Participated in this event October 30, 2022. Never did a live race before and want all live races…read moreto be like this. The announcer was fantastic. The energy in his voice helped esp since cold mornings can be rough. There was a mini ceremony (complete with canon firing & flags?) before the start, but with all the people, very hard to actually see. All the Marines handing out water & giving high fives along the route was uplifting. There was even a marching band playing around mile 2, and the Fireball shot between miles 2 & 3 answered my secret prayers. Apparently, each person's name is announced crossing the finishing line (yea, didn't know this & totally missed it LOL). The participation shirt and medal was top notch, and it was cool to be crossing a state line into VA. More snacks, liquids (the non-alcoholic beer was good), freebies, even a one-size-fits-all "jacket" and entertainment at the end was great. Those Marines are talented (made a u-turn just to hear Dua Lipa's Don't Start Now).

The MCM10K is run in conjunction with the Marine Marathon. So, if you're not crazy enough to run a…read moremarathon distance but still want to get in on the excitement of Marine Corps Marathon weekend, the 10K is a great race. It's a fairly new race, having been added initially as a 5K around 2006, then upgraded to an 8K and now to a 10K. The course mostly follows the last 6.2 miles of the marathon. Despite the shorter distance, the field was around 10,000 runners, none of whom were treated like second-class citizens compared to the marathoners. The scenery isn't quite as interesting as the Army 10-Miler since you have to do a jaunt through non-descript Crystal City. But, you still start on the Mall, pass the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery and end at the same spot as the marathon near the Iwo Jima Memorial. Check-in was very well run and the expo was well-attended. Great runner schwag, although the mock-neck shirt was a heavy-weight cotton shirt and not a technical shirt. The race itself was run flawlessly and it's an honor to receive a finisher's medal from a Marine officer after the finish. A great race.

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.

I've done this race over ten times but this will probably be my last one. The logistics are a…read morenightmare and they seem to be getting worse as the race field keeps getting larger. The Metro used to open at 5am for this race. Now it opens at 7am. The first train got there at 7:50am. So definitely find another way to get there if you are in waves 1-4. The start and finish used to be near bag check. This changed a long time ago but it still sucks and the shuttle lines are longer than ever. The start/finish areas are really confusing due to the sheer volume of people in the area. It's not completely clear where and how far everything is. The race, itself, is great. The course has changed but it's still nice and the atmosphere is awesome. There aren't as many people cheering as Cherry Blossom or Marine Corps Marathon but it's still fun. It's very crowded but that should be expected and other DC races are just as crowded. If you can park at the Pentagon, you're staying nearby, or can run/bike over you're probably fine. For anyone taking the Metro, plan on joining wave 6 or later. Maybe wave 4-5 if you go straight to the start without stopping.

The Army Ten Miler takes my breath away…read more Cue song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4a6ampIGao). Literally. Yesterday was my second attempt at running the Army Ten Miler. My first attempt was in 2010, I had an asthma attack and found metro at mile 3 to go to urgent care. This year, I was determined to finish, although I had tight lungs and difficulties early on. I don't know what it is about this race or the time of year, it's weird cause I only have issues with asthma only twice in the last decade, so maybe I'm allergic to men in uniforms (in that case I'm jumping off a bridge now cause that makes me sad), or maybe unbeknownst to my knowledge the race course is filled with dust and cat dander (only two triggers I can think of). Overall, I'm glad I at least finished and would have to say it's well run and well organized race. But let's break this down into the official rules, the good and the bad: Rules: -Mobile phones, mp3 players, ipods, and headphones are prohibited. No joke.There are security checks and you are subject to so they may find these items and make you check them in. I saw people stopped for headphones on the course too. I suggest you bring your own pedometer, because although they say they have mile markers for every mile, no one in my wave saw signs for the first three miles, I had to ask someone with a pedometer where I was. I felt so lost without my run keeper app on my iphone. -Bag check in requires that you use the clear plastic bags they provide. You will need to dump out the contents of any purse or bag into the plastic bag. -The race is organized by waves by pace, you can move down a wave to a slower pace but not move up. The Good: It's just awe inspiring to run one of the world's largest ten mile races along side wounded warriors, ROTC, and Santa Claus. The course is as flat as can be. The Army volunteers are amazing. Little do people know that many of them have been there since 1:30 am setting up, and by the time our wave rolled around they were getting a little loopy and hilarious on their megaphones. They joked about getting the water from the Potomac, warned against peeing off course etc. etc. This race is loaded with spectators, with clever signs. The runners were actually thanking them for coming out, and then they were thanking us, it was just a race of shiny, happy people all around. The bands along the way are even good (they never played Journey! YES!) Tons of people who saw me running in a Red Sox cap shouted predictions about them winning the world series. I love you all. My friend found me at the finish line, and didn't cheer for the wrong person this year!!! The Bad: -The last two miles are a let down and utterly boring. I would have killed for some music or entertainment at this point other than a witnessing a road rage incident on the 14th street bridge. There are no spectators, and it's along side a highway. The finish line will not come into sight until you are few feet away. -It's a healthy twenty minute walk from the finish line to the start line, and there are no signs to tell how to get back to where you started. There are shuttles available though. -Because this event is so popular, expect lines for everything, getting on the metro, getting off the metro, getting through security to go into the corrals, bag check, shuttles and food/water at the end.I would recommend adding time to travel to accommodate. -Although the packet picket at the Stadium Armory is pretty efficient and they offer free parking, I would recommend never driving there. The traffic is awful, the lots are often full and the DC parking enforcement is out in full force ticketing (just walking up to the stadium I saw an entire row of cars with pink tickets although the signs indicated it was ok to park at those hours). Metro is the right way to go. I would say this is one of the must do DC races, I might need a lung transplant to do it again but Hooah!!

Race fees. During…read morethese tough economic times some might consider this a luxury item. Anyone can just hop on their bike or throw on some running shoes and get a great workout for free. So what do you really get for your race fee? "a Date". That's right.... you have a date on your calendar. We all say we're going to get up and go for a 6am run on Monday, but how often does that happen? Once you commit to the race, you're much more likely to get your butt out of that warm, comfy bed and put your running shoes on. "the Experience". Sure, you can join various local running or cycling groups, but where else can you meet up with a few hundred other like minded athletes to push and challenge yourself to run or ride your hardest and fastest? How cool is it to give your child the opportunity to watch from the side lines as mommy or daddy races past them, sometimes giving out a high-five as they go by? "aid stations". Multiple aid stations are set up every few miles on the course ready to offer water, Gatorade and medical attention, should you need help while out on the course. Staff and volunteers are set up with radio communication for any possible situation that might arise. "action photos". High hopes to be the fresh face for Nike or Under Armour? Brian Knight Photography is out on the course catching your athletic endeavors.... leaping across a creek, tumbling down shock-a-billy, scrambling up the rocks at Rocky Gap, or your relieved expressions upon seeing the finish line. "a marked course". Feeling apprehensive about checking out a new area by yourself? Afraid you might get lost out in the wilderness? If you're like me, I never trail run or mtn bike by myself solely for safety purposes. Too bad all the trails I ride don't have "XXX"danger signs when approaching a crazy rocky descent! "post race party". Fresh, hot Papa Johns pizza awaits you at the finish. Instant gratification for getting out of bed early in the morning. Fruit, granola bars, yogurt, cookies, M&Ms, and other refreshments are provided at every race. Great prizes such as Ipods and gift certificates to running stores like VA runner, and the Bike Lane are also given out during the awards ceremony. "fond memories". You'll always remember picking up your pace to pass the girl in front of you so that you could get on the podium. You'll remember your off road 1/2 marathon finish time. You'll remember how you felt when you rocked shock-a-billy in front of a crowd of spectators. When you bump into a complete stranger wearing the EX2 hat, or race T-shirt, you'll find yourself curious as to which race he or she participated. I've raced in a few EX2 events, and volunteered for many more. I have had the pleasure to see the race experience from both sides, and I know how much hard work goes into putting together a well run race with high levels of support. I also have experienced the feelings of camaraderie with fellow athletes, the joy of crossing the finish line after a particularly difficult physical challenge, and the satisfaction of knowing I was able to push myself farther than I ever imagined. When you consider all of this, the race fee becomes more of a long term investment in yourself.

EX2 Adventures trail running and mountain biking races are awesome!…read more These races are planned by runners, for runners. This isn't some elementary school fundraiser or overcrowded destination race where all they care about is your entry fee. If you are a runner, you know what I'm talking about. These aren't the kind of races where they charge inflated entry fees for a crappy cheap t-shirt with a hundred logos on it, a couple cookies and a warm bottle of water, and lines around the block for overflowing port-o-lets. Oh no, the people at EX2 Adventures are very well organized and actually care that you have fun. Case in point, in April I ran the final race of the 2010 Spring Backyard Burn series out in Prince William Forest Park, Virginia. The EX2 Adventures sponsors gave away so much post-race food and prizes, I really felt like I came out way ahead of what I paid in registration fees. Beyond gorging myself on pizza and other goodies after the 10 mile trail run, I also randomly won a gift certificate for a half hour massage for having the worst race injury; a set of ridiculously bloody nipples. I've only ever participated in the Backyard Burn races, but have heard great things about the Cranky Monkey mountain biking and Greenhorn Adventure races. If you are looking for a fun and challenging adventure you can't go wrong with an EX2 event.

I am reducing my review down one star because I hate people…read more Not the runners and spectators tho, I love you all, hugs and kisses! I mean the tourists. That's right, the tourists that take a grilled cheese and a banana from the runners. You know like when the runners are waiting in line for Cabot (the race sponsor) to get grilled cheeses and you walk up with your dog and grab the last two and then proceed to only eat half of each and throw them away in front of us. AT LEAST GIVE THEM TO YOUR DOG. That's fine, I just ran 9.46 miles (the race was shortened this year due to an accident), I don't need nourishment. I'll sit here and snack on my saliva. Never mind I have no saliva, I'm dehydrated. Oh wait, are you carrying bottled water that says "Cherry Blossom 10 miler" on it? Where did you get those? Why are there 3 extras in your pockets? Hey you want this t-shirt and medal too? I bet you are going to go home and telling your friends, "you must visit DC they give away free bananas, bottled water and grilled cheeses on the streets." Then more of your moron friends will visit next year and take bananas and grilled cheeses. I hope that eventually the race has a runners/spectators only where people can pick up their after race treats, but as usual, the race course was lovely this year, and the blooms were in full force. There was a last minute glitch this year (a pedestrian was hit and hurt before the race) and the race organizers routed us around it. It cut off more than a half mile, but it's amazing they were so effective and responsive with such short notice. This year was the only year that having a race at the same time as having thousands of tourists in town and I guess this really bothered me because everything became a 1,000x more inconvenient. It's the only time where the race coincided with peak blossom too. It even impacted traffic to the packet pick up as well. Whether you drove or metroed to the pick up at the National Building Museum there was still hella traffic. Next year, I plan on just training hard so I can finish faster and then guard all the post race snacks. I'll be like the race Robin Hood and give to the needy and not the greedy. Despite these gripes, I would still totally do the race again, but this time I would order a medal, so I can use it to knock someone upside the head with it so I can get my grilled cheese on. By the way, whoever said "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy" is a liar.

First time in the Cherry Blossom but it won't be my last…read more Parking: People that ran the 10 mile race had to find their own transportation. Thankfully the run happened on a Sunday, so it was free parking on the side streets. Park a little early, because it does fill up with people coming from MD and VA. What I found strange, was they had their own section for the medals. You had to walk through the crowd and find a tent for the medals. Overall, it was a great race. The cherry blossoms were bloomy and the tourist was hyping and cheering the racers pass the finish line. It was a great experience.

Read the bad reviews, so I have to comment. It's Saturday night and this place is awesome. They are…read morepumping the cars through in less than a minute! And it was on $10 to get in.

25dollars to watch test and tune Friday nights?? Seriously!!! I use to come every other Friday…read morewith friends n family. Not any more. And because prices so high only about 15-20 people racing. Shameful

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...