Just finished the walk yesterday...39 miles!!! This was an amazing event to take part in. Everyone…read morewas so nice and the energy was amazing. I met so many great people and heard so many amazing stories. The fund raising was a little hard at times (this year Avon Walk DC raised 8.1 million!!) and my feet have never hurt so bad but I would definitely do this walk again and encourage anyone thinking about it to register and walk. You won't regret it.

My sister-in-law is doing this in Washington DC. It's a 39-mile walk over two days to raise money…read morefor breast cancer research. Let me know if you're interested in donating to her team.

The expo was located at the Armory. It was very conveniently accessible by the Metro. It was…read morehowever not very convenient if you're headed there straight from the airport with your luggage. You have to go through security check before entering the building where the expo was held. If at all possible, I would recommended checking into your hotel first and dropping off your stuff before headed there. There was plenty of exhibitors selling last minute race items and souvenirs. If you've forgotten anything, you'll find it here. The starting line was at 14th St NW and Constitution Ave NW. Gear check was just South on Madison Dr. RnR Races usually use UPS trucks for checking in gear bags, but this was the first time that I've seen them use yellow School Buses. The entrance to the buses were small and the volunteers were unable to accept bags as quickly as they normally do at other RnR races. So there were long lines just to check your bag. Portpotties were a plenty, however they placed most of them in the starting corrals. This caused problems with lines because people are still trying to use them when the race started. The course was deceptively challenging. Almost after every turn, you're faced with a steady climb. I loved all of the sights and the areas that we covered over the 26.2 miles. Marathoners run about the first 12 miles with the half marathoners. Both races finished at the RFK Stadium.

I made ALL the newbie mistakes, y'all. Mostly it was a lack of attention to details on my part…read morebecause residency is kicking my butt so hard right now, but a lot of this could have been better. I got rushed into registering because of price increases but then there was this super incredible sale in December. Missing a deal is always so devastating. Then I forgot about the marathon until almost March. Turns out that weight lifting does not prepare one for a marathon. I failed to ask if my friend was allowed to bring my waiver and collect my bib (the answer is yes). I also failed to clarify whether we could pick up our packet on race day (the answer is also yes). I subsequently spent almost three hours in traffic roundtrip with the sole purpose of collecting my bib during the health expo and jetting home. I failed to check the start times of street closures and had the Uber drop me off 2 miles from the start line at o'really early in the morning. I failed to bring sunglasses. I failed to eat enough breakfast or the provided pre-race bananas and became hungry as soon as I crossed the start line. I slept fitfully for about 4 hours and woke up thinking about work so I arrived at the race already feeling super lousy. I failed to bring an extra listening device in case of limited battery on my phone, which happened even though I had it on battery saver, and this enabled me to brood in silence for like, 14 miles, on the bane of my existence that is residency. The weather was 33 and sunny: still cold enough to freeze your sweat but sunny enough to give you a sunburn. With a start time of 0700, my corral (4) crossed at 0703. My friend did the half, but her corral (17) didn't cross until almost 0900 with a start time of 0830. We spread out super quickly and I imagine this is why so many people are able to PR on this course. Very limited sideways running. Can't say the same for the half marathon. There were definitely more people and a hell of a lot more walkers. Minor hills here and there. The pot-holed pavement route wasn't ideal, even for pavement runners. There were positives: There was so much food from the neighborhood cheering squads! I had cinnamon rolls, donut holes, and candy upon candy. There were also offerings of adult beverages and other food goodies. The signs and encouragements were great! My favorite was a lady on a megaphone: "You guys are sooo fast! You're faster than everybody behind you!" And two things I did right: Bringing a checked bag with warm clothes (which also helped hold my post-race goodies) and grabbing a free slice of pizza (might only be for marathoners). Next time: Pick up water and bananas pre-race. Look at street closures and times they close and reopen. Pick up bib on race day. Consider gloves (my hands never warmed up the entire race). Bring a light jacket in case it gets cold during the run (which it did wherever there was shade). I don't have a habit of training mostly due to lack of willpower and exponential hunger after four miles but since this is a near ideal course to PR or qualify for Boston, I'd consider it. Get dropped off or park closer to the start (I'm still not a fan of having to shuttle from the finish line parking by 0530, which leaves an hour and a half of waiting before start time). Have no work obligations and stay for the concert. I really wanted to poo-poo this race. The medal was not a stunner, the organizers took out the finisher jackets, and there were many stretches of silence. But overall it was very well organized, the spectators were phenomenal, and the optimal chance of PRing alone deserves stars.

As a brain tumor survivor I go to the Dc Race every year. It's he best. Entertainment. Always a…read moreton of tables with food and activities. The kids get a medal The wall of hope is awesome and who wouldn't want to warm up with an America idol! Stay in a hotel near freedom plaza so you don't have to worry about parking! The tribute to survivors in the beginning of the walk is beautiful!

Every year, over 10,000 registered runners participate at Race for Hope. It is a well organized…read morefund raising event for brain tumor research. Wall of Hope and survivor's tent always makes me choked up. The weather in the early morning has been crisp and fm refreshing every year. The kind spirits and the will to go on are contagious. At the finish line, there is water table, banana, bagel, and cold drinks for everyone. The area is well guarded and secure. Until next year.

This is my second time running Rock n Roll DC Half Marathon. Aside from running 13.1 miles, I had a…read moreball and definitely would like to run this half next. Expo: Runners were to pick up their bibs and running materials from the Walter E. Johnson Convention Center in DC, which has plenty of space for a large race expo. I thought the expo was a bit meh, because there was not much merchandise. Ok, there was some RnR DC merchandise, but not what I wanted. However, I really wanted a magnet for the fridge, but there were none to be found at the expo. I think the limited amount of RnR-sponsored merchandise is probably due to folks not really having an interest in purchasing things at an expo...especially when you can get these items at a cheaper price from other vendors. Overall, I though the crowd flow at the expo was fine because bib and T-shirt pick up was a breeze even though it was a bit overcrowded during the post-work hours. The Half: I thought the RnR DC Half Marathon has very nice course that takes runners through many points of interest in DC. Some sights include the Washington Monument, Lincoln Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, Rock Creek Park, Howard University, and several historic DC neighborhoods. For the most part, the course is very chill with a huge EXCEPTION of an uphill climb around 7.75 miles. For this hill in Rock Creek park, runners will have to do a near 150ft climb, so you have been warned. While there is an intense uphill climb in Rock Creek Park, a good chunk of the last part of the half is downhill (from Mile 10 onward) with a couple of small climbs. I thought the folks at RnR and DC did a great job will street closures, course management, and bag drop/pick up. I just wish the folks at RnR could work with the city to open the metro a bit earlier on race day for folks who live in outskirts or outside of the city. On weekends, the metro opens around 7 am, but that does not provide enough time to use public transportation from my neck of the woods to the start by 8 am. Yes, Ubering is an option to get to the start, but due to the road closures near the start, traffic can be a little rough. While I drove myself to the race, I decided to park near DuPont Circle, which was about a 1.5-mile walk to the start. LOL, I learned from my mistakes of taking an Uber to last year's half. What happened last year? The traffic was so bad, that I ended up renting a city bike to bike the remaining 3 miles to the start. Upon arriving near the start area, there were no available docks to park the bike, so I had to ride another 1.5 miles away from the start area to dock the bike, THEN I had to jog/run to the starting area. I was really lucky bc I managed to drop off my bag with only seconds to spare. The post race festivities were fine. I did not stick around too long after I redeemed my free beer and Fit Vine wine. I thought the 90s tribute band was pretty awesome.

Fun point-to-point half marathon, but don't underestimate the hills in some DC neighborhoods! The…read morerace started on the National Mall near Constitution and 14th St, and ended at RFK stadium. You run by some landmarks such as the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Kennedy Center, but I wished you'd see more!! As with any other Rock n Roll race, everything went very smoothly. From pre-race communications to the Expo to the Start/Finish Lines, we were well informed as participants and knew exactly what to expect before showing up on race day. Since the race ends a few miles away, don't forget to bring a topped up Metro card or have a pre-planned ride home because the line at the Stadium Metro station was super long with people waiting to use the ticket vending machines!

For those of you who are wondering what am I doing in DC? well I bucket listed another Half…read moreMarathon with NIKE!!! My 6th half marathon with NWM. What can I say? It was the best out of all the half marathons I've ever done. What makes it spectacular? Hmmm 13.1 miles filled with historical scenery & beautiful weather but over all running with your BFF's beside you on your birthday weekend. Through the course, such a great support system and 15,000 runners right by your side. Mile 1-3 you run passed the US Capitol, the National Gallery of Art, National Archives, Freedom plaza and the White House. Mile 4-8 you run passed George Washington University, WaterGate, The Kennedy Center, Roosevelt Island, Arlington Cemetery, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, and 9-13 Washington Monument, The Holocaust Museum, Bureau of Engraving, Tidal Basin, Jefferson Memorial and George Mason Memorial. Such a memorable run, which I think I'll run all over again!! BTW I just love the little blue box See you next year DC!!!

Still a great race. I am lucky to have run it two years in a row. A little more crowded this year…read morebut still efficient with the start times, no bottlenecks on the course, and easy packet pick up.The best part of this years race, the supporters! Particularly, the three bros with the following signs: Bro 1 sign: swipe right Bro 2: one word TINDER. Bro 3: I'm here for the 14:1 ratio My regret is that I did not run back to take a picture! Until next year...

Hey, guess what? I…read morejust sneezed a rainbow! That's right, I tasted the rainbow and my body spit it out! If you run the color run, be prepared to have colored chalk in places you didn't think of. Ears, nasal passages, coating the cilia in your lungs (like asbestos fibers do and then develop into mesothelioma). After the Hot Chocolate 15k, I was hesitant to run another race at the National Harbor, but this race went off without a hitch. Parking was free and plentiful with police guiding us to the correct garages. The race started early, the course was fun, and the volunteers were great. Also they had unicorns. Please note this race is just frivolous fun. It's not timed, very few people are legitimately running, no elite runners flew in from Kenya, so just get your friends together, wear your nastiest and oldest set of sneakers, get the kids and make a fun Sunday morning out of it. Stick around for the after party too, it feels like a rave. Be sure to register early too!

I don't know how they did it but Color Run had me paying $35 bones to run: a free activity that I…read moreusually avoid like the plague. But I took their promise of it being "the happiest run on Earth" seriously and was pleasantly surprised for being fully satisfied with my experience. A few things to note: - Sign up early! This event sold out within forty five minutes. - Pick up your packet up before the event to avoid a major headache. - Arrive early -- traffic getting into the National Harbor is horrendous! - This event is not timed so if you are more of a walk with swagger kind of gal like myself you won't feel uncomfortable. They also release participants in waves so you won't get trampled by crazed speed demons on the way out. - Stay for the color party on the way out, spectators can join in as well! I had so much fun running in and out of the color sprays at every kilometer and then throwing the color packets at the dance party at the end. What's better is that the color fun lasts for a few full days! Imagine my surprise when my sister coughed and purple dust came flying out of her mouth or when I cleaned my ears out and found an orange and green Q-tip surprise! This is the closest thing I've gotten to becoming an actual rainbow breathing unicorn in my entire life.

This race was so much fun. At one end was a stage where the drag queens performed. On the…read moreopposite end was the race finish line. I got to the finish line about two hours before because I wanted to see what the big deal was. The entire time you see the costumes of the runners as they walk up and down the street. There were a couple of Beyonces, Melania Trumps, Donald Trumps, the lasted comic characters, and some people I couldnt figure out what they were. Then the race starts. The drag queen who won looks like a professional runner. He was a light speed ahead of the other runners. He was in it to win it. You can go by yourself if you want. But if you do go, do not go with a bunch of people. Take one or two friends and preferably your tall friends. You will enjoy it.

Yes yes yes. This event was amazing. There is quite a crowd so short people might want to get a…read morespot early like an hour before. But what fun. For an hour before the race starts you start to see drag queens walk up and down the street (17th between P and R). There is music and laughter. This is an overall enjoyable event that breaks up very quickly after it is over. No bathrooms available unless you go into local businesses. No seating available, standing room only. You can request assistance if needed. The actual race only lasts 10-15 min but it is so exciting. It is so fun to watch people express themselves in different costumes from Halloween, pop, political, eccentric, movie themes, etc! Plenty of people took a tumble towards the end of the race. And in general, the contestants were okay with pictures. A must in the DC area around Halloween!

When I received an email from the race organizers at around 6am on race day that said the…read morefollowing, "because of the combination of high heat and humidity and for YOUR SAFETY today's LHH 10K race is being changed to a 5K race." I knew what group of people I had to send that message to for a good laugh: TEXANS. After reading a couple of snarky comments about how they would make the race longer in Texas on a perfect 90 degree and 90 percent humidity day, I was ready to get my sweat on. When I started training the day before I was looking forward to the challenge of a 10k, but I'll take a 5k. Despite the fact that the race is always organized during the hottest times of the year and they act suprised when the weather doesn't cooperate, the race is very well organized (a race that involves lawyers has to be), and benefits The American Heart Association. They have packet pick up the day of, the course starts at the beautiful harbor in Georgetown, lots of give aways, and lots of water stops. They even had ice sponges to prevent you from overheating, see that's proof that lawyers do have a heart and most of them aren't cold blooded! I recommend this race not only for the charity it benefits, but for the fact it is one of the last few races you can do before the running dead season in the summer.

This year the 10K was changed to a 5K last minute due to heat as the other yelper mentioned, I was…read morea little disappointed at first as this was going to be my first 10K race, but it's a race full of lawyers so I won't judge.. and I ran a 5K PR. Packet pick up was a breeze and my buddy and I found parking pretty easily the day of the race. My main gripe was with the layout of the corrals and where everything else was. It seemed like where ever you wanted to go, it was on the opposite side of the corrals/finish line. We picked up safety pins by the waterfront and had to push our way past the starting line into the corrals. We finished the race and wanted some coffee.... other side of the finish line. It would also be nice if at least a portion of this race was on M street since it is in Georgetown... not that the Whitehurst Freeway isn't scenic and all. Pros: Post race goodies General location Ice Sponges!! Course change communicated prior to leaving for race Not many kids/dogs/walkers Cons: Layout made getting around very hard Course not scenic considering location All in all, unless a 10K was a good fit with another training plan I have going on at the time, I think I will skip this one in the future.