Founders Half Marathon
- Date Sun 13th December 2026
- Time 9:00AM EST
- Location Potomac, Maryland
- Price $11.60
- Races 1 race
- Distances Half Marathon
Event summary
Join us for the Founders Half Marathon on Sunday, December 13, 2026, in the scenic Potomac, Montgomery area! This incredible event boasts the title of the lowest-priced half-marathon in America, yet it promises a full 13.1-mile experience complete with outstanding support and services. As race #2 of the DCRR Snowball Series, this yearβs marathon honors the founding members of the club and will take you on a beautiful out-and-back course along the C&O Canal Towpath.
Participants will enjoy two water stops strategically located at Lock 10 and Lock 6, allowing runners to stay hydrated as they tackle the course. With online registration available until 9:00 AM on December 12, donβt miss your chance to be part of this memorable race! Enjoy a fantastic post-race breakfast and the camaraderie of fellow runners. While there are no t-shirts or medals, the spirit of the event and the thrill of completing the half marathon make it an experience you wonβt forget. Mark your calendars and get ready to run the Founders Half Marathon!
Participants will enjoy two water stops strategically located at Lock 10 and Lock 6, allowing runners to stay hydrated as they tackle the course. With online registration available until 9:00 AM on December 12, donβt miss your chance to be part of this memorable race! Enjoy a fantastic post-race breakfast and the camaraderie of fellow runners. While there are no t-shirts or medals, the spirit of the event and the thrill of completing the half marathon make it an experience you wonβt forget. Mark your calendars and get ready to run the Founders Half Marathon!
Organiser's Description
The lowest-priced half-marathon in America! Still a full 13.1 miles and full-service on quality and support!
This is race #2 of the DCRR Snowball Series [https://dcroadrunners.org/races/snowball-series/]. In past years, it's been the Gar Williams Half Marathon; now it honors all the Club's founders.
Course: Out-and-back along C&O Canal Towpath. Previously-USATF certified course, click here for map [https://certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=l&id=MD09009RT]. We intend to recertify the course before race day, subject to completion of construction in the vicinity of Canal Lock 5. We'll make sure the course is accurately measured to account for the slightly-different path through the construction site if they're still digging.
Water Stops: There will be two water stops: one at Lock 10 and one at Lock 6. These locations correspond to approximately mile 3, 5, 8, and 10 of the race. You will run by each water stop twice.
Registration: Online registration only.
Timing and Results: Timing and results will be compiled on a real-time basis and friends and family will be able to track runners throughout the race via social media.
We will provide a link for live results in our final instructions to runners..
Fees: Online advance registration through 24 hours before the race (9:00 AM on 12/12). After that, late registration will be open until the moment the race begins, at a slightly higher price.
P Advance registration: $0 for DCRRC members, $10 for non-members.
P Late registration: $5 for DCRRC members, $15 for non-members.
Refund policy for Snowball Series: In the event the race is canceled, pre-paid non-members will receive a credit to be applied to a future Snowball Series race.
Location: Carderock Recreation Area (not Park), Carderock, MD.
Raceday Timeline:
7:30 Packet Pickup opens
9:00 Race Start
11:00 Awards
12:00 Course Closes
Amenities and extras: We will have a great breakfast spread post race, including bagels, cream cheese, Nutella, PB&J, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, Gatorade, bananas, and more.
T-shirts and Medals: Come on people, it's a $10 race... No, there are no t-shirts or medals.
Directions: Take the Capital Beltway (I-495), to the Clara Barton Parkway headed west, outside the beltway. Make a right on the first exit which is for both Carderock and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (Carderock Division). Turn left at the stop sign at the top of the ramp to cross the parkway. After passing under the canal, turn right and proceed to the last parking lot. If it's full, park in one of the other lots and walk back to our registration area.
Volunteers: We need many volunteers to help coordinate the race events. Please "pay it forward" by helping if you're not running, or have a friend or relative volunteer. Remember, this counts as your Snowball Series volunteer requirement.
This is race #2 of the DCRR Snowball Series [https://dcroadrunners.org/races/snowball-series/]. In past years, it's been the Gar Williams Half Marathon; now it honors all the Club's founders.
Course: Out-and-back along C&O Canal Towpath. Previously-USATF certified course, click here for map [https://certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=l&id=MD09009RT]. We intend to recertify the course before race day, subject to completion of construction in the vicinity of Canal Lock 5. We'll make sure the course is accurately measured to account for the slightly-different path through the construction site if they're still digging.
Water Stops: There will be two water stops: one at Lock 10 and one at Lock 6. These locations correspond to approximately mile 3, 5, 8, and 10 of the race. You will run by each water stop twice.
Registration: Online registration only.
Timing and Results: Timing and results will be compiled on a real-time basis and friends and family will be able to track runners throughout the race via social media.
We will provide a link for live results in our final instructions to runners..
Fees: Online advance registration through 24 hours before the race (9:00 AM on 12/12). After that, late registration will be open until the moment the race begins, at a slightly higher price.
P Advance registration: $0 for DCRRC members, $10 for non-members.
P Late registration: $5 for DCRRC members, $15 for non-members.
Refund policy for Snowball Series: In the event the race is canceled, pre-paid non-members will receive a credit to be applied to a future Snowball Series race.
Location: Carderock Recreation Area (not Park), Carderock, MD.
Raceday Timeline:
7:30 Packet Pickup opens
9:00 Race Start
11:00 Awards
12:00 Course Closes
Amenities and extras: We will have a great breakfast spread post race, including bagels, cream cheese, Nutella, PB&J, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, Gatorade, bananas, and more.
T-shirts and Medals: Come on people, it's a $10 race... No, there are no t-shirts or medals.
Directions: Take the Capital Beltway (I-495), to the Clara Barton Parkway headed west, outside the beltway. Make a right on the first exit which is for both Carderock and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (Carderock Division). Turn left at the stop sign at the top of the ramp to cross the parkway. After passing under the canal, turn right and proceed to the last parking lot. If it's full, park in one of the other lots and walk back to our registration area.
Volunteers: We need many volunteers to help coordinate the race events. Please "pay it forward" by helping if you're not running, or have a friend or relative volunteer. Remember, this counts as your Snowball Series volunteer requirement.
Races
-
Half Marathon
Incl. $1.60 Fee
Sun 13th December 2026 (9:00AM EST)
$11.60
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North Parking for Carderock Cliffs, Potomac, 20854, MD, United States
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Founders Half Marathon