Charity Walks are a wonderful way to improve your own health and raise money for valuable Washington, DC area charities at the same time. Special events are held each year that provide the perfect opportunity to volunteer, set exercise goals, and make new friends. Here’s the schedule for the 2018 hikes in the Washington, DC area, including Maryland and Virginia. Please note that the exact dates are updated as advertised.
Colon Cancer Alliance – Alcance 5k
March – Washington, DC
The Scope It Out 5K will begin at Freedom Plaza, 13th and Pennsylvania, and will include a scenic tour of popular DC sites, including the National Gallery, Newseum, FBI headquarters, Ford’s Theater, the US Botanical Garden. USA And the Capitol. The event, held during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, focuses on cancer awareness and draws attention to colonoscopy. The Washington DC metropolitan area has the third highest colon cancer death rate in the country. Overall, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined.
National Walk for Epilepsy
April 14, 2018 – Washington, DC
The 2-mile walk along the National Mall raises money for the Epilepsy Foundation to ensure that people with seizures can participate in all of life’s experiences; and to prevent, control, and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy, and services.
Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic Ride for Wishes
April – Washington, DC / June – Fairfax, VA
Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic raises money to guarantee the wishes of local children with life-threatening medical conditions. Participants of all ages enjoy a walk, local food, music, family activities, and special guest appearances.
Paso Sisters Brambleton Ribbon Run
April – Brambleton, VA
Presented by StoneSpring Emergency Center, proceeds from the race benefit local breast cancer patients. By partnering with Inova Loudoun Hospital and various local vendors, the sister sisters provide transportation, fresh food delivery, house cleaning, gardening services, and childcare for those receiving treatment for the disease.
Breath Deep 5K Walk para LUNGevity
April – Columbia, MD
In memory of Dr. Clement B. Knight, the walk raises money for the LUNGevity Foundation to fund lung cancer research. Dr. Knight, who died on August 9, 2012, at the age of 62, was recognized in the Best Doctors Guide for many years. Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in the United States, claiming approximately 160,000 lives per year. It is a devastating disease that can affect anyone, regardless of smoking history, gender or ethnicity.
Brilliant Beginnings 5K Race
April – Washington, DC
The 5K event helps local families come 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 the new 2018 location on Pennsylvania Ave. NORTHWEST.
MS Walk – National MS Society, National Capital Chapter
April – Washington, DC
This walk, sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton, is a fun and family oriented event. Walkers create awareness and money to benefit the fight against multiple sclerosis. MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and the body. MS affects more than 2.3 million worldwide.
Arthritis walks
May – Greenbelt, MD, Annapolis, MD, and Nationals Park, Washington, DC
The Arthritis Foundation’s flagship event raises funds and awareness to combat arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. Participants walk in honor of a friend or family member on a three-mile or one-mile course and participate in activities for the whole family.
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
May – Washington, DC
The Avon Walk is a marathon walk that runs over a Saturday and Sunday. You can walk as far as you choose or up to 39 miles on the weekend. To participate as a walker in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk, each person commits to raising a minimum of $ 1,800 for the fight against breast cancer.
Relay for life
Dates vary – many locations in the
Washington, DC Relay for Life is an American Cancer Society fundraiser, an evening activity in which teams of people gather at schools, amusement parks or parks and take turns walking or running laps. This charity event brings together a community to raise money to prevent, detect and treat cancer.
Public service 5K
May – Washington, DC
The 5K at National Harbor kicks off Public Service Week and provides government employees, their families, and friends a way to show their support and appreciation for our nation’s dedicated public servants. Proceeds will benefit the Federal Fund for Employee Assistance and Education (FEEA), a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships and emergency assistance. Pre-registration is required.
Race for hope
May – Washington, DC
This is a 5K walk / run with the goal of raising $ 1.5 million to fund groundbreaking brain tumor research and support for families affected by this devastating disease. Proceeds benefit two non-profit organizations, the Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. The run includes a fun run for kids, the Wall of Hope and tributes to brain tumor survivors.
National Police Week 5K
May – Washington, DC
The annual event raises awareness and funding for Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), a non-profit organization that honors law enforcement officers who have given their lives while doing their duty. The 5K will begin at 3rd and E Street, NW and end at 4th Street, NW, near the National Law Enforcement Memorial.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Red Shoe 5K Run and Walk
May – Herdon, VA
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, DC helps children heal faster and better. The family-friendly Red Shoe 5K is for runners, leisure walkers, and joggers. Children can earn community service hours. The race begins at 9:00 am Kids Fun Run at 8:45 am Competitive and non-competitive runners and walkers are welcome.
Breakthroughs for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Dates Vary (May) – Many locations in the DC area Las
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 children’s activities, food, and festivities.
The Semper Fi 5K
May – Washington, DC
The event takes place at Anacostia Park on Armed Forces Day and will benefit the Semper Fi Fund, a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to service members and their families for needs that arise during hospitalization and the recuperation. how to perpetuate needs such as home modifications, custom transportation, and specialized equipment. Advanced registration is required.
Walk to cure diabetes
May – Leesburg, VA / June – Washington, DC
The 5K Walk and 2K Family Fun Walk is sponsored by the Capitol Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with the goal of creating a world without type 1 diabetes. Each year, more than 900,000 people raise more than $ 75 million for life-changing research. Music is provided and families can enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities and snacks donated by vendors.
Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure
September – Washington, DC
The 5K event raises funds for health and breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs for the medically underserved. The race brings together more than 40,000 participants from across the country, including more than 3,000 breast cancer survivors. Meet at Freedom Plaza, 14th St and Pennsylvania Ave NW.
Saint Jude gives thanks
September – Washington, DC
The 5 km family walk will take place in more than 65 communities across the country. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment that is not covered by insurance. No child is denied treatment due to the family’s inability to pay.
Light the way on foot
September – Washington, DC
The Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind sponsors the walk to raise funds for programs that help the blind and visually impaired population of the DC area overcome the challenges of vision loss. The event will also include a race for children ages 3-8 and a silent auction.
Walk out of Parkinson’s
September – Washington, DC
The 1.5-mile self-paced family walk in Nationals Park benefits the National Capital Parkinson Foundation (NFPF), a non-profit organization that improves the quality of life for people affected by Parkinson’s disease, their care partners and families, and fosters a sense of community to ensure that no one fights the disease alone. PFNCA offers exercise, communication and education programs to strengthen the physical and emotional health of people affected by Parkinson’s in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.
The event will include photo opportunities at the Nationals Dugout, exercises, yoga and dance demonstrations, children’s activities and more.
CureSearch Walk for Childhood Cancer
October – McLean, VA
The CureSearch Walk celebrates and honors children whose lives have been affected by childhood cancer while raising funds for life-saving research.
We have your back 5K run and 1 mile run / hike fun
October – Reston, VA
The Spinal Research Foundation hosts the event in honor of National Osteoporosis Awareness Month with proceeds supporting research and education programs to improve spinal health care for all Americans. A Spinal Health Fair will include activities for the family, such as interactive play areas, color and learning stations, and a moon bounce.
National Kidney Foundation Kidney Walk
October – Reston, VA and Washington, DC
This non-competitive event focuses on raising awareness of kidney disease, people at risk, and the need for organ donation. The event is free and open to the public, although individual participants and teams are encouraged to raise funds for the National Kidney Foundation serving the National Capital Area, which is especially important considering that the metropolitan area of Washington, DC has the highest prevalence of kidney disease in the United States.
Down Buddy Walk Syndrome Association
October – Fairfax, VA
The Northern Virginia Buddy Walk is a short walk followed by a great festival with fun for all ages. More than 2,000 participants are expected to raise funds to support the awareness, education and advocacy efforts of the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia. Walking festivities include moon bouncing, a rock wall, train rides, agility dogs, police, firefighters, and rescue teams, including a police helicopter, cartoon characters; Dora the Explorer, Goofy and Scooby Doo, face painters, magicians, food vendors, an exhibitor’s pavilion and much more.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk
October – Reston, VA (rain or shine), Rockville, MD, and Washington, DC
The annual walking and fundraising event honors and brings hope to those fighting cancer. Walkers gather at twilight holding lighted balloons to support and honor lost survivors and loved ones. The event includes live music, free food, and fun activities for the whole family.
Alzheimer’s Association walks to end Alzheimer’s
October: National Mall
The walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Participants will learn more about the disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical trial enrollment, and the Association’s support programs and services, and will join in an important tribute ceremony honoring those affected by Alzheimer’s. Participation is free. Walkers are encouraged to raise funds.
Best Friends Friendship Hike
October – Washington, DC
The 5K Walk / Run to raise awareness and funds to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will take place on closed roads along The National Mall around Washington, DC’s most well-known landmarks and monuments.
Race for each child 5K
October – Washington, DC
The annual run / walk (3.1 miles) will raise money for the nationally and internationally renowned National Children’s Medical Center in Washington, DC that serves more than 360,000 children and provides more than $ 50 million in uncompensated care each year. The event will raise critical funds for the hospital’s ongoing effort to provide specialty pediatric care, conduct research on the prevention and treatment of childhood illnesses, and provide preventive and wellness services to keep children healthy.
Walk4Hearing
October – Washington, DC
This family-friendly 3-mile walk supports the Hearing Loss Association of America to raise awareness and help eradicate the stigma associated with hearing loss. The money raised is shared between the national organization and local walking sites to provide information, education, advocacy, and support. The event includes music, free food, and fun activities for the whole family. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the hike begins at 11 a.m.
Community walk out of the dark
October – National Mall and Tidal Basin
The 5K walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Proceeds will benefit local and national suicide prevention and awareness programs. The walk will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 pm
SIDA Walk Washington
October – Washington, D.C.
AIDS Walk Washington is a 5K fundraising walk benefiting Whitman-Walker Clinic, a Washington, D.C. non-profit community-based health organization committed to ending the suffering of all those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Making Strides of Washington, D.C. 5K Walk
October – Washington, D.C.
The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides campaign is the only campaign with the American Cancer Society that’s dedicated to breast cancer. All the money raised from the walk will benefit breast cancer research, advocacy, prevention, and patient services within the Greater Washington metro area. Registration begins at 9 a.m. on the grounds of the Washington Monument.
Greater Washington Heart Walk
November – Washington, D.C.
The walk is the American Heart Association’s mission in action. This annual celebration promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun, family environment. As the signature fundraising event, the Greater Washington Heart Walk is expected to raise $2.5 million for the American Heart Association’s life-saving mission. There is a 3-mile walk with a one-mile short course. Health and wellness expo for the entire family.
Friendship Walks
November – Washington, D.C.
Friendship Walks is a 1.5 mile, fun and peaceful rally around the National Mall focused on ending homelessness in the Washington, D.C. region. All proceeds benefit Friendship Place, a nonprofit organization that addresses homelessness with innovative programs that empower participants to rebuild their lives, find homes, get jobs, and reconnect with friends, family, and the community.
Prevent Cancer 5K Walk/Run
November – Washington, DC
This event is a great way to get around or change your exercise routine. Help raise funds to support the mission of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the only non-profit organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to the prevention and early detection of cancer. After the walk / run, explore a health fair and refuel with FREE healthy snacks, flu shots, and cancer screenings.
National race to end women’s cancer
November – Washington, DC
The 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk is the premier annual fundraising and awareness event for the Women’s Cancer Foundation, supporting the full list of the organization’s research funding efforts to defeat gynecological cancers. . Prizes will be awarded to the best artists of the race. Registration is available on the site on race day.
