Last weekend I participated in the Jingle All The Way 15K . Although it was the 22nd year for the 5K, the 15K is a new option. I have to blame credit Deborah for getting me to sign up, and was so bummed when she had to DNS. (But I’d rather have her healthy for the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run too!)
Jingle All The Way 15K Race Recap
1. Easy Logistics. There aren’t many races in the D.C. area where you can register at the last minute, have a week to pick up your packet from a variety of locations, and leave your house 45 min before the starting time and still have plenty of time to park and warm up, but this is one of them.
2. Classic D.C. Scenery. Like the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run, the Jingle All The Way races start and end right by the Washington Monument. The 15K route goes past the Tidal Basin and Kennedy Center, so you get to see some of the classic D.C. sights before and after you have to slog around Hains Point. 😉
this view was worth taking off my gloves to capture
3. Festive Running Costumes. The race organizers encourage people to dress up by holding a costume contest. I didn’t take photos, but there were tons of Santas, Frotys, elves, grinches, and reindeer. I even saw a woman in a Christmas tree costume! A group won a prize for their Five Golden Rings costumes. My husband liked the Three Wise Men. You can see the post-race photo booth album here.
4. A Flat, Fast, Course. The route really is FLAT and with much smaller crowds than Cherry Blossom, you really can run your best race–although the sharp/hairpin turns tend to make your Garmin measure longer than the official 15K distance. I wasn’t planning to race this one–after all, I spent the ENTIRE day before on my feet baking cookies!–but once the announcer said “GO!” my legs took off.
There was a fierce headwind during that 8:30 mile
I managed to sustain a pretty even, comfortably hard pace. which turned out to be fast enough to place second in my (new) age group and earn a another medal.
5. A Festive Race Hat. Instead of a race t-shirt, the official race gear is a festive race hat! There also was the option to choose a $10 Pacers gift card (the running store associated with the race) or make a charitable donation.
Isn’t it so cute?!
Overall, it was a great race, and one I’ll considering doing again–especially if I can coordinate with more local running friends. I know the snowy scenery made the course prettier than it might be on a dreary December day, but I think the fun costumes would make the race interesting no matter what the weather.
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Would you pick a race hat instead of a shirt? z
Have you raced in a costume?
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Congrats on your 2nd place age group. The benefits of getting in a new age group:) Great job on your race I think that is a cute knit hat. Perfect for the occasion. I like different items rather than just t-shirts. I have so many t-shirts I do not know what to do with. Maybe it is time t make that quilt!
Thanks! The smaller field had more to do with my AG place than my age. We have some fast women around here. 😉 I am still collecting for a quilt (I donated a TON of shirts before I thought about making a quilt) but I’m almost there.
I didn’t realize you placed 2nd in your age group! Congrats on a great race. I am always amazed by your ability to pull it out and crush it
Thanks. I really think OTF has made these faster paces sustainable, even though I only hold them for a few minutes at a time one day a week. I only noticed the AG when I was looking for photos. 🙂
That sounds like a great race and I would LOVE a hat (rather than the very wimpy long sleeve non-tech tee we got for our holiday race).
Congrats on your AG award! Good job, Coco!
I love the name of the race – it’s already so festive! Love the medal and the hat that you received as well!
Congrats on a great race and your AG award!!
Thanks! It was a really good event.
That hat is so cute!! I love hats with puff balls on top!
Congratulations on an awesome race!!
Congrats on snagging that AG win! I’d totally go for a festive hat over a race shirt. I well remember Hain’s Point from MCM. Unraveled is the word that comes to mind. Haha!
Hah! I’m sure that describes it well. At least with Cherry Blossom once you’re done with Hains Point you’re nearly done!
Sounds like fun, and everyone getting in the holiday spirit. Costumes are a good distraction on the course since I have fun spotting all of them.
I almost feel like a party pooper not dressing up, but it’s not my thing. 😉
15k is such a cool distance. And I love the hat you got instead of a shirt! I would love to get that.
It nice to get something different – and it’s a really nice hat!
I did this race as a 5k but it sounds like a great 15k course too! The hat is a really cute alternative to the shirt.
Sounds like a great race! What a great shot of the Washington Monument, too. I wish I lived closer…
Thanks – it was so pretty with the snow (which we rarely get!).
Congrats on your AG! I would take the hat over the shirt too – so cute. Sounds like a fun race!
Thanks! Did you get into Cherry Blossom???
Sounds like a great race! I love that there is nice DC scenery and a flat course. The race day logistic sound great too! I want to run a 5 miler tomorrow and I cant even figure out if they have race day registration…not a good sign!
Congrats!
Congrats on that speedy race and AG placement! Gotta love a flat course (altho I do know people who prefer hills–who are they?). And I love the hat vs a shirt. Sounds like a great race!
Congrats on a great race! Placing in your AG is always wonderful too!!
Sounds like a great race! I love the hat!
This looks fun & so scenic! And, the hat? Adorable!!! Congrats on your excellent finish time #high5
Awesome job! I love the hat!
Awesome! Looks like a fun race for the holiday season.
This sounds like such a fun race! A good distance too…LOVE that hat!!
I would run that race just for the hat. LOL
Someday I will get to DC for a race. Love your pics.
This really seems like a great race, Coc. Plus, that hat is so cute and such a better gift than a T-shirt! 😉