Navy 5 Miler Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Kathy D.
San Francisco, CA

  (03-29-2010)

"Although there were 2 other races in the VA/MD/DC area the weekend I was visiting, I chose the Navy 5 Miler because the race was actually held in DC, with the course running through Potomac Park.

Packet pick-up was the day before at the Pacers Run Store in Clarendon. That was right off the Metro line, and it also happened to be 'Clarendon Day' so the town was pretty festive when I picked up my race packet. We got a long sleeve participant shirt, a water bottle, a towel, and a special Navy 5 Miler coin in our goody bag.

The start/finish line was within walking distance to the Foggy Bottom Metro line, and the race was a flat, out-and-back course. The weather was humid, and I was already starting to sweat waiting at the start line. What I didn't like is they prohibited iPods, so I left mine back at the hotel, but I saw others wearing theirs.

Because it was an out-and-back, you get a chance to see everybody, whether they are faster or slower than you. You get to see various military units running together in large packs. The best part was seeing the guy who juggled 3 balls the entire 5 miles while running! Post-race, there were tons of food, and it was a very friendly atmosphere. I left right after the awards ceremony, and it was only 10:30am with plenty of time to do some sightseeing.

This was my first race outside of CA, and I am so glad I ran it when I did because in 2009, they changed the race location to Arlington, VA."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008