Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In-person registration is free through Oct. 11. If registering Oct. 12 – 16, there is a $50 registration fee to join the in-person 5K and $30 for the Kids Dash. Recognition swag is not included with registration. No day-of registration will be available.

Virtual registration is free regardless of registration date.

No. Registration will close for in-person and virtual participation at 7 p.m. ET the day before the Race.

 No. Only registered participants with official bibs may participate in the 5K. We welcome others to enjoy the family-friendly activities on Freedom Plaza and cheer on participants. Or visit the Volunteer Tent to see if opportunities are available.

All Kids Dash runners (ages 3-10) are required to register to participate in the 100-yard dash. This requirement is in place to ensure the safety of all families participating. Registered Kids Dash participants are also eligible to participate in the 5K with their Kids Dash bib. No additional registration is necessary.

Register with your email address, but add your child’s name, information and participation details (if joining the 5K or Kids Dash, T-shirt size, age, goal, etc.) for all other prompts. When you sign in with your credentials, you’ll be able to manage and track their unique fundraising page alongside your own.

We are on a new and improved platform! Team Captains will need to re-launch their teams by creating a new fundraising page for themselves as captains and for their team.

No. A donation to a team’s page does not count as a registration. You must register individually and select to “Join a team.”

We’ll be sharing our top fundraising tips (PDF) soon, including ideas from other participants! Be sure to download the Race for Every Child app (iOS or Android) and reach out if you have any questions along the way.

Search for your employer’s matching gift policy here. Follow the matching gift guidelines to submit your company’s form, according to the steps listed in the search information.

Each company has a different payout schedule. Some prefer to payout matches monthly while others send disbursements biannually. Please see the company policy for specific disbursement schedules. If the company claims that the match has been sent, please email us to ensure it is properly allocated to your fundraising page. You can also email our Gift Administration team or call 301-565-8500 with questions regarding matching gifts.

Yes. In most cases, you can designate a fund when submitting the matching gift request. If the check doesn’t list a fund, the matching gift will be restricted to mirror the designation or appeal of the initial gift. If we are unable to determine the original gift due to lack of donor detail in the report, or if the donor wants to remain anonymous, we will use the listed designation on the check (if applicable) and the matching gift appeal that corresponds to the current fiscal year. We only deviate from the original gift designation when explicitly stated by the matching gift company.

No. Recognition swag is not included in your registration. Individuals who fundraise at least $50 are eligible for the T-shirt and $100 to earn a baseball hat.

No. To qualify for a T-shirt or other recognition swag, each individual team member must fundraise at least $50 on their individual fundraising page(s).

If you plan to attend the Race in person, you can pick up your eligible recognition items at Packet Pick-Up or at on Race Day at the Recognition Tent on Pennsylvania Ave., based on your fundraising level achieved.

Virtual participants will receive any eligible items in the mail prior to Race Day based on fundraising as of Oct. 1.

Yes! If you earned a long-sleeved T-shirt and want to swap sizes, please visit the T-shirt Exchange, a self-service station, located by the Recognition Tent on Freedom Plaza. Participants will be able to exchange for any available T-shirt size(s).

No. Race merchandise is not for sale on Race Day or after the event.

Yes! Please bring any cash or check donations to the Donation Tent on Pennsylvania Ave. NW. You can also donate online here.

– 7 a.m.: Check-in and activities 

– 8 a.m.: Opening Ceremony

– 8:45 a.m.: 5K starts

– 10 a.m.: Kids Dash starts

The 5K is an out-and-back course that starts at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., heads toward the U.S. Capitol and passes iconic monuments.

The Kids Dash is a 100-yard run on Pennsylvania Ave. NW for children ages 3-10. We ask kids line up by age in between 12th Street and 13th Street NW. The Kids Dash start line is on 12th Street and the finish line is on 13th Street. Look for entrance signs.

The Kids Dash course has a designated parents’ lane, so parents may follow along while their child participates. You may accompany your child if they are 3 or 4 years old and unable to dash without help or if your child has a medical condition and requires assistance.

Yes! All Kids Dash participants are welcome to join in the 5K. Registered Kids Dash participants are also eligible to participate in the 5K with their Kids Dash bib. No additional registration is necessary.

Yes! We encourage those with strollers to line up at the back of the starting line. Your bib will record your time from the moment you cross the starting line to the time you cross the finish line. If running with a stroller, please seek out less crowded parts of the roadway, especially during the first half mile. Volunteers with pace markers will be at the starting line to help you. There is also a stroller valet located on 13th Street NW between E Street and Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

Yes! We encourage those pushing wheelchairs to line up in the back of the starting line. Your bib will record your time from the moment you cross the starting line to the time you cross the finish line.

For security purposes, please drop off your bags at the free bag check at Freedom Plaza.

Yes! Dogs must always remain on a leash. Please take the weather into consideration when bringing your furry friends out on Race Day.

There is no food available for purchase on Race Day. However, we do provide post-Race snacks at the finish line for bibbed participants.

Water bottles are available at the finish line for bibbed Race participants.

The Lost and Found is located at the Information/Volunteer Tent on Freedom Plaza.

Portable restrooms are located along the perimeter of Freedom Plaza.

Results will be shared live during the event (link to be announced closer to Race Day). The top three male and female finishers will receive awards at the Main Stage following the conclusion of the race.

Yes. EMTs are on-site at the Medical Tent. The Medical Tent is located on the corner of 13th Street NW and Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

Go to the Medical Tent on the corner of 13th Street and Pennsylvania Ave. NW to request assistance.

• Bib(s) with a timed tracker (5K)
• Bib(s) without timed tracker (Kids Dash), if applicable
• Safety pins
• Qualifying recognition swag (raise at least $50 to earn a T-shirt!)

Packets are not available to receive by mail. Please plan to pick up your packet(s) accordingly.

Yes! We encourage you to pick up your packet early so you can avoid the lines on Race Day. Collect your Race bib and qualifying recognition items at one of the following locations.

Wednesday, Oct. 14 | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• Most Recommended! Inventa Towers, 1st Floor, Large Conference Room (Temporary parking available for 15 minutes at front entrance.)

Thursday, Oct. 15 | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• Hospital employees and patient families only! Children’s National Hospital, Main Campus, GEICO Cares Atrium

Friday, Oct. 16 | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• JW Marriott Washington, DC, Main Floor, Penn Avenue Terrace (Rideshare or Metro is strongly encouraged!)

You can pick up your packet on Race Day at Freedom Plaza from 7 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. We strongly encourage you to arrive by 7 a.m. to avoid long lines.

Please check in at the Bib Pick-Up Tent upon your arrival. From there, you will be directed to the Recognition Items Tent to pick up your eligible items.

Yes, you may pick up for another participant.

You may also pick up for all your team members. Please allow additional time when you arrive at packet pick-up. To help facilitate a team pick-up, email us in advance to let us know your plans.

There is no designated parking for Race participants. We encourage you to carpool, take public transportation or bike to the Race site. If you decide to drive, please plan for enough time to find street or garage parking. (A list of nearby parking options will be provided by our friends at JW Marriott closer to Race Day.)

Shuttles will run from Children’s National Hospital from 6:30 a.m. until noon on Race Day. The shuttle drop-off and return meeting location is on the corner of 13th Street NW and E Street NW.

We encourage all our generous sponsors to visit the Sponsor Welcome Tent on Race morning.

If your team raises $10,000 or more by Oct. 1, there will be a tent with a hanging banner with your team’s name, tables and chairs available for you on the morning of the Race. Plus, your team captain will receive a scheduled time for your team photo. All scheduled team photos will take place at your designated time at the Children’s National step-and-repeat backdrop.

Team tents are on Pennsylvania Ave. NW, by the Champions Tent and the Main Stage.

Champions Club members raise $1,000 or more and earn an exclusive quarter-zip sweatshirt, as well as access to the Champions Tent for breakfast and beverages on Race Day, along with three guests.

The Champions Tent is on Pennsylvania Ave. NW, located near the Main Stage. We will provide wrist bands for access.

Look for the big #RaceForEveryChild block letters on Freedom Plaza. This is where you can add a personal note dedicated to the person or people you want to honor on Race Day and beyond.

Available volunteer opportunities will be announced closer to Race Day.

Please email us with any questions.

We strongly recommend public transportation, rideshares and/or street parking. There is no pre-arranged parking. (A nearby list of parking options will be provided by our friends at JW Marriott closer to Race Day.)

Yes! We can either provide a volunteer letter or we can sign your own documentation. Email us or ask us in person when you volunteer.

Our Water Station, Cheer Station, Bag Check and Packet Pickup shifts are great for groups. If you are interested in organizing a group to volunteer, please email us and let us know.

Please meet at the volunteer check-in tent on Freedom Plaza.