The 2013 Marine Corps Marathon kicks off Oct, 27, celebrating nearly four decades of growth that has led the marathon to be the third largest in the country.
The "People's Marathon," as the race is nicknamed, has the maximum 30,000 runners signed up. This year's marathon sold out in a record 2 hours, 27 minutes in March.
The 26.2-mile course passes the Washington Monument, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials as well as the Pentagon.
Those memorials are closed now due to the government shutdown, and preparations for the Marathon have had to continue even with some partner agencies on furlough. However, race organizers said they are continuing with their planning for the marathon and the weekend of associated events.
Those events include the Healthy Kids Fun Run on Oct. 26. There's also a 10K race in which runners parallel the marathoners for part of the course.
For complete information on the 2013, Marine Corps Marathon, visit the marathon's web site.
