Founders Half Marathon

Founders Half Marathon is a single-distance road race in Bethesda, Maryland, on December 13, 2026, put on by the DC Road Runners. The half marathon (13.1 miles) starts at 9 a.m., which is a civilised hour by December standards and leaves time to travel in on the morning itself rather than staying over the night before.

One distance and one start makes the day straightforward, but it also means there is no shorter option to fall back on if the training has not gone to plan. Give the 13.1 ten to twelve weeks: four runs a week, one of them long and building toward 10 or 11 miles, plus one steadier session at the pace you hope to hold. The later start gives you room for a proper warm-up and a full breakfast, both of which are worth using.