Fall in Love 10K and 5K Run & Walk

*Update as of 10/7/2015*

Note from Special Love:
We were truly sorry to have to postpone the “Fall in Love 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk” after Hurricane Joaquin threatened to join the race. Ironically, the hurricane could be a metaphor for what happens when a family’s everyday routine is suddenly swept away in the stormy chaos of a childhood cancer diagnosis. Unlike our close brush with Joaquin, however, the chaos of cancer can have aftereffects that continue well into survivorship, assuming a child is fortunate enough to reach that milestone. That’s why Special Love was founded – to provide a sense of normalcy and hope at a time that feels anything but. We’re grateful that you signed up to participate and delighted to announce that thanks to our generous race sponsors, 100% of your race registration will be directed toward Special Love’s camps, financial aid, and community of support for Mid-Atlantic children with cancer and their families.

We’re just as happy to announce that we have a make-up date and a NEW VENUE to share – the “Fall in Love 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk” will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31st, at the C & O Towpath (near Whitehurst Freeway; GPS Address: 3500 Water St NW, Washington, DC 20007)

*NEW!!* Since we had to re-schedule for October 31st, we’d like to invite you to come to the race all dressed up in your best costume (costumes are optional)! Put on your craziest, best, scariest, or most unique costume and get ready for five or ten kilometers of howling fun!

We will be offering prizes to the BEST in the following 3 categories:
• Most Unique/Creative
• Scariest
• Best Costume Overall
• Winners will be announced after the race and during the awards ceremony; winners must be present to win
• Please make sure your race bib is attached to the OUTSIDE of your costume.

*UPDATE as of 10/1/2015 - Hurricane Joaquin Alert*

Hi Runners,

Unfortunately, the National Park Service announced today that Anacostia Park (including other will be closed this weekend due to inclement weather (Hurricane Joaquin). Consequently, we have no choice but to postpone the race (originally to be held Saturday, 10/3) and cancel tomorrow's packet pickup at the 19th St City Sports (both to be re-scheduled). We are actively looking into rescheduling options and will keep everyone posted as soon as we know more. Thank you for your patience as we get through what is predicted to be a rainy weekend! We'll send out a followup email in the next few days with updates.

Stay Dry this weekend!

 

The Fall in Love 10K and 5K Run & Walk is a great way to support Mid-Atlantic children with cancer and their families, all while enjoying a scenic run (or walk) along the Anacostia River. Special Love sponsors retreats, like the week-long Camp Fantastic, that give young cancer patients and their families the chance to get out of the hospital to enjoy traditional camp activities and a community of support made up of people who understand what they’re going through. Special Love also provides financial assistance in the form of emergency relief and college scholarships.

Packet Pickup
Saturday, 9/26 – 10am-1 pm at City Sports (Bethesda)
Bethesda Row, 7121 Arlington Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20814 - (301) 718-1007
*Get 20% off your ENTIRE in-store purchase (excluding electronics) on packet pick-up date at City Sports (Bethesda). Your race bag will also contain coupons for 20% off a single item for future use.

*NEW* Thursday, 10/29 – 5pm-8 pm at City Sports (19th St NW) - *NEW*
1111 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 - (202) 467-4100
*Get 20% off your ENTIRE in-store purchase (excluding electronics) on packet pick-up date at City Sports (19th St). Your race bag will also contain coupons for 20% off a single item for future use.

Saturday, 10/31 - Race Day pick-up will be limited, so please only utilize this option as a last resort.

Race Day Timeline:
8:15am - Runners will assemble near the race start area at the C & O Towpath near Whitehurst Freeway. When you get to the end of K Street, there are a set of stairs to your right – go up those stairs to the C & O Towpath. Volunteers will direct participants to the race starting line.

9am – Race Start! Runners will depart in waves.

The New Course:
We will meet at the C & O Canal Towpath near Whitehurst Freeway (GPS Address: 3500 Water St NW, Washington, DC 20007). We will post the official map as soon as it’s available. The best address for GPS and directional purposes is 3500 Water St NW, Washington, DC 20007.

*NEW* Costume Option *NEW*:

Since we had to re-schedule for October 31st, we’d like to invite you to come to the race all dressed up in your best costume (costumes are optional)! Put on your craziest, best, scariest, or most unique costume and get ready for five or ten kilometers of howling fun!

We will be offering prizes to the BEST in the following 3 categories:
• Most Unique/Creative
• Scariest
• Best Costume Overall
• Winners will be announced after the race and during the awards ceremony; all winners must be present to win
• Make sure your race bib is attached to the OUTSIDE of your costume and is VISIBLE.

Getting There by Metro:

The Rosslyn Metro is ¾ mile away – walk across the Key Bridget and take the stairs on either side down to the Canal. There are footbridges across the canal that lead to stairs on Water St. Walk back toward the bridge and you’ll see us! Rosslyn Metro info: http://www.wmata.com/rail/station_detail.cfm?station_id=41. Map of route from Rosslyn Metro: https://runkeeper.com/user/samdstout/route/4074417.

The Foggy Bottom Metro is 1 mile away – from the rotary, walk west on K St towards the waterfront. If you follow the waterfront park, we’ll be just on the other side of Key Bridge! Foggy Bottom Metro info: http://www.wmata.com/rail/station_detail.cfm?station_id=40

Please check the Metro website for any service changes that may be in effect during the weekend of the race.

Getting there by Taxi:

UBER – transportation in minutes with the UBER app!
First-time riders on Uber can use Promo Code: uberGOODTIMES (https://www.uber.com/invite/uberGOODTIMES) to get their first ride for free (up to $20.00)! If you’ve never used UBER before, download the UBER app to your smartphone. Uber uses GPS and Wi-Fi to pick you up, or you can enter the exact address where you want to be picked up and dropped off. Once you’ve set your location and vehicle option, tap “Set Pickup Location” to request your ride. Use this address as your drop-off location: 3500 Water St NW, Washington, DC 20007

LYFT – transportation in minutes with the LYFT app!
First-time riders on LYFT get a free ride up to $10. If you’ve never used LYFT before, download the LYFT app to your smartphone. LYFT uses GPS and Wi-Fi to pick you up, or you can enter the exact address where you want to be picked up and dropped off. Once you’ve set your location and vehicle option, tap “REQUEST RIDE” to request your ride. Use this address as your drop-off location: 3500 Water St NW, Washington, DC 20007.

Getting there by Car:

GPS Address: 3500 Water St NW, Washington, DC 20007. The race site (starting line of the C & O Towpath) is essentially at the very end of K St, which turns into Water St.

From VA: From the Key Bridge, take a right onto M St. Take M Street towards Wisconsin Ave (major intersection). Continue on M Street and make a right on Wisconsin Ave, 31st, 30th, or 29th Street, and go down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, make a right onto Water/K Street and take the road all the way to the end. You can park along this street (metered parking). Alternately, you can park north of M Street in the residential areas.

From MD (via Clara Barton Parkway and Canal Road): From Canal Road, continue straight onto M St NW. Take M Street towards Wisconsin Ave (major intersection). Continue on M Street and make a right on Wisconsin Ave, 31st, 30th, or 29th Street, and go down the hill. At the bottom of the hill, make a right onto Water/K Street and take the road all the way to the end. You can park along this street (metered parking). Alternately, you can park north of M Street in the residential areas.

From MD (via Wisconsin Ave): Take Wisconsin Ave all the way down to K Street (turns into Water St). At the bottom of the hill, make a right onto Water/K Street and take the road all the way to the end. You can park along this street (metered parking). Alternately, you can park north of M Street in the residential areas.

Parking Near Event:

If you plan to drive to the race, follow the driving directions above. There is parking (metered) along Water Street. Please make sure to arrive early enough to find parking, and warm-up!

Parking Options

Race Start Location