Washington Birthday Marathon
Encyclopedia
Washington's Birthday Marathon is the eighth oldest marathon
in the United States, founded in 1962.
It is held each year on the Sunday of Presidents Day Weekend and is conducted by the DC Road Runners Club
.
The race was originally held in Arlington, Virginia, but after a few years, it was moved to Beltsville, Maryland
. Finally, it was relocated to Greenbelt, Maryland
. The Greenbelt course started and finished at the recreation center of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
and consisted of three loops around the Beltsville Agricultural Research Farm
. When NASA permanently closed access between the rec center and Good Hope Road, the race start was moved to Duvall High School, and finally to the Greenbelt Youth Center. The race continues to consist of three loops on the farm.
A three-person relay is also held at the same time.
In 2008, 176 runners and 43 relay teams completed the marathon distance.
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
in the United States, founded in 1962.
It is held each year on the Sunday of Presidents Day Weekend and is conducted by the DC Road Runners Club
DC Road Runners Club
The DC Road Runners Club is a non-profit regional group to promote running in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. It is a member of the Road Runners Club of America.DCRRC was founded in 1961 by Hugh Jascourt....
.
The race was originally held in Arlington, Virginia, but after a few years, it was moved to Beltsville, Maryland
Beltsville, Maryland
Beltsville is a census-designated place in northern Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 15,691 at the 2000 census. Beltsville includes the unincorporated community of Vansville.-Geography:...
. Finally, it was relocated to Greenbelt, Maryland
Greenbelt, Maryland
Greenbelt is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. Contained within today's City of Greenbelt is the historic planned community now known locally as "Old Greenbelt" and designated as the Greenbelt Historic District...
. The Greenbelt course started and finished at the recreation center of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Goddard Space Flight Center
The Goddard Space Flight Center is a major NASA space research laboratory established on May 1, 1959 as NASA's first space flight center. GSFC employs approximately 10,000 civil servants and contractors, and is located approximately northeast of Washington, D.C. in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA. GSFC,...
and consisted of three loops around the Beltsville Agricultural Research Farm
Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
The Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, or BARC, is a unit of the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. It is located at in Beltsville, Maryland, and is named for Henry A. Wallace, former United States vice president and secretary of...
. When NASA permanently closed access between the rec center and Good Hope Road, the race start was moved to Duvall High School, and finally to the Greenbelt Youth Center. The race continues to consist of three loops on the farm.
A three-person relay is also held at the same time.
In 2008, 176 runners and 43 relay teams completed the marathon distance.