Metro To Open Two Hours Early For Marine Corps Marathon

WASHINGTON, DC — Metro will open two hours early and add extra trains for riders traveling to the 43rd Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 28. The subway will open at 6 a.m. and will operate additional Yellow and Blue line trains during the day. The marathon — which is expected to draw thousands — will start at 7:45 a.m. for wheelchair and hand cycle participants. Runners will start at 7:55 a.m.

From 6 to 9 a.m., additional Yellow line trains will run between Huntington and Mt Vernon Sq. There will be more Blue line trains operating between Franconia-Springfield and Stadium-Armory from 6 to 9 a.m. and then from 11:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. According to transportation officials, Pentagon Station is the closest to the starting line.

The 26.2-mile course starts on Route 110 between Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon and will take runners through the District. The finish line is located at the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington.

Before you head out on Sunday, check out the WMATA travel tips and service changes below.

Helpful travel tips:

• To avoid crowding at Pentagon Station with riders traveling to the start line, consider using Pentagon City instead.
• Please take note of service changes on the Red Line.
• Metro recommends purchasing a SmarTrip card in advance loaded with enough value for the entire day to avoid long lines. SmarTrip cards can be purchased at fare vending machines located at station entrances.
• Please sign-up for MetroAlerts to receive service updates.

A more detailed look at service changes:

• The closest Metrorail station to the start of the race is Pentagon Station on the Blue and Yellow lines. To accommodate the large crowds expected for the start of the race Pentagon Station will be exit only until 8:30 a.m.
• Arlington Cemetery Station will be closed Sunday until approximately 8:30 a.m.
• Additional Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Mt Vernon Sq from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m.; and additional Blue Line trains will operate between Franconia-Springfield and Stadium-Armory from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. and from 11:15 a.m. until 4:15 p.m.
• The closest Metrorail stations for the start of the MCM 10K on the National Mall are Archives and L'Enfant Plaza.

Metrobus service

• Pentagon Bus Terminal - Due to the event, all Metrobus service that normally operates to/from the Pentagon will be diverted to Pentagon City on Saturday, October 27, until 2:00 p.m. to accommodate the MCM Kids Run and until 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Additional staff will be on hand at Pentagon City Station to assist bus customers.
• Rosslyn Bus Terminal - All Metrobus service will be relocated from the Rosslyn Bus Terminal to Oak Street from 4 a.m. until approximately 6 p.m. to accommodate the MCM Finish Festival.

PHOTOS: Runners pass the US Capitol Building on Capitol Hill during the 2010 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)