This is another one of my favorites in D.C. It runs through downtown D.C., past the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery, and ends at the inspiring Iwo Jima memorial. The course ends the same place the full marathon ends so you get to feel all the same excitement and spirit. Plus it's motivating to see the wounded warriors and others racing on hand-bikes and all the Marines along the course are super supportive.

The race is very well organized and I love the UPS trucks they use to take your bags from the start to the finish line so everything is nice and convenient. Their end of race goodies booths are the BEST. Dunkin Donuts, free food, ice cream, free swag -- and it's conveniently along the route you walk to hop on the metro and head home.

The only thing I don't like is both years I've done it, they ran out of smaller shirts so I end up with this AWESOME cool-weather running shirt that is 2-3 sizes too big for me :\