Schedule and packet pickup
Packet Pickup
We always do packet pickup on race morning starting one hour prior to the start of the race. We'll be at the race site Saturday (11/14) from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm to do an early bib & shirt pickup.
Salute to Veterans 5K/10K/Half Marathon - Metro Washington DC 2026
- Date
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Start time
- 8:30 AM start (New York)
- Location
- Springfield, Virginia
- Entry fee
- From Free · goes up to $57.50 on Nov 8, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
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Registration is open.
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Official race websiteAdd to calendar: Apple or Outlook · Google
Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10k-Mail Me My Swag | 10K | Nov 14, 20268:30 AM | $55 | – |
| 5K-Mail Me My Swag | 5K | Nov 14, 20268:30 AM | $50 | – |
| Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Nov 14, 20268:30 AM | $55$57.50 after Nov 8, 2026 | – |
| Half Marathon-Active Duty | Half Marathon | Nov 14, 20268:30 AM | $15 | – |
| Half Marathon-Mail Me My Swag | Half Marathon | Nov 14, 20268:30 AM | $70 | – |
| Half Marathon-Veteran | Half Marathon | Nov 14, 20268:30 AM | Free | – |
| 10K | 10K | Nov 14, 20268:33 AM | $40$42.50 after Nov 8, 2026 | – |
| 10K-Active Duty | 10K | Nov 14, 20268:33 AM | $15 | – |
| 10K-Veteran | 10K | Nov 14, 20268:33 AM | Free | – |
| 5K | 5K | Nov 14, 20268:36 AM | $35$37.50 after Nov 8, 2026 | – |
| 5K-Active Duty | 5K | Nov 14, 20268:36 AM | $15 | – |
| 5K-Help then Run | 5K | Nov 14, 20268:36 AM | $15 | 3 |
| 5K-Veteran | 5K | Nov 14, 20268:36 AM | Free | – |
| Virtual 10KVirtual | 10K | Nov 15, 20268:30 AM | $37 | – |
| Virtual 5KVirtual | 5K | Nov 15, 20268:30 AM | $37 | – |
| Virtual Half MarathonVirtual | Half Marathon | Nov 15, 20268:30 AM | $37 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Register on RunSignup
The Half Marathon fee goes up to $57.50 on Nov 8, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- 10k-Mail Me My Swag: $55 until Nov 2.
- 5K-Mail Me My Swag: $50 until Nov 2.
- Half Marathon: $55 until Nov 7, then $57.50 until Nov 14, then $60 until Nov 15.
- Half Marathon-Active Duty: $15 until Nov 15.
Online registration closes Nov 15, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $55, entry is about 21 percent below a typical half marathon in Virginia, which costs $70 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a half marathon in Virginia runs 2:10:08, about 9:56 a mile, based on 34 races with published results. Women typically finish in 2:19:26 and men in 2:00:18.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:49 AM, and the 10k-Mail Me My Swag starts at 8:30 AM. The start sits about 240 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA 22150
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.
2025 results
All results (2 years)Half Marathon
176
finishers
2:10:07
median (9:56 /mi)
1:27:29
winning time
43% / 57%
women / men
5K
157
finishers
36:00
median (11:35 /mi)
20:21
winning time
55% / 45%
women / men
10K
130
finishers
1:06:16
median (10:40 /mi)
43:35
winning time
40% / 60%
women / men
Aggregated from official results (Five Star NTP) for Salute to Veterans 5K/10K/Half Marathon - Metro Washington DC. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at Salute to Veterans 5K/10K/Half Marathon - Metro Washington DC?
At the 2025 Half Marathon, the fastest tenth finished in 1:46:01 or better, the top quarter in 1:55:51, and half the field in 2:10:07; the last tenth came in after 2:52:20.
At the 2025 5K, the fastest tenth finished in 26:03 or better, the top quarter in 30:09, and half the field in 36:00; the last tenth came in after 58:17.
At the 2025 10K, the fastest tenth finished in 49:10 or better, the top quarter in 56:40, and half the field in 1:06:16; the last tenth came in after 1:35:47.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 1:50:23 | 1:36:20 |
| 30-39 | 1:56:45 | 1:40:12 |
| 40-49 | 1:55:16 | 1:43:48 |
| 50-59 | n/a | 2:14:00 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Finishers by year
Up 189 percent since 2024.
160
2024
463
2025
All events combined, from official results.
Salute to Veterans 5K/10K/Half Marathon - Metro Washington DC Half Marathon year by year
From 2024 to 2025, the field went from 38 to 176 finishers, and the median time rose from 2:06:27 to 2:10:07.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 176 (+363%) | 2:10:07 | under 1:46:01 | 1:27:29 |
| 2024 | 38 | 2:06:27 | under 1:48:12 | 1:34:59 |
From each year's official results for the Half Marathon; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
Slower than most Virginia half marathons
The fastest quarter of the 2025 half marathon field finished under 1:55:51, against 1:52:10 in a typical Virginia half marathon, so times here run 3 percent slower.
- 5K: Slower than most Virginia 5Ks. The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 30:09, against 28:55 in a typical Virginia 5K, so times here run 4 percent slower.
- 10K: Slower than most Virginia 10Ks. The fastest quarter of the 2025 10K field finished under 56:40, against 53:41 in a typical Virginia 10K, so times here run 6 percent slower.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around November 14 the day usually runs from 40°F at dawn to 57°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 24% of days. Cold snaps dip to 33°F and hot years reach 70°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
From the race's page
What the organizers of Salute to Veterans 5K/10K/Half Marathon - Metro Washington DC cover on their registration page, in brief.
Schedule and packet pickup
Event Schedule
Nov. 5. Deadline for guaranteed shirt in your size. Nov. 14. 7:30 AM - Race Day Check in and Registration opens. 8:30 AM - Half Marathon Starts. 8:33 AM - 10K Starts. 8:36 AM - 5K Starts. Nov. 15. 7:30 AM - Race Day Check in and…
Course
Course & Timing
It's not completely flat, but it's no where near hilly so it safe to say FLAT & FAST!!! Besides that, you'll be so busy having fun, that you won't even notice. Click below for course map: 5K Course. 10K Course. Half Marathon. Water…
Shirt and medal
Awards and Goodies
Participants registered on or by Nov. 7 are guaranteed an awesome shirt. Great Custom award medals in all races as follows: Overall Veteran M/F (still eligible for Overall and Age-group awards). Top 3 Overall M/F. Top 3 Overall Masters M/F…
Rules and FAQ
Event Courtesy Policy & Refund Policy
Our events are designed to be fun for the entire family. With that in mind; any competitor, spectator, parent, volunteer, or sponsor, exhibiting unsportsmanlike conduct or interfering with the positive, competitive atmosphere of the event…
The cause
Charity Partner
Five Star NTP is proud to have Team Red, White & Blue as the Charity Partner for the Salute to Veterans races across the country. Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) is America's health and wellness community for Veterans. We were founded by…
Race details
- Where
- 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA 22150Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 240 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K, 10K, Half Marathon
- Editions
- 2026 (Nov 14, 2026), 2025 (Nov 16, 2025), 2024 (Nov 17, 2024)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Salute to Veterans 5K/10K/Half Marathon - Metro Washington DC?
- Saturday, November 14, 2026, starting at 8:30 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at Free before processing fees, and rises to $57.50 on Nov 8, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Nov 15, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Virginia?
- At $55, entry is about 21 percent below a typical half marathon in Virginia, which costs $70 right now.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K, 10K, Half Marathon.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 176 runners finished the Half Marathon; the median finish was 2:10:07 and the winner ran 1:27:29.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 half marathon field finished under 1:55:51, against 1:52:10 in a typical Virginia half marathon, so times here run 3 percent slower.
- Where does it start?
- 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA 22150.
- Is there a course map?
- Yes, the organizers publish the route on MapMyRun; the link is under Start location and course.
From the organizers
NEW THIS YEAR...
Race on Saturday (11/14) or Sunday (11/15)...We had such a big turn out last year, we're going to spread everyone out. (600 per day cap)
Have all your swag mailed to you...all you'll need to do is show up to the start line.
Join us at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, VA for the Salute to Veterans 5K/10K/Half Marathon, a meaningful race dedicated to honoring the brave men and women who have served our country. Whether you’re running in tribute, alongside a veteran, or as a veteran yourself, this event is a powerful way to show gratitude and community support.