I swear, asking someone who lives in the DC metro area which race is their favorite is like asking a mom which child she likes best. We have some of the most amazing races in the country here: Marine Corps Marathon, Army 10 Miler, Navy Air Force half marathon, RNR DC, GW Parkway Classic 10 Miler, Woodrow Wilson Half Marathon… Expand your horizons a bit and you can run the Frederick Half Marathon, ZOOMA Annapolis, the Historic Half, the Fall Backyard Burn trail races, the Loudoun Half Marathon, the Reston 10 Miler… And that’s not even touching the smaller races in the area.
Seriously I could race every weekend. And I have run many of the local races, but not all of them. It’s so hard to choose just one. But somehow, for today’s Tuesday on the Run, I made the hard choice.
2016 Parkway Classic produced by Pacers Running. Sunday, 24 April, 2016. Photo by Brian W. Knight/Swim Bike Run Photo.
One of the best races in the area is the GW Parkway Classic 10 miler. I’d say that the Marine Corps Marathon is a super close second, but not everyone wants to run a marathon and MCM is a huge production and logistical challenge. The GW Parkway does have a few logistics involved, but it’s a great race that truly showcases some of Virginia’s beauty.
The GW Parkway starts bright and early out at Mount Vernon. Buses deliver runners there starting in the wee hours of the morning for this lovely point to point race. It’s a big enough race that you never end up running alone, but the crowds thin out more quickly than most DC area races.
2016 Parkway Classic produced by Pacers Running. Sunday, 24 April, 2016. Photo by Brian W. Knight/Swim Bike Run Photo.
This race is put on by Pacers Running, a local racing company and running store, and they do it right. I’ve only had the chance to run the race once, but I volunteered for a number of years loading buses and it’s a huge local favorite race.
The race runs down the GW Parkway, along the river, into Old Town Alexandria. It’s a beautiful course with some nice downhills and a decent amount of shade.
2016 Parkway Classic produced by Pacers Running. Sunday, 24 April, 2016. Photo by Brian W. Knight/Swim Bike Run Photo.
It finishes at Orinoco Bay Park and has a fabulous finish line party! It’s an incredibly well organized race and one of the best bargains in the area.
For a reasonable $70, you get a tech tee, the race, a medal, a party, AND free photos. (Yes, I said FREE photos.) In addition, this race has some of the easiest packet pick up options around – multiple days and locations and they are totally cool with people picking up friends’ bibs.
[Tweet “Looking for an awesome race in the DC area? Check out the @runpacers GW Parkway Classic next spring! #rundc”]
I’m really looking forward to ending my quest for Mercury with Half Fanatics. While I’ll still be adding half marathon states to my calendar, I plan to get back to running some of my hometown favorites and this race is already on my list for next year.
Have you run this race? What race would you recommend in your area?
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(Huge thank you to Pacers Running and Swim Bike Run Photo for use of the photos!)
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I love running in DC. It’s a drivable distance from where we live yet we enjoy staying overnight and taking in some of the city before and after the race. I’ve run the Nike Woman’s half marathon there twice and most recently the Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon. Thanks for sharing these races. The 10 miler looks like fun to me! ~Amy
I love running in DC! I’ve raced the Nike Woman’s half and the Rock ‘n’ Roll half. The 10 miler looks fun to me! Thanks for sharing!
That sounds like a great course! My family’s history nerds, so we’ve done the tours in and around DC, which included Mount Vernon.
Sounds like a great one and I agree: you do have tons of great racing choices in your neck of the woods! MCM may be my all-time fave….maybe…
Marcia recently posted…Don’t Miss These Chicago-Area Races
This looks like a really great race, I don’t know why I’ve never looked into it, especially since my brother lives in Alexandria! I’ll have to keep an eye out for next year.
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Roundup of the Most Fun Races in Philly
I have looked at this race several times, but I have not done it yet! Actually the furthest north I have ran in VA is Fredricksburg, VA
Ya’ll really have some great races in that area. I’m a tad jealous!
This looks like a great race! I’m so jealous of all you DC runners!! You have the best races ever. 🙂
Rachel recently posted…Running for Fun — Fun Runs and Family Time
DC is on my bucket list. I want to run there and run past all the famous monuments.
Darlene recently posted…TOTR: Best Local Races
There are a lot of good races in the DC area. What you described is kind of how I feel about Boston – hard to pick just one race!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…2016 Run to Remember Race Report
Love love love DC! Definitely adding this to my list!
The 5K of this race was my first race ever and the 10M became my favorite as soon as I ran it the next year. I was drawn in by the course, hooked by the great organization and remain true b/c it still has a low-key vibe. And Port City at the finish is never a bad way to celebrate!
Coco recently posted…Observing Memorial Day
What’s not to love about DC? I’ve only been there a few times, but never on a weekend, and it was before I became a runner. I’m itching to get back for a visit and see the sights in my running shoes.
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Global Running Day-A Look into my Miles
This is a race I have wanted to run for awhile, I’ve just never been able to get to the area when it happens! The race I would recommend in my area is the Wicked 10K-or for you Half Fanatics the Shamrock Half 😉
Stacey recently posted…TotR: Best Races in Hampton Roads
That course sounds lovely! It would be really hard to choose a race around DC – you guys have an embarrassment of riches for sure.
Jessica S recently posted…Favorite local races: Boys Town Memorial Day Run