Veterans Day 5K and 1mile run - VA

Veterans Day 5K and 1mile run - VA is held in Fairfax, Virginia, on November 1, 2026, in tribute to American veterans. The 5K starts at 8:00 a.m. and the 1K fun run follows at 8:05 a.m., and you can also take part virtually. Every entrant receives a commemorative shirt, a bib, a medal and a digital finisher certificate, and race photos can be downloaded free of charge. In-person awards go to the top three men and women overall plus the top three in each five-year age group; the virtual race is not scored for awards.

Pairing a 5K with a 1K means the whole household can enter the same morning, with the short run doubling as a first race for children. If you are chasing a 5K personal best, six to eight weeks of preparation will do: two quality sessions a week, one in short repeats at 5K effort and one steadier tempo, with easy running around them. Taking the virtual option instead trades the awards for flexibility, so treat it as a time trial on a route you know well.