch01]

Ask on H&F as well, there are a ton of people who have both spectated and run it and may be able to weigh in.

[orangeblossom]

I think the only hard metro will be the one's closest to the finish. It took us over twenty minutes to get from the platform to street at the stop where runners finish.  It is very very crowded filled with families and friends waiting to meet people at the finish.

I like to catch my sister at the Botancial Garden area. I think that's about halfway. It's not too crowded, and you can generally find parking not too far away or get of at Federal Center SW.

I would also check the MCM website. They have really great spectator info. IIRC, in years past they actually have a little kids station, you might be interested in.

Good luck to your sister and have fun!

[y4m]

This would be doable as a healthy young adult, but I think is a stretch with two kids and mom. The walk from the start to Lincoln is maybe 1.5-2 miles, but I think you'll also have to have walked a decent distance to get there from the pentagon metro to start with. Even if you metro back to Rosslyn for Iwo Jima, I think Lincoln to the closest metro is another mile.

[MDmomof2]

I just spectated (is that a verb?) at the Baltimore marathon this past weekend and they had a no bag policy along the race route. Now, that's unrealistic to enforce, but they enforced it VERY HEAVILY in the runner's village. You could get into the runner's meet-up area without going through bag check.

I'd check their website and DC maps to determine what you can bring with you and what you can see in between. The nice thing about DC is that there's plenty of walking to do and lunch to be eaten while your sister runs. Even so, you might consider just getting there for the finish if you've got small kids and a slow adult. I did that this year with just me and a 7 year old!

[lishie]

Thank you!!

[mrshandy]

Personally I would avoid the start. It will be crazy, cold, and difficult to get around. Walking from the start to the Lincoln Memorial is far and might be difficult for people that are not used to walking long distances.

I would just take the Metro to the Mall and get off at Smithsonian. Lots of viewing places and this. Sign up for runner tracking so you know where your sister is along the course.

The finish line is a little ways from Rosslyn metro and there are some hills in that neighborhood which could be challenging for older people. I have no idea what the security regulations are, but the website should have lots of info. The metro should be ok getting into Rosslyn, it's getting out that is TERRIBLE especially for kids. A couple of years ago, H met me in Rosslyn with DS after I ran it. We ended up taking a cab back to our car since the Metro was just INSANE and impossible with people headed out.

If you're not wedded to the finish line, but want somewhere else to see your sister. You should consider Crystal City. It's near the end so you could give her that last boost and there is going to be a little festival with activities for the kids.

I'm spectating and I'm just planning on staying in Crystal City the whole time. We're parking in Pentagon City and taking the metro there.

I think Smithsonian + Crystal City/Rosslyn would be a good combo with less walking and craziness. 

Have fun!