The humidity is coming, and we have no time to waste. In the weeks before the peak summer heat hits, enjoy the great outdoors by participating in this month’s spread of footraces across the region. May’s picks range from a 1 kilometer Fun Run (less than a mile) to a half marathon (13.1 miles). Run for your mom, run for the doggos, or just run to get more endorphins into your system.
University Park, Md.: Azalea Classic
It turns out cherry blossoms aren’t the only flowers worth running for. Start out the month with the University Park Elementary School’s PTA with a fast course right outside of the city. The event runs through some of the azalea-lined University Park streets. In case you procrastinate, same-day registration is available. All proceeds from the event benefit the University Park Elementary School.
Saturday, May 4 // 1K, 1 mile, 5K // $15-$70 (for group rate) // More information here.
Upper Marlboro, Md.: I’ll Always Love My Mama 5K
This year, choose to celebrate Mother’s Day a day early at Community Youth Advance’s 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) run/walk in Upper Marlboro. The course runs through Watkins Regional Park, which means it’s a good excuse to escape the city roads that many of us are used to running on. Proceeds from the event benefit the organization’s youth and wellness work in Prince George’s County. We recommend you register early: Prices increase on May 1.
Saturday, May 11 // 5K // $25-$30 // More information here.
Fairfax Station, Va.: Virginia German Shepherd Rescue 4 Mile Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
If you want to run for the pups, Virginia German Shepherd Rescue is holding its fifth annual race in Northern Virginia. The event runs through Burke Lake Park and the start times are staggered for participants competing with or without their dogs. The race supports the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue group that rehabilitates and re-homes hundreds of very good doggos every year. Same-day registration is available, but be sure to sign up early if you want to be guaranteed a shirt.
Saturday, May 11 // 1 mile-4 mile // $35 // More information here.
Washington, D.C.: Capitol Hill Classic
Lace up your shoes in mid-May for the 40th annual National Capital Bank (NCB) Capitol Hill Classic. The race passes the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and even goes down around the new sports fields by RFK Stadium. There are pre-race packet pickup locations at Peabody Primary School and Pacers Navy Yard—and proceeds from the race help support Capitol Hill Cluster public school.
Sunday, May 19 // 3K-10K // $12-$42 // More information here.
Washington, D.C.: 2019 Spring Georgetown 5k & Half
End the month with a flat and fast course along the C&O Canal Path. Participants can choose between the 5 kilometer and half marathon option. Shirts are guaranteed to participants who sign up before May 15, and procrastinators take note: There’s no race day registration. The event benefits Operation Turbo, an organization that delivers “Boxes from Home” to members of the military deployed overseas. Since it began in 2018, the group has sent out more than one thousand boxes to troops.
Sunday, May 26 // 5K-half marathon // $25-$65 // More information here.
