Half marathon #183 is in the books!
Today I ran the Spring Cleaning half marathon in Georgetown (DC.) The charity for this race was We Finish Together, an organization that takes donated medals, attaches a message, and distributes them to those who need a kind word…hospitals, children’s programs, senior programs, etc.
The race was put on by Bishops Events. They give 25% of each race’s profits to a specific charity and organize around 150 events in the Virginia and DC areas.
This was the fourth Bishop race I have done, and the third at this location, the C&O Canal towpath in Georgetown. Their races are usually small, 75 to 100 participants, but well done and with generous time limits. They even have a “back of the pack“ division.
The race started near the Key Bridge boathouse and was an out and back on the towpath. It is all gravel and hard-packed dirt, and flat with moderate shade. There were water stations every two miles or so.
The remains of the C and O Canal (it operated from 1830-1924) are right next to the towpath on one side and the Potomac River is on the other. A lot of the Canal isn’t in good shape. Choked with weeds and tree branches, it’s a now a great home for ducks and turtles. (I have to say, with all the turtles around I almost felt like a rabbit…LOL)
Pieces of the Canal’s history remain as you can see remnants of inland locks and the accompanying lock houses, some of which have been restored and are available to rent as a vacation stay.
Bishop races on the C&O Canal towpath are like an old friend. You enjoy them and know what to expect. I plan to be back for the Spring Georgetown Half in May.
Photos and Race Report Credit Jennifer Clark