Marathon sells primarily through Rheem-channel plumbing wholesale and specialty online retailers. Not at big-box stores typically — but available through Home Depot special-order and some specialty online sources.
Primary channels
- Rheem-channel plumbing wholesale — F.W. Webb, Ferguson, plumbing supply houses. Contractor accounts required for trade pricing
- SupplyHouse.com / PEX Universe — specialty online plumbing; reliable Marathon stock
- marathonheaters.com — official dealer locator
- Limited Home Depot — Marathon MR50 sometimes available online for special order
- Amazon — growing Marathon presence; smaller models more common online
- HVAC supply houses — regional distributors stocking Rheem family
Where you won\'t find Marathon
- Lowe\'s — AO Smith family brand store
- Menards — Richmond (Rheem subsidiary, different brand)
- Ace Hardware — Reliance brand
- Costco — generally doesn\'t stock specialty premium tanks
Finding a Marathon installer
- marathonheaters.com installer locator — enter zip code for nearby certified installers
- Rheem dealer network — Marathon is Rheem-family; Rheem-certified plumbers can install Marathon
- Specialty electric water heater contractors
- Mobile home parks often have established Marathon Lowboy installers
Pricing
| Channel | MR50 typical price |
|---|---|
| SupplyHouse.com / PEX Universe | $1,299-1,499 |
| Plumbing wholesale (contractor) | $1,099-1,299 (contractor cost) |
| Plumber installed (parts + labor) | $1,700-2,200 total |
| Amazon | $1,399-1,649 |
| Home Depot special-order | $1,499-1,699 |
DIY purchase + install considerations
- Like-for-like electric tank swap: homeowner-DIY-capable. Marathon ships ready-to-install — just unbox, mount, connect
- First-time water heater install or change of fuel: contractor work
- Mobile home install: often DIY with Marathon Lowboy
- Permit: required in most US jurisdictions even for like-for-like swap
Bottom line
Marathon is specialty-channel — Rheem wholesale and online specialty retailers. SupplyHouse.com is the largest online source. Local plumbing wholesale houses can quote contractor pricing through your installer. Specialty premium positioning means the brand isn\'t stocked at mainstream big-box retail.