• Registration Open for the Dead Man’s Run 5K

    Registration Open for the Dead Man’s Run 5K

    It’s back! Dead Man’s Run is Congressional Cemetery’s annual fall 5K fundraiser race! We hope that you will join us Saturday, October 12 at 5:30 PM for the region’s most death defying and thematic 5k race. This bare bones run is the best way to stay ahead of your grave…by running among them! The race starts with a toll of the funeral bell and continues throughout the Cemetery and onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening run full of spooky music and other fun!

    Costumes are encouraged, with prizes for best individual costume and best team costume! Form a team to compete with your friends – and we love to see creative team names.

    All proceeds from Congressional Cemetery events, including Dead Man’s Run, help support our 501(c)(3) organization and fund the preservation of this National Historic Landmark.

5K Events

All proceeds from Congressional Cemetery events, including the Cherry Blossom 5k, help support our 501(c)(3) organization and fund the preservation of this National Historic Landmark

Not only is it fun to race, but it comes with the good feeling you get when supporting a non-profit!

​Our races are rain or shine, and there is no rain date for the race.

We are unable to offer refunds or race transfers.

Upcoming 5Ks

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Dead Man’s Run 5K

Dead Man’s Run is Congressional Cemetery’s annual fall 5K fundraiser race! This bare bones run is the best way to stay ahead of your grave…by running among them! The race starts with a toll of the funeral bell and continues throughout the Cemetery and onto the Anacostia Trail for a ghostly evening run full of spooky music and other fun!

Costumes are encouraged, with prizes for best individual costume and best team costume! Form a team to compete with your friends – and we love to see creative team names.

Cherry Blossom 5K

Every spring, Congressional Cemetery blooms with new life as we welcome the reawakening of our environmental treasures, including several species of DC’s iconic cherry blossom trees! These beautiful spring hallmarks punctuate every spring in DC with their stunning beauty. While typically associated with the tidal basin, Congressional Cemetery has dozens of beloved cherry blossoms from several different species, including Taiwan, Yoshino, Kwanzan, and Higan trees. Truly, our cherry blossoms hold a special place in our hearts.

In celebration of our environment and the return of spring, enjoy a beautiful and invigorating run (or walk!) inside the cemetery in the company of some of our our beloved cherry trees! All proceeds from the race go to furthering our non-profit mission, including environmental preservation. Come and support the cemetery and our cherry blossoms this spring!

The Course

Our 5K course is flat, fast, and USATF certified. Start and finish are within the cemetery, and the course goes out on the adjoining Anacostia Trail for a quick out and back. Water is available at the start/finish line and at a water stop around the halfway point of the 5k course.

Thanks to our sponsors

We would like to thank our community partners and neighbors Fulcrum Properties Group and DC Access for sponsoring Dead Man’s Run 2024.

Interested in participating in a 5k?

Register today to help support Congressional Cemetery!

Want to rock event merchandise, including shirts, hoodies, and more?