Saturday, November 21, 2026 · Great Falls Tavern, Potomac, MD
The C&O Canal towpath, the loudest stretch of the Potomac, and donuts at the finish.
For years runners have asked us for a race out of Great Falls, and the answer was always the same: it's a National Park, the towpath is narrow, and permits there don't come easy. This year it came.
The Great Falls Half starts beside Lock 20 at Great Falls Tavern, runs downstream along the canal past Widewater, Old Angler's Inn and Carderock, turns around, and brings you home to the sound of the falls. It's a small, capped field in late November, when the leaves are down and you can finally see the river through the trees. When the spots are gone, they're gone.
THE DISTANCES
Everyone starts and finishes at Great Falls Tavern.
Half Marathon, 12:00 PM. For the ones deep in fall training. A flat, honest 13.1 past Widewater, Old Angler's and Carderock.
10K, 12:30 PM. Out past Old Angler's Inn and back. Long enough to earn the day, short enough to enjoy the overlook afterward.
5K, 1:00 PM. Bring your family. Bring someone who's never raced. Walk it if you like.
The starts are staggered so everyone finishes together. The finish line closes at 3:00 PM.
THE COURSE
The towpath was built for mules pulling canal boats, which means it was built to be flat. The surface is crushed stone and packed dirt, with the canal on one side and the Potomac on the other. You'll drop gently past the old locks heading downstream and gain it back just as gently on the return.
Every runner is tracked live on Geo.Racing, so your people can follow you down the towpath and be at the line when you finish.
(Live tracking: https://geo.racing/great-falls-half-2026)
THE FINISH LINE
Donuts and pizza, both made from scratch. Not a box of grocery-store bagels: we make it ourselves, and there's plenty for the family you bring along.
Then walk the boardwalk out to the Great Falls Overlook and watch the whole Potomac squeeze into Mather Gorge.
WHAT YOU GET
A race shirt
A finisher medal
Scratch-made donuts and pizza at the finish
Chip timing and results
Aid stations on the towpath
Live tracking on Geo.Racing
Awards for the top three men and women in each distance
Register early if you care about your shirt size. We can't guarantee sizes for late registrations.
RUN BOTH, RUN A MARATHON
Run the Laufvergnügen half on October 24 and the Great Falls half on November 21, and you've run 26.2 miles on the Potomac this fall.
WAYS TO SAVE
Bring a volunteer, get half back. Recruit a friend to work the race and we'll refund half your registration afterward. They do have to show up.
Bring five friends, run free. If five people register through your personal referral link, we refund your entry. Your link is in your RunSignUp account.
REGISTRATION
The field is capped under our National Park Service permit. Once we hit the cap, registration closes, so don't count on race-day entry. Current prices are shown at registration.
RACE DAY
Start and finish: Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854
Start times: Half Marathon 12:00 PM · 10K 12:30 PM · 5K 1:00 PM
Getting there: Parking at the Tavern lot is limited, so carpool if you can. The park charges its entrance fee at the gate: $20 per vehicle, card only.
Weather: Late November afternoons on the river are usually in the 40s or 50s, and it cools off fast once the sun drops behind the trees. Dress in layers.
FAQ
Is the course really flat? Very nearly. The towpath follows the canal, and the canal was engineered to be flat.
Is the towpath paved? No. It's crushed stone and packed dirt. Road shoes are fine.
Is the trail closed for the race? No. It stays open to hikers and cyclists. Keep right, pass on the left, and call out when you're coming by.
Can I wear headphones? Keep one ear free. You're sharing the trail with bikes.
Can I walk it? Absolutely. Half marathon walkers should plan to finish by 3:00 PM.
Can spectators come? Please bring them, and bring them hungry. The Great Falls Overlook is a short walk from the finish.
Why is the field capped? It's a condition of our National Park Service permit, and it's the reason we're allowed to hold the race at all.
What if it rains? We run. If the park closes the towpath for safety, we'll follow their call and let you know by email.