Charity Walks in the Washington, DC Area

Charity Walks are a wonderful way to improve your own health and raise money for worthwhile Washington, DC area charities at the same time. Special events are held each year, providing the perfect opportunity to volunteer some time, set exercise goals and make new friends. Here is the schedule of upcoming walks in the Washington, DC area, including Maryland and Virginia:

Spring - this page
Fall - Page 2

Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation - Washington, DC
March 25, 2012
The Scope It Out 5K will kick off at Freedom Plaza, 13th & Pennsylvania, and will include a scenic tour of popular DC sites including the National Galley, Newseum, FBI Headquarters, Ford’s Theater, U.S. Botanical Gardens, and the Capitol. The event, held during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, is focused on cancer awareness and calls attention to the colonoscopy. The Washington, DC/Metro Area has the third highest colon cancer mortality rate in the country. Overall, colon cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women combined.

National Walk for Epilepsy - Washington, DC
March 31, 2012
The 2 mile walk along the National Mall raises money for the Epilepsy Foundation to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy and services.

MS Walk - National MS Society, National Capital Chapter
April 14, 15, and 21, 2012
This walk, sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton, is a fun, family oriented event, taking place in six different neighborhoods in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. You can participate in DC, Manassas, Reston, Potomac, Oxon Hill, or Bowie. Walkers raise awareness and money to benefit the fight against multiple sclerosis.

Walk for Lupus Now - Washington, DC
April 21, 2012
The walk supports education programs, outreach services and research for people with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and can affect various parts of the body, especially the kidneys, skin, joints and blood.

My Fight Against SIDS (MFAS)
April 21, 2012 - Bladensburg, MD
This 1, 3 or 5 mile walk or run in Bladensburg Waterfront Park promotes awareness of the importance of infant health, by sharing all risk factors of SIDS and SUDI. MFAS supports families in need providing by support groups, remembrance celebrations, birthday celebrations, and seminars.

5K Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls
April 28, 2012 - Rosslyn, VA
This walk from Gateway Park to Dupont Circle helps to spread awareness of ongoing violence against women in our community and around the world. Proceeds from the walk go directly to the UN Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence Against Women.

City of Hope’s Walk for Hope
April 28, 2012 - Washington DC
City of Hope is a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. The 5K walk begins at Pennsylvania Ave. & 3rd St. NW at 10 a.m. Registration at 8 a.m.

Arthritis Walks in the Washington, DC Area
May 5, 2012 - Greenbelt, MD
May 19, 2012 - National Mall, Washington, DC
The Arthritis Foundation's signature event raises funds and awareness to fight arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. Participants walk in honor of a friend or family member in a three-mile or one-mile course and take part in activities for the entire family.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - Washington, DC
May 5-6, 2012
The Avon Walk is a marathon walk spread-out over a Saturday and Sunday. You can walk as far as you choose or up to 39 miles throughout the weekend. In order to participate as a walker in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, each person commits to raising a minimum of $1,800 towards the fight against breast cancer.

Relay for Life - Many Locations in the Washington, DC Area
Dates Vary
Relay for Life is an American Cancer Society fundraiser, an overnight activity where teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. This charitable event brings a community together to raise money to prevent, detect, and treat cancer.

Race for Hope
Washington, DC - May 6, 2012
This is a 5K walk/run with the goal of raising $1.5 million to fund innovative brain tumor research and support for families affected by this devastating disease. Proceeds benefit two not-for-profit organizations, the Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. The race includes a Kids' Fun Run, the Wall of Hope, and tributes to brain tumor survivors.

National Police Week 5K
May 12, 2012 - Washington DC
The annual event raises awareness and funding for Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), a not-for-profit organization that honors law enforcement officers who have given their lives while serving in the line of duty. The 5K will begin on 3rd and E Street, NW and will finish on 4th Street, NW, near the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

Bright Beginnings 5K Race
May 12, 2012 - Washington, DC
The 5K event helps local families transition out of homelessness while preparing their children to enter kindergarten ready to read and ready to learn. The annual race is organized by volunteers from the Junior League of Washington. Participants will receive a t-shirt, running bag, food and water, and will be entered into a drawing for raffle prizes. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Hains Point.

Walk to Cure Diabetes
Washington, DC - June 9, 2012
The 5K walk and 2K family fun walk beginning at RFK Stadium is sponsored by the Capitol Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Music is provided by Mix 107.3 and families can enjoy live entertainment, children's activities, and snacks donated by vendors.

Northern Virginia - May 20, 2012
Walkers raise more than $250,000 each year for diabetes research at this 5K Walk and 2.5K Family Fun Walk at The National Conference Center, Lansdowne, VA. This charity walk is sponsored by the Capitol Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Music is provided by Mix 107.3 and families can enjoy live entertainment, children's activities, and snacks donated by vendors.

Great Strides for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation- Many Locations in the DC Area
Dates Vary (May 2012)
People within a local community form teams through their workplace, clubs and organizations or with friends and family. The walk is a fun, family-oriented celebration that includes kids activities, food, and festivities.

We’ve Got Your Back 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk - Reston, VA
May 12, 2012. 1831 Wiehle Ave., Reston, VA. The Spinal Research Foundation hosts the event in honor of National Osteoporosis Awareness Month with proceeds supporting programs of research and education to improve spinal health care for all Americans. A Spinal Health Fair will include family friendly activities such as interactive play areas, color & learn stations and a moon bounce.

Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure
Washington, DC - Saturday, June 2, 2012.
The 5K event raises funds for breast health and breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs for the medically underserved. The race gathers together more than 40,000 participants from across the country, including more than 3,000 breast cancer survivors. Meet at the National Mall.

See Fall Charity Walks on Page 2