Race preview: Suntrust National Marathon

November 9, 8:58 AMDC Running Fitness ExaminerAmy Reinink

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With the fall marathon season almost finished, many Washington-area runners are turning toward spring races for their next distance-racing goals.

Below, check out a few reasons why you may want to consider the SunTrust National Marathon or CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Half Marathon on March 20 in Washington, D.C., as your big spring race:

A cap of 4,000 marathoners and 8,000 half-marathoners keep the field relatively small, eliminating the frenzied feel of the start of a larger race.

It's the only marathon held entirely within the boundaries of Washington, D.C., in contrast to the Virginia-heavy Marine Corps Marathon. The race begins and ends at RFK Stadium. The course loops past the Capitol, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, in addition to D.C.'s museums, before passing the White House. It also winds through funky neighborhoods like Adams Morgan, and past Howard University, where students cheering and blasting rap music provide one of the best spectator spots of the race. The final miles follow the Anacostia Riverwalk, passing the Nationals Park before winding back to the finish line.

It's the fastest looped course in the country, according to Running USA's annual marathon report. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director, says the Boston and Steamtown marathons both have faster courses, according to median finishing times, but both are run on point-to-point downhill courses. The National Marathon is run on a looped course, which starts and finishes in the same place. The race's qualifying times (for the full marathon, you need to have run a 10K in 1 hour and 5 minutes or less, a marathon in 5 hours or less, or anything in between) and likely play into the faster-than-average median finishing times. Still, this Examiner personally witnessed several PRs on the course last year.

It's challenging even as it's fast. The course climbs roughly 200 feet between miles three and seven, with smaller uphills (roughly 75 feet of elevation change or less) between miles 11 and 12 and miles 13 and 14. A few swells at the 20-mile marker, plus some rolling hills near the finish line, are tough not because of their elevation change, but for their placement in the race. Check out elevation charts for both the full and half marathon here.

Have you run this race? If so, share your thoughts about the course here.