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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

This weekend is the Marine Corps Marathon, one of the largest races in the Washington region. Over 30,000 people are signed up for the marathon and 10K, and many streets in Arlington and the District will be closed for the event. Good luck to everyone who is running!

But once the last runner crosses the finish line on Sunday, don’t think that running season is over in the District. We’ve still got several weeks of good road races coming up, including dozens of turkey trots in the area. Here’s the rundown!

‘Runners’
courtesy of ‘EvinDC’

November 6-7

On Saturday, November 6, kick off the turkey trot season with the Turkey Trot 5K Road Race in Manassas.  This 5K run/walk will be held at the Boys & Girls Club of Manassas starting at 8 AM on Saturday.  Registration is $30 for runners or walkers.  Funds raised by the 5K will go to ensuring that the Boys & Girls Club can continue to provide quality services for youth in the area.

On Sunday, bring your dog along to the Dash 5K & Doggie Run in Rock Creek Park (starting at 16th & Kennedy Street NW).  This event features a timed 5K for humans and a 1-mile run for dog/human teams.  Registration is $35 for the 5K and $25 for the Doggie Run, and proceeds benefit the Washington Animal Rescue League.

‘Second-place runner outbound’
courtesy of ‘runneralan2004’

November 13-14

Are you a Redskins fan?  Plan on getting up for the NFL Fit For You 5K at National Harbor on Saturday, November 13. This isn’t just a 5K, it’s a full fun-filled day of fashion, fitness, and family!  So break out your favorite team’s jersey, run a 5K, then spend the rest of the day hanging out with football players, trying to win fun prizes (like Super Bowl tickets), and running around a play area.  Registration is just $5.

The Veterans Day 10K will be held on Sunday, November 14 at West Potomac Park.  The 10K run and 2.25 mile fun walk will take place around Hains Point and the Tidal Basin.  This is the largest autumn 10K in DC with 2,500 runners and walkers expected.  Registration is $25 before November 1 and $30 afterwards, and proceeds will benefit Paralyzed Veterans of America.

November 20-21

The Town of Herndon is sponsoring a Turkey Trot 5K at 4 PM on Saturday, November 20.  This is the race for runners who can’t force themselves out of bed for the typical 8 AM start time!  Registration is $15 plus a can of food, which will be donated to LINK.  The Reuse-a-Shoe Recycling Program will be collecting used running shoes to be ground up and turned into material for use in track fields and playgrounds, so bring your old athletic shoes too.

‘Turkey Trot 2009 – Only 2 miles to go’
courtesy of ‘pixonomy’

November 25

There are several races for you to check out if you’re in town and up for a race on Thanksgiving morning:

• Here in the District, the 40th Annual SOME Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger will take place on Saturday morning at 8 AM.  This 5K walk/run and 1 mile fun run will take place on Hains Point.  Registration is $23 and goes to help So Others Might Eat, which provides 1,000 meals on Thanksgiving (and every other day of the year) to the poor and homeless.
• The Alexandria Turkey Trot is a 5 mile run held in the Del Ray neighborhood on Thanksgiving morning at 10 AM.  More than 3,000 runners are expected to participate in this year’s race.  Registration is $20 plus two food donations to ALIVE.
• The YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase Turkey Chase will be held in Bethesda on Thanksgiving morning at 8:30 AM.  This race features a 10K run, 2 mile fun run/walk, and a 50-meter Tot Trot.  There’s food, music, and family fun to look forward to past the finish line.  Registration varies by the distance you’re running and the time you register, and proceeds go to benefit the YMCA and other community programs.

There you have it– a whole month of running opportunities!  See you out there!

Shannon grew up in the greater DC area/Maryland suburbs, went to Virginia for college and grad school (go Hoos!), and settled in DC in 2006. She’s an urban planner who loves transit (why yes, that is her dressed as a Metro pylon for Halloween), cities, and all things DC. Email her at Shannon (at) WeLoveDC.com!