‘Marine Corps Marathon madness’
courtesy of ‘BrianMKA’
October is the month for running in the DC area– you can’t beat the weather, and since it is near the end of the running season most runners are already in shape for races. There are all sorts of fantastic races scheduled in October– everything from 2-mile walks to a full marathon. Here are just a few highlights in the running world:
October 2-3
Saturday, October 2 is the 24th Annual AIDS Walk downtown at Freedom Plaza. This 5K features both a fundraising walk and a timed run, and proceeds go to benefit HIV/AIDS programs at the Whitman-Walker Clinic. If you can’t be there to run or walk, you can even be a ‘sleep walker’ and you don’t even need to show up on race day. Registration is $35 for the timed run and $25 for the walk.
The Capital Area Gulf Coast Relief Run, a 5K run/walk in Potomac, MD, will be held on Sunday, October 3. This event will start at Winston Churchill High School, and is sponsored by the school’s Key Club to raise money for communities devastated by the oil spill in the Gulf region earlier this year. Registration is $30 for the 5K and $15 for a Kids Fun Run.
‘High-five’
courtesy of ‘BrianMKA’
October 9-10
The 1st Annual Semper Fi 5K will be held at Hains Point on Saturday, October 9. Both runners and walkers are welcome on this flat course. Proceeds go to benefit the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Registration is $10, and a minimum of $25 donation to the Semper Fi Fund is required to participate.
If you’re looking for a bike ride rather than a run, the Seagull Century is on Saturday, October 9 in Salisbury, MD. There are two century (100-mile) courses, along with a metric century (62-mile) course. There are several stops along the course, including one that includes all the pie you want. If that’s not good motivation to bike 100 miles, I don’t know what is. Registration is $75.
Sunday, October 10 is the Boo! Run for Life race in DC. This 10K run and 2-mile walk takes place on Hains Point and around the Tidal Basin. Proceeds from the Boo! Run for Life go to help cure renal cell cancer. Registration is $30 for the 10K run and $27 for the 2-mile walk.
October 16-17
Sunday, October 17 is the Race to Remember benefiting the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. This 5K starts at Judiciary Square and continues through downtown. One great thing about this race, aside from the excellent fund it benefits, is that it doesn’t start until 10 AM– so you can sleep in and still get a run in! Registration is $25.
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courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’
October 23-24
The Army 10-Miler sold out earlier this year in record time, and a field of 30,000 runners will take to the street of Arlington and the District on Sunday, October 24. This race is the largest 10-mile race in the country and attracts participants from all across the country. Check out the course and find a good spot to cheer on the runners on Sunday!
October 30-31
Here’s a fun race for kids of all ages– the Ghost, Goblins, and Ghouls Spooktacular 5K and Scarecrow Sprint Fun Run will take place on October 30 in Leesburg. The event kicks off at 5 PM and includes a costume contest and store trick or treating. Registration is $30.
Halloween is one of the best-known races in DC– the Marine Corps Marathon. This marathon is the eighth-largest marathon in the world, and it is known as “The People’s Marathon” because it is open to anyone over age 14 and doesn’t offer prize money. 30,000 runners will take to the streets of Arlington and the District Sunday morning, so stake out a good spot along the course to watch all the craziness unfold.
‘still smiling at mile 23’
courtesy of ‘picture prefect’
On the Horizon
November brings a few Veterans’ Day races to town, and more Turkey Trots than you can imagine. Happy running, and we’ll see you in November for a turkey-themed Rundown!
Somerset Elementary School’s having its Back to School Classic on Sunday Oct 17th at 9am. It’s a USATF certified 8K race that winds through the scenic roads of Somerset (just over DC border), Friendship Hts, and Chevy Chase West. A 2K race and free Fun Runs are available for families and children. Come support a local public school and win some fabulous prizes….
Sign up for the race today at http://www.mc-coop.org/20101017/ to take advantage of discounted early sign-ups ($25 for Adults by Sept. 30th, $15 for Children 18 & Under all the time).