Dash Through the Dirt Half
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2026 Dash Through the Dirt 5k, 10k, & Half
The Dash Through the Dirt event on May 16 at Carderock Recreation Area offers three race distances that run along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath in Potomac, MD. All routes are out-and-back on a light gravel dirt trail with minimal elevation gains.
Distances:
- Half marathon - out-and-back along C&O Canal towpath on light gravel dirt trail
- 10k - out-and-back along the C&O Canal towpath
- 5k - out-and-back along the C&O Canal towpath
The event awards points toward the organizer's Year-Long 5k, 10k, Endurance and Back of the Pack Series, and toward a Spring Series. A virtual race option is available. Runners receive a finisher's coin, a technical (Dri-fit) event shirt, and chip timing with live results; a QR code at the venue and online results are provided after the race.
Water stations are placed along each course: ten stations on the half marathon at listed mile markers, four on the 10k, and two on the 5k; some stations include Gatorade. The half marathon has a 3:15 completion time limit. Packet pickup is available at the event; there will be no on-site race-day registration. Awards are given to the top three overall and to age-group placers by category. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.