The Jingle all the way is always one of my favorite races to run of the year. I am not a 5K person by nature so I was a little disappointed that this was reduced from an 8K to a 5K this year. It turns out that because of that, so many more families participated as well as lots of newer runners.
Our MRTT group always has a huge presence at this race and it is so much fun to meet up with the other chapters. My husband likes to call us a cult-LOL because no matter what race we are at there is always another MRTT mama who passionately wants to come up and talk to you about MRTT. We must have had over 100 moms and their families there. I even convinced my 14 yo son to run it with me this year.
Proud to be sporting my Hanukkah shirt! And staying very warm in my Heatbreaker tights/skirt.
Even though I have done lots of races in downtown DC, there is something so powerful and patriotic about running down Pennsylvania Avenue and seeing The Capitol building. It is especially beautiful this time of year with all the decorations and lights. Runners go all out on their holiday themed outfits every year and this year did not disappoint. Our mamas love their outfits. See for yourself.
Post race hot chocolate and coffee after a very cold race day
Of course the best part of any large race is the MRTT group picture!
It was so great to see so many kids running with their moms this year.
It was very crowded at the start and I had a little bit of a time breaking free from the crowd. This race wasn’t about trying to get a PR for me it was all about holiday fun and running with my son. The best part of this race was that many of our newer runners completed their first 5K today. It makes me so happy to see this! The proud, accomplished looks on their faces are priceless. You never forget that feeling of crossing your first finish line.
Although he won’t admit it, I think my son had a pretty good time and I’m hoping I can get him to do some more races with me.
I knew a few of my blogger friends would be there but wasn’t sure if I’d recognize them. So great that Jenny from Run Jenny Run found me and we got to meet in person. She was so sweet!
Holiday Themed races-Love ’em or leave ’em??
I’m linking up with Erika and April so check out their great posts today too!
Holiday themes races are so fun. I bet that hot chocolate was delicious ater such a cold run. Cute costumes. Congrats on your finish!
it was lots of fun! I love seeing everyone all dressed up and having fun with their kids
That looks like a fun race! I have never dressed up for a race before but think it would be fun to do so. The only holiday race I have run are Turkey Trots. There are always quite a few holiday ones in Chicago but I just haven’t signed up for them because spending S$0 for a 5K is just not in the budget right now
oh yea I hear you. The 5k’s can get expensive. Most of the races will give our running group a discount which is always nice.
Will someone please explain to me how you run dressed as a tree??
Hilarious! I have no idea how people do it! One year I was passed by a guy in a full turkey suit with the feet too. Not the most comforting feeling
I like holiday theme, but I admit I’m not going to make the effort to go downtown or pay for a 5K. I’m lazy like that LOL.
I usually won’t either! I am not a big fan of 5k’s anyways. We had sort of agreed to do this with Pacers or I would have stayed home myself! Fun to see everyone though
I love how so many people dressed up!
It was great to see everyone really going all out for this race. I always love the big group photos too.
I am all about a theme- LOVE EM!
Looks like you had a lot of fun!
It was lots of fun and always great to see everyone all dressed up. I am not the hugest fan of 5k’s but we had a great time
I really love holiday themed races, but I have never run one! The Christmas-y races look so fun with the cute costumes! It allows you to not take yourself so seriously, as runners can tend to do!
Exactly! It’s all about fun and not about getting a PR. I loved the family participation this year.
This is so fun!! What a way to get motivated to run!! I think I’d be much more inclined to do a 5k if I could dress up!! I’m all about that festive life!!
It was tons of fun! I like to dress up too sometimes and not take it so seriously
Looks like so much fun! I would love the chance to run down Penn Ave!!!
I think we tend to take it for granted that we are able to see so many Nat’l monuments all the time
I’d love to see DC decked out in Christmas decorations.
It’s really beautiful and I tend to take it for granted living here. Thanks for stopping by!
I love holiday races, I am hoping to get one in this year! It looks like you had an amazing turnout! It is wonderful to meet up with so many runners, it makes the race so much more fun!!
It definitely makes it more fun when we have such a great big group of runners. They love to deck out for this one!
So many cute costumes! Post race hot chocolate sounds really nice, too 🙂
Oh it was! It was really cold that day. I love how everyone gets into the crazy costumes
Love them! Keeps the races interesting and not as serious.
It is fun to a more laid back race sometimes. I loved seeing all of the families there in costumes.
That looks like such a fun run! Do they have a MRTT chapter in Philadelphia? It looks like a great group of mom runners. If not, how could I start one?
OMG I would love for you to start one! I am not sure if there is one so if you go to the main website and enter your address it will tell you. momsrunthistown.com let me know what you find out and I will help you. Best thing I’ve ever done!
We have one in Center City Philly! I joined their Facebook page and will let you know how it goes! 🙂
Oh I am so excited!! Yes please let me know
Sounds like a fun run! You’ve got a big MRTT group!! Love the outfits and costumes!
WE do! There are a ton of us in the DC area and suburbs. They are the best!
i love theme races! Whatever it takes to get people to participate ! We have our Jingle Bell run Saturday morning thru downtown & I am looking forward to it ! Can’t believe it is the last race of the year !!! Thanks for sharing the pics – super cute! I just changed planes in Houston so I am half way home!
Woo hoo! Hope you have a good flight and I can’t wait to see the pics from your races
I LOVE the outfits! And your skirt, so cute! I haven’t run a Christmas themed race in forever…racing is hard here in the Winter. But I do love getting dressed up for holiday themed races, so add me to the “Love em” list!
It was certainly fun to dress up and run with all of our friends
I love all the costumes! Makes me want to run our jingle bell run coming up (but it’s a 5k so I’m scared!)
Ha ha 5k’ are not my favorite either but they are lots of fun around holiday time.
Sounds like a wonderful race! I love all themed races, especially holiday themed ones! And yay for your son for racing with you! Thanks for linking up with us today!
Linking with you all is always lots of fun!
I’ll be doing one Saturday. My costume will not be as elaborate as these! Maybe a sparkle skirt and leopard print Santa hat. Great that your son ran with you. I just did a half with my oldest. Very Special.
Can’t wait to see your costumes and read about your race too.
LOVEEEEE THEM!!! I loveeeeee dressing up like a baffoon! It only makes me more energeticccc! ha ah ah!
It does doesn’t it!!
Looks like fun! I have a holiday race coming up this weekend! Stay tuned…
Ooh have fun looking forward to reading about it!
I love your race day outfit especially the heartbreaker skirt of course! I loved themed races around the holidays! Wish I could be doing one but I am currently out of commission at least for now. Now I will live vicariously through all of your racing fun!
The heartbreaker is great and so warm. Sorry you are on the DL that was me a few months ago. Sending speedy recovery thoughts your way
I don’t mind holiday races but I’m not a costume person especially running. It’s fun seeing other people dressed for a theme 🙂
Love the smiles in the last photo!
I wasn’t a costume person until I started hanging around with all my MRTT friends now I can’t say no.
Great meeting you!! Looks like you had a good time.
Nice to meet you too! We did have a huge group of moms there and they are always a great time
This is my favorite race, so bummed I missed it!
I know we missed you this time!!
I ran in DC when we visited and had a lot of fun. Racing in DC would be fun, too, especially when you get to see all of the decorations and runners dressed up. I don’t know how they ran in some of those costumes. Just a carrot nose would bother me!
I don’t know how some people run in crazy costumes either!
This looks like SO muchfun! I have neever done a holiday theme race… but it is on my wish list for next year! 🙂
You and your kids would love it! There were tons of families there which made it so nice.
Fun race! I love themed races of any sort – dressing up with my friends is so fun! Unfortunately my daughters and my husbands incredibly crazy hockey schedule keeps me from racing from October to April 🙁
Don’t you hate when their schedules mess up yours?? LOL
Those are some cute holiday costumes! Love it. I am a suuuuuper boring runner and never dress up. I should lighten up and have some fun. 😉 I am really loving your blog by the way! Cutest design ever! Did you create this template?
Ah thanks! Actually a friend of mine is a graphic designer. If you are interested let me know and I will give you her name. Sometimes it’s fun to dress up and just run for fun!
Aw I love that you got your son to run with you! So sweet! Running is one of the main reasons I want to move to DC — I think it’d be so fun to run somewhere so patriotic! I’d get goosebumps all the time 🙂
Running in and around DC is fabulous-hope you have a chance to
Love theme races! So much fun, what a wonderful way to have a good time. What will they think of next? Did you ever wonder?
We did have a great time. It’s always fun to see crazy costumes
i LOVE that pic of you and jenny so cute. and how fun that your son ran with you. i love all the costumes and how festive people are 🙂 props to you w/your hanukkah shirt!
It was lots of fun and some crazy costumes too. I love races where people don’t take themselves too seriously
So fun, years ago I used to have a lot of fun with theme races. I haven’t run one in a while. But love how nowadays people dress up for fun for them.
People do certainly get into their costumes these days. It’s fun to do a laid back race once in a while
Those costumes rock! Please tell me that your friend ran the whole thing dressed as a tree!!
The tree was hilarious and yes they did!
Oh my goodness… that human Christmas tree is crazy/amazing! I love how many MRTT ladies were at the race. That’s a ridiculously impressive turnout! I met Jenny at the Leesburg 20K this summer, and yes, she’s a sweetie.
I love the MRTT spirit and the large group photots!
Very nice race. I like 5Ks with a theme. It adds a little something to it. I had a Christmas one last weekend and thus weekend.
They are fun aren’t they? And I like the family friendly aspect so most people don’t take themselves too seriously
Looks like it was a great race!
It was lots of fun!