Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 11, 2013

Metrorail to open two hours early on Saturday, March 16

Rail system to open at 5 a.m. for Rock n Roll Marathon & Half Marathon

Metrorail will open two hours early — at 5 a.m. -- on Saturday, March 16, for the benefit of customers traveling to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.  The additional service is funded by the event sponsors.

Travel Tips

• Race participants are encouraged to use a SmarTrip card or a plastic cover to protect paper farecards. In previous years, race participants have had their farecards demagnetized due to moisture.
• Customers traveling on the eastern leg of the Red Line are advised of major track work for system rebuilding. Buses replace Red Line trains between Takoma and NoMa-Gallaudet. Consider parking at Fort Totten and using the Green Line to L'Enfant Plaza as an alternate route around the work area.
• To avoid lines at the end of the event, be sure your SmarTrip or paper farecard is loaded with enough value for your return trip. Customers using paper farecards incur a $1 surcharge per trip ($2 extra per roundtrip).
• The marathon is expected to have a significant impact on Metrobus operations.  Bus customers should allow additional travel time until the race is completed.

News release issued at 10:47 am, March 11, 2013.