I do not usually run 5K races. I focus on longer distances, Half Marathons and Full Marathons, but this race holds a place in my heart. This year is the second annual "Race for Every Child" and this year was bigger and better than the last and I am sure that next year will be just as good.

The race raises money for the Children's National Hospital Foundation and this year it surpassed its goal of raising $1 million dollars just from this race!!! There are thousands of runners hitting Pennsylvania Ave. to celebrate the lives of those that Children's National has helped through the years. The most touching moment comes when families and children get up and talk about their experience at the hospital including how helpful the doctors were, and how, without the hospitals help, they would not be able to stand there today.

The race starts on Pennsylvania Ave. just a couple of blocks from the White House and begins the race by running southeast towards the Capitol before turning south to cross the mall. As we cross the mall you come to the first mile marker as well as the first water station just after it. You head across Independence ave. and into Southwest DC for a few blocks before going back west on Independence Ave. in front of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum before turning around and heading back towards 3rd Ave and back across the National Mall. Once you make that final turn on Pennsylvania Ave you are around the 2.25 mile mark and have a long strait road ahead of you until the finish line.

You finish with the Capitol behind you and the White House in front you. I cannot think of a better way to finish any race. After you cross the line Children's provides all the runners with water, gatorade, fruits and other snacks before heading out.

CONCLUSION: Although it will never be the most difficult race I have ran, it is one of my favorites. Not only does each runner have the opportunity to give to such a worthy cause, but they also have the chance to run on some of the most beautiful roads in America.