Run for Shelter

This was one of the first races I ever ran. It was very well organized and I love that all of the proceeds went to benefit Carpenter’s Shelter. Definitely running again!

This was my first ever race, and it was AWESOME. The people were nice, it was extremely well organized, and it benefits a fantastic cause — the Carpenter’s Shelter in Alexandria.
The morning of the race was fun and energetic inside the US Patent & Trademark Office, with motivating music, coffee and water, plenty of safety pins, clean restrooms, a well organized bag check (YAY!), and free parking in open garages (no validation or anything needed).
The course was well marked and planned out on Eisenhower Ave, and the mile markers and turnaround points were clearly marked — with a water station at turnaround (at least for the 5k). There were a team of volunteers handing out water bottles right as you finished, which was extremely convenient. And when you completed your race, they had tables stocked full of protein bars and several kinds of fruit.
Bag pickup from the bag check was easy and efficient, scores were posted quickly, and it was all around a fun first race — next time I plan to do the 10k. For a new runner, the Run for Shelter was a great first race — the organizers and volunteers deserve some serious accolades. They know what they’re doing, and they do it well. You guys rock!