DC runners have 17 standout races to choose from between October and mid-December, from world-famous marathons to Thanksgiving morning turkey trots across DC, Maryland and Virginia.
The Big October Races Bring Thousands of Runners Past the Monuments
Army Ten-Miler, Sunday, October 11. The 42nd Annual Army Ten-Miler is organized by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and ranks as the third largest 10-mile road race in the world. The course begins and ends at the Pentagon and loops through downtown DC. Every in-person runner is required to collect a packet at the race expo at The St. James in Springfield on October 9 or 10. Metro opens at 6 a.m. on race day, and the race goes on rain or shine with no refunds. All proceeds are directed to Soldier MWR programs.
Baltimore Running Festival, Saturday, October 17. Charm City’s 24th annual Baltimore Running Festival offers a marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K. The marathon starts at 8 a.m. at Russell and Camden Streets and is a Boston qualifier, though runners should expect a punishing climb from mile 17 to 19 that locals compare to Heartbreak Hill. The route passes the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill, Fells Point and even the Maryland Zoo. Online marathon registration closes October 16 at 6 p.m. unless the field fills first.
Marine Corps Marathon, Sunday, October 25. The 51st Marine Corps Marathon is the third largest marathon in the country, and it is the largest marathon on the planet that awards no prize money. Runners start near the Pentagon, pass DC landmarks and finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington. More than 40,000 participants turned out for the 50th anniversary race in 2025. The MCM 8K is held the day before, on Saturday, October 24. Charity bibs are the most common path in this late in the season, and teams like the Travis Manion Foundation require an $850 fundraising minimum by October 21.
Smaller Fall 5Ks and 10Ks Offer a Friendlier Start Line
Matthew Henson 5K, Saturday, October 10. The Montgomery County Road Runners Club hosts the Matthew Henson 5K in Silver Spring, a good tune-up for anyone eyeing a Thanksgiving race.
Hot Cider Hustle DC, Saturday, October 31. Halloween morning belongs to the Hot Cider Hustle, a 5K and 10K at 137 National Plaza in National Harbor where every finisher gets an event shirt, hot cider, a caramel apple and a finisher mug. Entry fees range from $14.99 to $74.99. Costumes are practically mandatory on this date!
November Brings a Bridge Crossing and a Veterans Tribute
Bay Bridge Run, Sunday, November 8. The Bay Bridge Run is the only chance to run or walk the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which is normally closed to pedestrians. Runners cross the 4.35-mile span from Anne Arundel County and finish at Chesapeake Bay Business Park in Queen Anne’s County. The 10K costs $114.98 through November 1 and rises to $125.93 after that. Shuttles run to the start from parking in both counties.
Bulldog 5K Turkey Trot, Saturday, November 14. This early Bulldog 5K Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament School on Chevy Chase Parkway NW, giving DC runners a holiday warm-up two weeks ahead of Thanksgiving.
Salute to Veterans, Saturday (11/14) or Sunday (11/15). The Salute to Veterans race in Springfield offers a 5K, 10K and half marathon.
Marine Corps Turkey Trot, Saturday, November 21. The Marine Corps Turkey Trot sends runners along the tree-lined roads of Marine Corps Base Quantico, with a 1-mile race and a 10K that starts at 10 a.m. on Catlin Avenue beside Lejeune Hall. The course winds back along the Potomac River.
Thanksgiving Morning Turkey Trots Cover the Entire DMV
Thanksgiving lands on November 26 this year, and the region’s biggest trots all run that morning.
SOME’s Trot for Hunger, DC. The 25th annual Trot for Hunger at Freedom Plaza is billed as DC’s largest turkey trot, and it raises money for meals, housing, healthcare and job training. The timed 5K costs $65, the Little Turkey 1-Miler is $15 and the Best Dressed Turkey pet costume contest is $25. Registration is online only, with no race-day sign-ups. Metro Center and Federal Triangle are the closest stations.
Arlington Turkey Trot. The 21st annual Arlington Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. in front of Lyon Park Community Center. More than 4,000 participants are expected, and proceeds benefit ten Arlington nonprofits including the Arlington Free Clinic and Culpepper Garden.
Alexandria Turkey Trot 5 Miler. The Alexandria Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. at 1005 Mount Vernon Avenue, near the Braddock Road Metro stop.
Turkey Chase Charity Race, Bethesda. Dating back to 1982, the Turkey Chase is run by YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase and the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary, and this year’s 44th edition offers an in-person 10K, a 2-mile walk and run at 9 a.m. and a Tot Trot, plus virtual options. The start and finish sit at the large white tent at 9401 Old Georgetown Road.
Columbia and Prince William trots. In Maryland, the Downtown Columbia Turkey Trot 5K starts at 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway. Virginia runners farther out can head to the Hero’s Bridge Prince William Turkey Trot, a 5K and 1-miler at Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center in Manassas.
Turkey Burnoff, Saturday, November 28. Leftovers can be worked off at the Turkey Burnoff, a 5-mile or 10-mile race at 8 a.m. in Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg.
December Closes the Race Year With Jingle Bells
Jingle 5K, Sunday, December 13. Pacers Running brings back its holiday race as the Jingle 5K on Ohio Drive SW. Last year’s race started and finished beside the West Potomac Park softball fields, with a $100 Pacers gift card for the overall winner and a $150 gift card for the best team costume.
Register Early and Plan Your Race Morning
Races are spread from Freedom Plaza and the Pentagon to National Harbor, Annapolis, Baltimore and Quantico, and entry fees range from about $15 for kids’ miles to more than $125 for late Bay Bridge registration, with most marathon and half marathon pricing varying by date and charity option. Several races close online registration before race day, packet pickup is often required in advance and Metro is the easiest option for downtown starts.
The Capital Runner‘s DC race calendar is a useful place to track smaller local events. Follow Cody on Instagram!
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