Cherry Blossom 5K

Every spring, Congressional Cemetery blooms with new life as we welcome the reawakening of our environmental treasures, including several species of DC's iconic cherry blossom trees! These beautiful spring hallmarks punctuate every spring in DC with their stunning beauty. While typically associated with the tidal basin, Congressional Cemetery has dozens of beloved cherry blossoms from several different species, including Yoshino, Kanzan, and Okame trees. Truly, our cherry blossoms hold a special place in our hearts.

In celebration of our environment and the return of spring, please join us on April 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM for the Cherry Blossom 5k at Congressional Cemetery. Enjoy a beautiful and invigorating run (or walk!) inside the cemetery in the company of some of our our beloved cherry trees! All proceeds from the race go to furthering our non-profit mission, including environmental preservation. Come and support the cemetery and our cherry blossoms this spring!

Now returning for its third year, we are happy to announce a few changes including:

-A slightly changed race course! We have made some small adjustments to our course. Our USATF Recertification has been submitted and is pending final approval, which will be completed by race day. We will update this page with the new map at that time!

-Every 5K race hosted by Congressional Cemetery will include a 5K t-shirt, including the Cherry Blossom 5K, if you register by the deadline of March 24!

Historic Congressional Cemetery was founded in 1807. It is located at 1801 E Street SE in Washington, D.C. Many famous and notable U.S. residents are interred in Congressional Cemetery, including many Congressmen who died while in office; those Congressmen who passed away in office between 1833 and 1876 are represented by Benjamin Latrobe’s iconic cenotaphs. Congressional Cemetery is still an active burial ground, taking new interments. There are currently over 70,000 burials on 35 acres. The cemetery is also a dog-walking park, with K-9 Corps membership fees helping to sustain the Cemetery.

The Course:

Our 5K course is flat, fast, and USATF certified. Our course is currently pending official recertification. We have submitted all documents and anticipate having the certification by race day. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Once we have our new map, we will post it here!

Start and finish are within the cemetery, and the course goes out on the adjoining Anacostia Trail for a quick out and back. Water is available at the start/finish line and at a water stop around the halfway point of the 5k course.

Awards:

Prizes will be rewarded for the top individual performers overall and for age group. A prize will also be awarded to the team with the best collective time! Water and snacks are provided to all race participants

Dogs: 

We do allow strollers and dogs on this course. However, please keep in mind that all those with dogs and strollers will be asked to start at the back of the group to minimize confusion. Please no retractable leashes!

Children's Race:

We are also offering a children’s race prior to the start of the 5k. Participation in the children’s run is free for any child who has a parent, guardian, or friend registered for the 5K. Children may still participate, if no runners are registered, for a $5 fee. Registration for the children’s race is in our chapel the day of the race and a parent or guardian must sign a waiver.

Registration:

You may pick up your bib and shirt during our pre-race pickup period from April 8-April 10, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM  at the Congressional Cemetery Gatehouse.  All other bib/shirt pickup will occur prior to the race. Bib pickup begins at 7:30 AM in the Chapel on race day. The race will start promptly at 9:00 AM, so please be sure to arrive early to ensure you receive your bib before the race starts. 

All proceeds from Congressional Cemetery events, including the Cherry Blossom 5k, help support our 501(c)(3) organization and fund the preservation of this National Historic Landmark

As a non-profit organization, we rely on events like the Cherry Blossom 5k to help fundraise in pursuit of our mission, including environmental preservation. We are extremely grateful and appreciative of our Cherry Blossom 5k Sponsors. We encourage all attendees to learn more about these amazing organizations!

Fulcrum Residential

Learn more about them here!