'Tis The Season To Be Running

Christmas is just around the corner and we all know what that means: last-minute shopping, endless holiday parties, traveling, entertaining out-of-towners and copious amounts of delicious food. Make running a priority during the holiday season and we guarantee it will make a difference in your life. Whether it helps you unwind after a stressful day of shopping or makes you feel more confident about the holiday treats you’ll be enjoying over the next few days, the impact of running around the holidays is always positive. Here’s a list of local runs and races to keep you fit and healthy over the holiday season!

City Running Tours - Arlington/Potomac River Run: Enjoy a morning run along the Potomac River. The 6.2-mile route includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Iwo Jima Memorial and Theodore Roosevelt Island National Park.
Saturday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m.; $25
Georgetown Running Company, 3401 M St. NW, Washington, DC

Jingle Bell 5K: Take a 1-hour drive out to the Shenandoah Valley for this family-friendly holiday race. Tie bells on your shoes and go mad from all the jingling on a course that makes a loop around Blandy Experimental Farm’s scenic arboretum grounds. There will also be a Winterize Your Kids race at this event. All kids 10 and under are encouraged to run this race, which will be held during the 5K.
Saturday, Dec. 17, 9:30 a.m.; $5
Blandy Experimental Farm, 400 Blandy Farm Ln. Boyce, VA

City Running Tours - National Cathedral/Zoo Run: Spend Sunday morning on a 7.45-mile route through McLean Gardens/Woodley Park to the National Cathedral, onto the Naval Observatory and the National Zoo and then back through Rock Creek Park to historic Georgetown.
Sunday, Dec. 18, 9 a.m.; $25
Georgetown Running Company, 3401 M St. NW, Washington, DC

6th in the City Running Club: If you're a 20 or 30-something in the Washington metropolitan area, lace up your sneakers and hit the streets for a fun run around town, followed by a brunch.
Sunday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m.; For new members, the cost is $12 (includes Running Club T-shirt and headband)
Meet at the Foggy Bottom Metro and run along the Rock Creek Park Trail to Cleveland Park

Tidal Basin 3K: Looking for a fun way to incorporate your workout into your workday? Go for a run along the Tidal Basin during your lunch break! Tidal Basin Runs are free and held on the third Wednesday of each month. If you’re looking for a shorter run, show up 15 minutes early (at 11:45 a.m.) for a 1.5K run.
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 12 p.m.; Free
Hains Point, 927 Ohio Dr. SW, Washington, DC

City Running Tours - Georgetown/National Mall Run: Don’t miss a great opportunity to work out before the Christmas festivities begin with this 6.4-mile looped run through historic Georgetown, down the Potomac River and onto the National Mall. Get ready to run past the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the Korean War and WWII Memorials, the Washington Monument and the White House. This is a perfect run to go on with a friend or relative visiting for the holidays. Show them around town and get a great workout while you’re at it!
Saturday, Dec. 24, 9 a.m.; $25
Georgetown Running Company, 3401 M St. NW, Washington, DC

Be sure to check back with us in a few weeks for our comprehensive list of the best New Year’s races in the area. Get ready to ring in the New Year with a great workout!

Please feel free to e-mail us at monica.boland@gmail.com or sharkdoctor1@hotmail.com.