Dig In Your Heels Nov 1st

The Friends of the National Arboretum 5K is coming up. Here are details:

Register now for FONA’s annual 5k race and family fun walk!

Put on your running or walking shoes and come to the arboretum on Sunday, November 1st for the Friends of the National Arboretum’s (FONA) annual 5K race and family fun walk. For the first time, FONA is partnering with Girls on the Run to hold the event. Girls on the Run is an international non-profit organization serving preteen and adolescent girls. The DC chapter holds 12-week character building programs that culminate in a 5k race. Proceeds from the race at the arboretum will benefit the Washington Youth Garden, a program co-sponsored by FONA and the U.S. National Arboretum for inner-city children, ages nine through twelve.

The November race is the only organized running event at the arboretum. The 5K course travels along the roadways connecting the arboretum’s collections and gardens and offers glimpses of specimen trees in full fall color. Families, children and walkers can also participate in a Family Run route. Following the race there will be an awards ceremony and a local-themed Community Connection Fair and Activities tent, which will introduce event participants to local organizations and businesses that highlight health and the environment. All participants receive a free t-shirt.

Because of the number of runners expected this year, all roads on the arboretum grounds will be closed to vehicles until 11:00 a.m., except those connecting the major parking lots. The New York Avenue and R Street Gates will both be open, with participants and visitors directed to available parking. Car pools are recommended.

The 2009 Dig In Your Heels 5k starts bright and early at 9am on November 1st. This year's race is professionally certified! Sign up now to reserve your spot!

$25 pre-registration
$35 pre-registration + FONA membership
$30 day-of
Kids 13 and under FREE!
Already registered? Review your registration here.

Important
Packet pickup and late registration will take place at the Georgetown Running Company (3401 M Street, NW) on Friday, October 30, from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again on Saturday, October 31, from 11:00 AM until 4 PM.

Parking
Please note that parking inside the Arboretum is extremely limited: carpooling is strongly encouraged. The 5th district police precinct has given permission to park on Bladensburg Road along the Arboretum fence until noon. Parking is also available along R Street, which is just outside the R Street gate entrance to the Arboretum. Please allow yourself enough time to park before the race!
The Washington Youth Garden is partnering with Girls on the Run--DC this year. Girls on the Run is an international non-profit serving preteen and adolescent girls. The DC chapter holds 12-week character building programs, culminating in a 5k race at the end of each program.

We are also partnering with the Washington Running Report, DC's premier racing website. Runners from all over the DC-metro area visit the Washington Running Report's website for up-to-date information on races in and around DC.

See photos from last year's Dig In Your Heels race in our photo gallery! A special thanks to our photographer, Glenda Kapsalis, for donating her time to produce these wonderful photos.

Held annually in November, Dig In Your Heels 5K and Fun Run offers something for everyone in the family. Hills challenge the avid runners, walkers stretch their legs, and a jogging juggler leads the smallest in a fitness parade! Enjoy fresh good-for-you snacks, healthy how-to's and plenty of fun fall activities as you show your support for Washington Youth Garden.