Community is stronger than cancer. That belief fuels everything we do at Cancer Support Community (CSC), and it's what drives team CSC United to the starting line. On Sunday, Oct. 25, CSC United will take on the 51st Marine Corps Marathon — one of the most iconic races in the country.
Military families already carry so much. They move when duty calls. They navigate long separations. They shoulder the weight of service with quiet strength. And when a cancer diagnosis enters the picture, the fight becomes even heavier — appointments, uncertainty, distance from support systems, and disruptions to daily life. Our collective team goal for 2026 is $25,000.
Why we run: Cancer doesn’t pause for deployments, transfers, or the demands of military life. CSC exists to ensure people have access to trusted support, real connection, and reliable resources when they need them most. Helping military, connected individuals and families feel understood, and more empowered through every stage. By running with CSC United, you help strengthen communities, expand access to care, and remind people facing cancer that support is always within reach.
Join Team CSC United
Whether this is your first marathon or your 15th, this is your chance to run with intention and impact. Train with purpose. Fundraise with heart. Finish knowing your miles helped strengthen a community. Because community is stronger than cancer.
Fundraising goal: Each runner commits to raising a minimum of $1,000 for the 2026 Marine Corps Marathon. Your fundraising helps make possible:
- Support groups that foster connection and belonging
- Education tools to cope with cancer’s social and emotional impact
- Guidance and resources for caregivers and loved ones
- A community that shows up consistently and compassionately
*The $100 registation fee is applied directly back to your personal fundraising page.*
Runner benefits & team support: When you join CSC United, you are backed by a community every step of the way. As a selected charity of the 2026 Marine Corp Marathon, CSC provides runners with:
- fundraising guidance
- resources
- encouragement throughout training and race day
Most importantly, you will be part of a team running for something bigger than the finish line.
Register here.
Book your hotel.
MCM Run Overview
The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), first run in 1976 and organized by the United States Marine Corps, has earned the nickname "The People's Marathon" for its inclusive spirit and patriotic pageantry. Held annually in the Washington, D.C., region, the race was created to showcase the Nation’s capital while promoting fitness and the Marine Corps’ values.
The 26.2‑mile course weaves through Arlington and Washington, D.C., delivering a landmark‑rich tour of the capital. Runners typically pass the Iwo Jima/Marine Corps War Memorial, cross into the city with views of the Potomac River and Rosslyn skyline, and run alongside and past iconic sights on the National Mall and west end — including the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam and Korean War memorials, and stretches that provide framed views of the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol. The course is renowned for wide, well‑managed roads, strong crowd support, live music and military bands at frequent intervals, and encouragement from Marines and volunteers at aid stations and mile markers.
Many participants note the palpable mix of solemnity and celebration at the finish near the Marine Corps War Memorial, making it a memorable culmination for first‑time marathoners and veterans alike. The Marine Corps Marathon is USATF‑certified and a Boston Marathon qualifying event, and the organization emphasizes safety, tradition, and a runner‑first atmosphere rather than prize purses. Whether chasing a qualifying time, running for a personal goal, or sharing the course with thousands of fellow runners amid stirring patriotic displays, participants can expect a professionally managed event with a uniquely American and military‑toned ambiance.
Learn more about the Marine Corps Marathon.
About Cancer Support Community
CSC is the largest nonprofit provider of free social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer. Through support a toll-free helpline, and online resources groups, educational workshops, navigation services, and healthy lifestyle programs, we help patients, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones feel supported, informed, and connected at every stage of the cancer experience. a toll-free helpline, and online resources. We offer personalized navigation, support groups, educational workshops, and networking. CSC uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care.
Interested in Sponsorship Opportunties for the 2026 CSC United MCM team? Click here.
