Founders Half Marathon
- Date Sun 14th December 2025
- Time 9:00AM EST
- Location Potomac, Maryland
- Price $11.60
- Races 1 race
- Distances Half Marathon
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating running experience at the Founders Half Marathon on Sunday, December 14, 2025, held at the stunning Carderock Recreation Area in Potomac, Montgomery! This event is celebrated as the lowest-priced half marathon in America, featuring a full 13.1 miles of scenic beauty along the historic C&O Canal Towpath. As the second race in the DCRR Snowball Series, this half marathon honors the founders of the club and promises exceptional race support with two water stops at key points along the route.
Participants can enjoy a well-organized race day starting at 9:00 AM, with packet pickup opening at 7:30 AM. Runners will have the chance to track their progress in real-time, making it easy for friends and family to cheer them on from afar. After crossing the finish line, indulge in a delightful post-race breakfast spread that includes bagels, Nutella, bananas, and hot beverages. Please note, this budget-friendly race is a no-frills event—no t-shirts or medals, just a fantastic experience! Register online before 8 PM on December 13, and join in on the fun at this unique running celebration.
Participants can enjoy a well-organized race day starting at 9:00 AM, with packet pickup opening at 7:30 AM. Runners will have the chance to track their progress in real-time, making it easy for friends and family to cheer them on from afar. After crossing the finish line, indulge in a delightful post-race breakfast spread that includes bagels, Nutella, bananas, and hot beverages. Please note, this budget-friendly race is a no-frills event—no t-shirts or medals, just a fantastic experience! Register online before 8 PM on December 13, and join in on the fun at this unique running celebration.
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://www.dcroadrunners.org/races/race-rules.html]. 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 had intended to recertify the course before race day, but ongoing construction in the vicinity of Canal Lock 5 is preventing that. We'll make sure the course is actually measured to account for the slightly-different path through the construction site.
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 8 PM the evening before the race (12/13). Note: we are not accepting late registrations after that deadline; we are not accepting walk-up, day-of-race registrations.
$0 for club members
$10 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://www.dcroadrunners.org/races/race-rules.html]. 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 had intended to recertify the course before race day, but ongoing construction in the vicinity of Canal Lock 5 is preventing that. We'll make sure the course is actually measured to account for the slightly-different path through the construction site.
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 8 PM the evening before the race (12/13). Note: we are not accepting late registrations after that deadline; we are not accepting walk-up, day-of-race registrations.
$0 for club members
$10 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 14th December 2025 (9:00AM EST)
$11.60
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Location
North Parking for Carderock Cliffs, Potomac, 20854, MD, United States
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Founders Half Marathon
