Dead Man’s Run 5K 2026 — Washington, DC

Join us on Saturday, October 10 at 5:00 PM for Congressional Cemetery’s annual fall 5K fundraiser. This death-defying race begins inside the cemetery before continuing onto the Anacostia Trail for a spooky evening run filled with music, costumes, and frightful fun. Whether you’re racing for a personal best, walking with friends, or simply trying to stay ahead of your grave, Dead Man’s Run is one of the region’s most unique fall 5Ks. Costumes are encouraged, with prizes awarded for best individual costume and best team costume. Form a team, get creative with your team name, and compete for prizes recognizing top overall finishers, age-group winners, and best team time. Register by August 1 to take advantage of early bird pricing. This year, all participants who register by September 20 will receive a complimentary race shirt. Registrants after September 20 will receive a shirt while supplies last. All proceeds from Dead Man’s Run support Historic Congressional Cemetery, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of this National Historic Landmark. Founded in 1807, Historic Congressional Cemetery is a 35-acre active burial ground in Washington, D.C., with more than 70,000 interments. The cemetery is the final resting place of many notable Americans, including members of Congress, public servants, veterans, artists, activists, and Washingtonians from all walks of life. Today, Congressional Cemetery remains both a sacred historic landscape and a vibrant community space, sustained through public programs, preservation efforts, and the support of those who visit, run, walk, and gather here.