Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
Make plans to participate in the annual Patriot Run.
The 11th annual George Washington Patriot Run takes place Sunday, Sept. 13, at George Washington's Mount Vernon, with a 10-miler and a 5K along the Potomac River and a finish line in view of the Mansion. Registration rates rise Aug. 17, the last of three pricing tiers before race day.
Through Aug. 16, the 5K costs $52 and the 10-miler $72. From Aug. 17 through Sept. 13, those prices climb to $62 and $82.
This year's race lands during the country's semiquincentennial, and Mount Vernon is leaning into the milestone — billing the event as a chance to mark 250 years of American independence on foot, on ground the first president farmed.
The course
The 10-miler starts at 7:15 a.m. and the 5K at 7:30 a.m. Both use a five-mile stretch of the George Washington Memorial Parkway — both lanes — running from the GW Parkway Circle to W. Boulevard Drive. Mount Vernon posts a 10-miler course map, a 5K map and elevation profiles for the 10-miler and the 5K on the event page. The overall event window runs 7 to 11 a.m.
At the finish
Every participant gets a commemorative technical T-shirt and a finisher medal engraved with Washington's bust. A Finish Festival follows with music, food and beverages, including one free beer per runner; the Mount Vernon Food Truck sells breakfast items until 11 a.m. and hot food starting at 10. Awards go to the first-place overall finishers, to age-division winners, and in Military and First Responder categories.
Spectators need separate tickets, available through Mount Vernon's checkout page.
Parking
There is no general on-site parking for the race. Mount Vernon asks runners to buy a parking pass during registration to guarantee a spot. The parkway will close from the circle to West Boulevard Drive from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Lockheed Martin sponsors the race. Registration is open at RunSignup, which also hosts the event FAQ. Mount Vernon is at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway.
