Laufvergnügen
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About the race
Laufvergnügen is a German fun run on the C&O Canal towpath in Washington, DC, held Saturday, October 24, 2026. The event starts and finishes at Fletcher's Cove and combines measured races with an Oktoberfest-style finish.
The race offers these distances:
- Half marathon A measured 13.1 mile course.
- 10K A mid-distance road option.
- 5K A short course suitable for walkers and families.
Every registration includes food at the finish: bratwurst, warm soft pretzels, handmade mustard, sauerkraut, fresh buns, and near beer. The race runs on National Park Service property, so alcohol is not permitted and near beer is provided instead.
The event features a costume contest and awards for the top three men and top three women in each distance. All registrants are entered in a raffle that is drawn live; past raffle prizes have included a GPS watch and free entries to future Old Dominion Racing events.
Participants receive a race shirt, a finisher medal, accurate timing and results, and entry into the raffle. There are two ways to receive a registration refund: recruit a volunteer who works the event and receives half a refund after they attend, or have five people register through a personal referral link to receive a refund. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
