National Women’s Half Marathon & 8K
Washington, DC
- Half Marathon, 8K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The National Women’s Half Marathon and 8K will start and finish at West Potomac Park in the heart of the excitement that is Washington DC! Both the Half Marathon and 8K Road Race will run through the majestic beauty that is Washington DC. Runners will pass national monuments like the … MORE
Local Historical Weather (May 02):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 62 | 84 | 90 | 59 | 79 |
| L (°F) | 49 | 69 | 64 | 50 | 55 |
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Lack of signage ruined race
This could have been amazing - perfect weather, great views, flat and fast course. But the turn off for the 8k (to separate from half marathon) was blocked off with … MORE
This could have been amazing – perfect weather, great views, flat and fast course. But the turn off for the 8k (to separate from half marathon) was blocked off with cones and there was no one there to explain what was going on or direct runners. Completely ruined the race, adding a ton of time in what could have been a PB. So disappointing how poorly this was handled.
Solid DC Half
A solid DC Half covering some iconic DC areas. The beginning is pretty flat but it gets hilly in the back. Not a ton of crowd support through the first … MORE
A solid DC Half covering some iconic DC areas. The beginning is pretty flat but it gets hilly in the back. Not a ton of crowd support through the first few miles but it goes by the start so you get some crowd support there. A little tricky to get to the start as there’s no parking close by.
Women's Runs are Always Fun!
I ran in Delaware with the National Women's Race Series so I knew that it was a smaller group and I enjoy Women focused runs because they tend to be … MORE
I ran in Delaware with the National Women’s Race Series so I knew that it was a smaller group and I enjoy Women focused runs because they tend to be more relaxed and positive. The packet pickup was fine – in a running store so no expo and they were both located in VA so it took me forever get there from MD. I knew it would be a smaller race and it was which was fine. They could have used more port-a-potties and the start (this is a women’s race!). It was raining which was a bummer but did help to cool things down since it was kind of humid – nothing anyone can control. I had my husband drop us off near the start and it was a quick drive in since it was early on a Sunday. We used the bathrooms then went right to the start. I was running the half and a friend was running the 8k. The course itself was nice – generally flat and we were running along the Potomac and the park. It was an out and back so we were seeing a lot of green and trees (a nice change for being in the city). The aid stations were fine – I just picked up water from them and had brought my own gels. There were spectators at some points but since we weren’t running through neighborhoods not many but it was also fine. With it being a women’s run I find that people are more encouraging and cheering each other on as we’re all running. The finish line didn’t really have a lot of space for any celebrations or reunions. You found your people and left – they had water, bananas, pretzels, and granola bars. Some sort of sports drink or juice of some sort would have been nice. The medal was really pretty and the medal and shirt were my favorite part of the whole thing! I’m trying to run a half marathon in every state and felt like I should also run DC on principle so the convenience of this race is really why I chose it. I knew it would be smaller and more laid back and everything was totally fine – just as I had expected it to be.
Smaller race on a flat course
This was a smaller race with less hubbub surrounding logistics. The start time for the 8K runners was TBD in the pre-race communications up until the race started. We arrived … MORE
This was a smaller race with less hubbub surrounding logistics. The start time for the 8K runners was TBD in the pre-race communications up until the race started. We arrived at 7 and the race kicked off around 7:20. There were few cheerers, likely because of the pouring rain. But this was an easy course and race overall.
Pretty Okay
I have a couple criticisms, but all in all the National Women's half was a solid half. The course does do a good job of looping past the monuments - … MORE
I have a couple criticisms, but all in all the National Women’s half was a solid half.
The course does do a good job of looping past the monuments – so if your a tourist, there are some nice photo ops. The course support was good, the volunteers were attentive (I have seen other small races with teenagers not paying attention).
The out and back from Mile 5 – 10 was lame, but necessary when running in the city limits, it’s easy to get that permit.
Running along the Potomac was nice.
I did feel like the back of the pack support was there, the EmCee was still welcoming finishers after the 3hr mark. They only had water and green bananas at the end though… I am a big fan of the post race party, so the lack of one was upsetting.
I am a DC local so I biked/walked to the race start, so I can’t speak to parking. The police/emt were very present and made me feel safe.
Nice flat race with no traffic
Loved seeing some of the DC monuments along the way and enjoyed a flat course with no traffic. Great support about every two miles. Small race with mostly women, although … MORE
Loved seeing some of the DC monuments along the way and enjoyed a flat course with no traffic. Great support about every two miles. Small race with mostly women, although men are allowed to enter the race.
SWAG was a T-shirt and a medal that serves as a wine bottle stopper.
Nice course, wish the weather was better
Great race support! Similar course to the cherry blossom 10 miler so relatively flat, lots of monuments to see. Plenty of aid stations along the way and great camaraderie. The … MORE
Great race support! Similar course to the cherry blossom 10 miler so relatively flat, lots of monuments to see. Plenty of aid stations along the way and great camaraderie. The weather was not great but that is outside their control (temp was cool which was nice but the steady rain was not). Made for lots of blisters! Nice shirt and medal. I’m a back-of-the-pack runner so there was very little food left but a banana and granola bar are fine for me.