Long Branch 5k

Long Branch 5k is held in Silver Spring, Maryland, on November 8, 2026, with the 5K fun run starting at 8 a.m. It is a community event built around local spirit and healthy living, and the scenic course is set up for runners and walkers alike. Shirts are handed out at a gathering before the event, participants are asked to arrive early on race morning to check in, and a brunch with a varied spread follows the finish. Proceeds go toward local initiatives.

An 8 a.m. fun run is about as low-pressure as racing gets, which makes it a sensible first 5K if you have been running a few times a week for a month or two. If you would rather race it, the only real preparation you need is one weekly interval session and the discipline to hold back over the opening half-mile.