‘Tis the season for running races. From early November through the end of 2024, you can meet your step goals while honoring veterans, wearing a turkey onesie or laughing all the way. Options run the gamut—ahem—from 5K flat courses to half-marathons on, well, still pretty flat courses. Most are dog-friendly and offer shorter distances for younger athletes, too. So lace up, burn some calories and earn that pumpkin pie.
Veterans Day 5K and 1K
Nov. 10, 8 a.m.
Take I-66 west to Fairfax Corner to participate in this race (there’s a virtual option, too) honoring our nation’s military veterans. With a course time limit of 60 minutes, runners must be able to maintain a pace of about 19-minute miles. Awards will go to the top three overall male and female finishers in the live race, and to the top three male and female age group finishers in various age brackets. The brackets are organized in five-year increments, from 14 and under through 80 and older. Registration fees run $30-$45, depending on which race you choose and when you sign up. // 4100 Monument Corner Drive, Fairfax
Warrior Yomp
Nov. 16-17, 6 a.m.-6 a.m.
Ever wanted to run 50 miles in 24 hours? Your chance is coming up during the Allied Forces Foundation’s first U.S. Yomp. A yomp (“your own march pace”) is a military hike that you take at your own speed, but with an emphasis on long-distance endurance. Since 2013, this event has been held in the Scottish Highlands, but this year it’s coming to Gravelly Point next to Reagan National Airport. On the roundtrip course, yompers will pass the Military Women’s Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, trek through Theodore Roosevelt Island, and continue along the C&O Canal Towpath. Registration costs $200 through Oct. 31. // Gravelly Point, Arlington
Sixth Annual Tysons Rotary Turkey Trot
Nov. 17, 8 a.m.
Finish line aside, the goal of this 5K run/walk is to raise money for local charities such as the Falls Church-McLean Children’s Center, HopeLink Behavior Health and Pimmit Hills Senior Center in Falls Church. Registration is $35 through Nov. 16 and $40 on race day. // 1776 Tysons Blvd., Tysons
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Salute to Veterans 5K/10K/Half Marathon
Nov. 17, 8 a.m.
This race in honor of military vets circumnavigates the relatively flat Lake Accotink Park trail in Springfield. Veterans run free and finisher medals will be awarded. If you can’t make it in person, opt for the virtual run ($35) and submit your time online. For non-veterans, the 5K registration fee is $35, the 10k is $40 and the half is $60. // 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield
10th Annual Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation 5K & Family Fun Day
Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Part race, part party, this event celebrates the life and legacy of Jennifer Bush-Lawson, an Arlington mother and avid runner who died in a 2014 traffic accident. After having three complicated pregnancies and NICU babies, she worked to ensure medical care for moms and newborns in need—an effort the foundation continues today. Sign up for the certified 5K, the Family Fun Day or both. The carnival promises moon bounces, laser tag, a rock wall and live performances. Registration is $40 for the 5K alone, or $50 for both the run and Fun Day. (A la carte tickets to the Fun Day are $25). // Knights of Columbus, 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington (Yorktown)
America’s Trot for Hunger
Nov. 28
Join more than 10,000 runners on Thanksgiving morning at D.C.’s Freedom Plaza in support of the nonprofit So Others Might Eat, which helps residents of the nation’s capital who are experiencing homelessness and poverty. The 5K course passes by iconic D.C. sights such as the National Mall and U.S. Capitol. Got a budding runner? Sign them up for the Little Turkey 1-Miler. Can’t make it in person? Complete the race virtually between Nov. 1-30. Registration fees are $65 for the in-person 5K, $35 for the Little Turkey (ages 10 and younger), $45 for the virtual version, and $15 for the virtual Little Turkey. // Freedom Plaza, corner of 13th Street, N.W. and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.
Arlington Turkey Trot and 5K Fun Run & Walk
Nov. 28, 8 a.m.
Ready to earn those Thanksgiving calories? The 19th annual Thanksgiving Day event kicks off at Arlington’s Lyon Park Community Center with a finish line at the Virginia Square Metro station. The mission: “to provide an opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy a fun, healthy Thanksgiving activity together, and to raise support for 18 local nonprofits listed on the Trot’s Beneficiary Page.” This year’s beneficiaries include The Clothesline for Arlington Kids, Borromeo Housing and Arlington Thrive, among others. Up to 4,000 runners participate in this beloved event, which routinely sells out, so don’t wait to sign up. Registration is $50 for adults or $25 for kids ages 6-17. // 414 N. Fillmore St., Arlington (Lyon Park)
Ugly Sweater Dash 5K, 10K & Half
Nov. 30, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Burke Lake Park is the setting for this hilariously unfashionable holiday outing, with varying course lengths to suit runners and walkers of all abilities. The race benefits Paws for Purple Hearts, an organization that provides assistance dogs and canine-assisted therapeutic programs for warriors facing mobility challenges and trauma-related conditions such as PTSD. Race fees are $30 for the 5K, $45 for the 10K and $65 for the half marathon until Nov. 15, when prices jump by $5. // 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station
Langley & McLean Crew Turkey Trot 5K
Nov. 30, 9 a.m.
Support the Langley and McLean high schools’ crew teams with a run or walk around Langley High and the surrounding scenic neighborhood. Post-race celebrations will feature treats and live music. Registration costs $35 before Nov. 1 and then $50 Nov. 2 through race day. // 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean
Holiday Half and 4-Miler
Dec. 15, 8 a.m.
Take in the scenery around Annandale’s Wakefield Park, Lake Accotink and the Gerry Connolly Cross Country Trail as you make your way along this festive course. The top three overall male and female finishers of the half-marathon and 4-miler will get awards, as will the top three male and female finishers in five-year age group increments. Pre-registered participants get a full-zip hoodie, medal and certificate. Registration costs $70 for the half or $50 for the 4-miler through Nov. 15, when the price increases by $5 each. // 8100 VA-620, Annandale
Jingle Bell Run
Dec. 15, 8 a.m.
Don your best (running-friendly) holiday gear and take your marks along the starting line at Westpost for this 40th annual 5K through Pentagon City and Crystal City. Choose between timed and untimed options, a Kids Run and a virtual race. Participants are invited to fundraise for this event hosted by the Arthritis Foundation. Registration costs $40-$50, depending on the type of run and when you register. // 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (National Landing)
Jingle 15K & 5K
Dec. 15, 8 a.m.
For both distances, the race is a flat course that winds through the streets of downtown D.C. with views of the monuments and Potomac River. Runners are encouraged to dress up in holiday costumes with jingle bells to add a little musical accompaniment and merriment to race day. Strollers and dogs on nonretractable leashes are welcome. The registration fee is $50 for the 5K or $70 for the 15K before Nov. 23, when both increase by $5. // 2 15th St., NW, Washington, D.C.
Winter Wonderland 5K & 10K
Dec. 22, 7:30-10 a.m.
The views in Great Falls will take your mind off the chilly morning temps as you run this race, which benefits Girls on the Run Northern Virginia, a nonprofit that seeks to empower girls through physical activity, companionship and decision-making skills. Fees to register are $30 and $45 for the shorter and longer options, respectively. But after Dec. 15, the price increases by $5 each. Note that there is an additional $20 park entrance fee. // 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Snow Dash 5K & 10K
Dec. 28, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Take to the trails at Wakefield Park in Annandale in support of K-9 Caring Angels Therapy and Service Dogs, founded to train and donate psychiatric service dogs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and other challenges. Prefer to walk? No problem. Need to push a stroller as you go? Also fine. Registration costs $30 for the 5K and $45 for the 10K through Dec. 15, when prices go up $5 each. // 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale