Marine Corps 17.75K this Saturday; Traffic delays expected near Prince William Forest Park

Drivers on Route 234 should watch for delays on Saturday, March 23, 2024, near Prince William Forest Park.

The Marine Corps Marathon Organization (MCMO) will hold the Marine Corps 17.75K at the national park near Dumfries. Over 2,000 runners will begin running the 11-mile course at 7 a.m., with the last participant estimated to finish around 11 a.m. Marathon organizers say that significant delays should be expected between 4:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. on event day.

Road Closures and Time:
The biggest delays will be seen on Route 234 between Waterway Drive and Country Club Drive. Closures and times will follow as such:

Pleasant Road will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

One southbound lane and one northbound lane of Route 234 will be closed from 3:45 a.m. until end of the event, estimated to be around 12:00 p.m.

Southbound Route 234 will be fully closed to all traffic from 6:30 a.m. until the start line clears, estimated to be around 7:30 a.m.
Scenic Drive will be closed from Parking Lot D to Turkey Run Road from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Event Day Detours:
South Route 234 traffic will be detoured onto Waterway Drive starting at 6:30 a.m. Traffic will be rerouted to Route 234 at Country Club Drive.

Parking and Shuttle Information:
Participants and spectators will be able to utilize several parking lots along Route 234. It is highly recommended for runners to carpool and park at the following parking lots and use the provided shuttles:

Route 234 Commuter Lot, 17300 Dumfries Road, Dumfries, Va.
Quantico Center (Fettler Commercial Buildings), 3850 Fettler Park Drive, Dumfries, Va.

Grace Church, 17100 Van Buren Rd, Dumfries, Va.
Forest Park High School, 15721 Forest Park Dr, Woodbridge, Va.

The designated shuttles will transport participants back and forth between the start/finish area at Montclair Tabernacle Church of God before and after the event. On event morning, the free shuttles will begin operating at 4:30 a.m., with the last pre-event shuttle departing the parking lots at 6:20 a.m. Post-event shuttles will begin running shortly after 8:30 a.m. from the 17.75K finish area and return to the designated parking lots. Each bus will be labeled with a specific parking destination.

There are also a limited number of parking spaces at Moncure Park and Montclair Commuter Lot. Due to the closer proximity to the start/finish area, there will be no shuttle service to these parking lots. Therefore, participants who choose to park in these areas are expected to walk to the start/finish area.

There is no participant parking at John F. Pattie Elementary School, Washington-Reid Preschool Center or Montclair Tabernacle Church of God.

Prince William Forest Park campground guests have been notified and provided detail through the park.