Courtesy of the Capitol Hill Classic
Sometimes it’s motorcades. Other times, it’s 3,500 runners — and a few pint-sized speedsters– who slow you down as you try to get across town. Sunday May 18th is the 35th Annual Capitol Hill Classic, a major fundraiser for the Capitol Hill Cluster School (comprised of Peabody Primary, Watkins Elementary and Stuart Hobson Middle), and you’ll want to plan accordingly to avoid the closures along the route.
The earliest closures begin at 8am. The final portion of the course to reopen will be the loop around Stanton Park will reopen about 11:30am. The Metropolitan Police Department will allow vehicles to cross the course when they may do so safely; however, they will not be allowed to turn onto the course itself.
You may find maps and additional race information here. The route includes the Capitol, Supreme Court, Library of Congress and down East Capitol to RFK Stadium. The 10k is a fast, USATF-certified course.
The 10k starts at 8:30 a.m. with the 3k following about 10:30 and the fun run at approximately 11 a.m. It might be a good idea to keep your dogs away from the park as last year there were a few hundred small fry outpacing their parents as they loop Stanton Park.
If you want to support the schools or just get that blood pumping, registration is open right up to race time. Packet pickup is available at Peabody on Friday, Saturday, and the morning of the race. Keep in mind that lines can be long for race-day registration.