The Washington region offers a wide variety of running road races throughout the summer.
While traditional 5K, 10K and marathon events take place, other events are modified in unique ways, and attract significant interest as a result.
Visit the calendar section at RunWashington to find a list of summer races throughout the metro area and more specific information about each event. Here are some highlights:
District of Columbia
In D.C. on Saturday, July 25 is the Christmas in July 5K along the scenic C&O Canal towpath. It’s not unusual for participants to wear Christmas outfits as they run.
Also in D.C. is the Legacy Loop 5K on Saturday, Aug. 15. The event is held on the fields at RFK Stadium campus and features a four-lap route around the official Chocolate City Criterium course.
A third D.C. event is the Summer District 5K and half-marathon along only the waterfront on Sunday, Aug. 16. The event also features a 10K.
The races are options for runners looking to log serious summer miles.
Suburban Maryland
Maryland races offer opportunities to test running limits in the heat, race under the stars or earn a post-race glass of wine.
One Maryland event is the Night Nation Run on Saturday, July 18 at Northwest Stadium. The 5K run and music festival begins at 8:30 p.m. Claiming to be the nation’s first running music festival, it offers the experience of a music-filled course with live disc jockeys on hand, bubble and party zones, light shows and neon and black lights. The finish line is on a stage.
The Midsummer Night’s Mile in Maryland is organized by the Montgomery County Road Runners Club. It occurs Friday, July 10 at Gaithersburg High School, giving runners a rare chance to race a true mile on the track under stadium lights.
Maryland’s Blue Crab Bolt Trail Running Series from late July to mid-August is held at Schaeffer Farms in Germantown and Little Bennett Regional Park in Clarksburg. The races feature 5K and 10K courses with stream crossings, grassy fields and single-track wooded trails.
Another Maryland option is the Buddy Attick Summer Fun Run Series, held Thursday evenings in July and August at Buddy Attick Park in Greenbelt. Free races take runners around a shaded lake path.
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia offers shaded vineyard trails, evening glow runs and scenic waterside courses. Beating the heat has never been more rewarding, with several distinct events happening this season.
One such event is the Sippin Series at local vineyards on different dates, offering a cold beverage at finish lines.
The Summer Burke Lake 5K & 10K is Sunday, Aug. 1, navigating the heavily shaded gravel trails encircling Burke Lake, along with some hills and open grassy areas to navigate, along with crossing a railroad track.
Leopold’s Preserve 5K and 10K winds through the sprawling and scenic nature preserve in Broad Run on Sunday, Aug. 23.
The Great Country Farms 5K and 10K in Bluemont is Sunday, July 12 next to Henway Hard Cider.
The Bluemont 5K is an evening race hosted by the DC Road Runners Club on Wednesday, July 22 at Bluemont Park in Arlington.
The Sunset Scurry 5K & 10K winds through the neighborhoods of Annandale on Friday evening Aug. 7 at Americana Park.
The Tuesday Night 5K Series is a casual mid-week staple running at different times throughout July and August at Wakefield Park and Burke Lake Park.
