Watch out, D.C.! 15,000 runners are expected to hit the streets of Washington this Sunday. A local institution, the Marine Corps Marathon attracts competitive runners from all over the world as well as thousands of amatuers eager to punish their bodies by running through 26.2 miles of D.C.’s streets.

This years race starts at Arlington National Cemetary, goes through Georgetown, much of Rock Creek Park, hits the National Mall, winds through Hains Point and crosses the 14th Street bridge before endeding at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Whew. DCist gets winded just thinking about it. A full map of the course can be found here.

We know it’s early on a Sunday morning, but DCers shouldn’t miss this chance to get out and cheer on the runnres. It’s one of the rare times that a chunk of the city will actually be free of traffic, as there are many street closings that morning.

In brief, we should let you know that M street in Georgetown and the Key Bridge will be closed from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Also, Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue along the Mall will be shut to traffic from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Northbound HOV Lanes across the 14th stree bridge will also be shut from 9:10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Please check the above link for a more detailed list.

Stayed tuned for more Marine Corps info. We’ll have word on the best places to check out racers as they speed past tomorrow.