‘Airborne’
courtesy of ‘theqspeaks’

As America’s fittest city, the District is home to a high concentration of athletes, and it seems like every week brings another road race or triathlon to town.  With everything from 5Ks to marathons coming up in the next couple months, fall is a busy time for road races in the DC area.

If you’ve always wanted to start running, now’s the time to start– the weather can’t be beat, and a Couch Potato to 5K training program will have you ready for your first 5K in just 2 months!  Don’t believe you can do it?  Well, 2 years ago I couldn’t run more than two blocks without stopping, but I followed the training program, got bitten by the running bug, and now I’ve got countless 5Ks and 10Ks under my belt, along with a handful of half-marathons and triathlons.

Ready to race?  Here’s what’s going on in the running world over the next month.

‘Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race 2’
courtesy of ‘theqspeaks’

This Weekend

The Woodrow Wilson Half Marathon is on September 19 and will be taking runners from Mount Vernon to National Harbor “to an Awakening” (clever!).  An expected field of 4,000 runners will compete, and a festival with entertainment, food, and a beer truck will be awaiting runners at the finish line.  Runners must be able to keep up a 15 minute mile pace for this race.  Registration is $70 (or $65 for active military).

Here’s a unique race opportunity: run through the tunnel at Sunday’s Fort McHenry Tunnel Run/Walk 5K in Baltimore. Registration is $25, and proceeds go to benefit Maryland’s Special Olympics program.

‘pink sneaks’
courtesy of ‘oddlittlebird.’

Next Weekend

The Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K will be held on Saturday, September 25 at West Potomac Park.  This family-friendly 5K welcomes both walkers and runners to raise money for (what else?) preventing cancer.  Registration is $30 and the first 500 registrants get a t-shirt.

The Clarendon Day Run 10K, 5K, and Kids’ Dash will also be held on September 25.  Sponsored by Pacers, these runs will let you run around Arlington and work off some of the delicious food you’ll be bound to eat at the Clarendon Day Festival.  Registration is $35 for the 5K, $38 for the 10K, and a donation to Doorways for Women and Families is all that’s needed to sign up for the Kids’ Dash.

The 2010 Dash for Dad will be held on Sunday, September 26 in Alexandria.  This race includes both a 10K run and 2-mile fun walk; proceeds go to benefit prostate research and free testing in the DC area.  Registration is $30 for the 10K or $10 for the fun walk.

Sunday is also the date of the Navy 5 Miler, a 5 mile run around the Pentagon in Arlington.  Proceeds go to benefit the Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation program. You’ll have to keep up a 15 minute per mile pace to finish this race, but you’ll be rewarded with a finishers’ coin and technical t-shirt.  Registration is $45.

‘MCM Coin’
courtesy of ‘christaki’

On the Horizon

October brings several major athletic events to the area.  Keep an eye out for these upcoming events:

• October 2 is the 24th Annual AIDS Run/Walk.  This 5K timed run and walk will start in Freedom Plaza.
• The Seagull Century ride, held out in Salisbury MD, is a great scenic bike course with two 100-mile options and a metric century (62 miles) option.  It will be held on 10/9 and registration is still open.
• The Army 10 Miler will be held on 10/24.  The 30,000 registration slots are already sold out, but this race is so huge that it’s cool just to be a spectator and soak it all in.
• The Marine Corps Marathon is coming up on 10/31.  This is another huge race, with 30,000 slots that are also sold out, and it’s one of the most popular marathons in the country.

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!