It might feel like running over burning pavement this month, but in at least once case you can literally leap over fire. August offers a range of races for everyone who wants to run a flat 5K (3.1 miles) to an obstacle course race and a beer mile. Pick your poison, but run it safe: be sure to hydrate well.
Washington, DC: Summer Fletcher’s 5k and 10k
It’s a flat, fast, and hot out-and-back race. Join Operation Turbo in Georgetown for a 5K or a 10K along the C&O Canal Towpath. Participants are allowed to bring strollers and leashed pets, but please note that, per park rules, they will be no same-day registration. Can’t make it on race day? There is also a virtual run option. Proceeds from the event benefit Operation Turbo, an organization that delivers packages to deployed U.S. military members.
Saturday, August 10 // 5K, 10K // $12-40 // More information here.
Clarksburg, Maryland: Warrior Dash
Brace yourself: it’s a footrace and an obstacle course all in one. Runners who participate in the Warrior Dash will complete either a 5K with 12 obstacles or a 10K with 20-26 obstacles. Some of the obstacles include climbing walls, climbing through mud, crawling underneath barbed wire, and leaping over fire. Finishing is worth it: participants receive an entry to the all-day festival, free beer, and free photos.
Saturday, August 10 // 5K, 10K // $94-114 // More information here.
Annapolis, Maryland: Ben Moore Memorial Half Marathon, 10k & 5K
In mid-August, join the Kent Island Running Club, the Anne Arundel County Striders, and Bluepoint Race Management for a 5K, 10K, or half marathon in Annapolis. All courses begin and end at the Truman Parkway Park and Ride. The race honors Ben Moore, a local coach who trained hundreds of people to finish their first marathon—and the course follows some of the same routes that Moore used to lead.
Saturday, August 17 // 5K, 10K, half marathon // $30-$45 // More information here.
Frederick, Maryland: I Believe in Me Back to School 5k Run and Walk
It’s their first annual race. I Believe In Me, a youth empowerment organization in Maryland, is holding their first 5K run and walk to raise awareness and funds for their fall programming. The course starts and ends at Baker Park in Frederick Maryland. Sign up by August 10th to be guaranteed a free t-shirt—but if you procrastinate, same-day registration is available. There will be prizes for the top male and female finishers and for the top fundraising teams.
Saturday, August 24 // 5K // $12-$25 // More information here.
Washington, D.C: Pacer’s Beer Mile
In a beer mile, participants willingly combine chugging and running into one event. Here’s how it works: if participants are running the full mile, then they chug one beer before every quarter-mile. This means they chug four beers over the course of a one-mile race. If participants are running in a four-person relay, then they split up the event and only have to chug one beer (and run one quarter-mile) each. It can hurt like heck, but having participated in it last year, it is wild and fun.
Saturday, August 24 // One mile, relay, or solo // $20 // More information here.
