Dash Through the Dirt Half

Event overview

The 2026 Dash Through the Dirt is a road running event on May 16, 2026 at Carderock Recreation Area on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath in Potomac, MD. Distances offered:

• 5k
• 10k
• Half marathon

The event counts toward the organizer’s year-long 5k, 10k, endurance and Back of the Pack series, and toward the Spring Series. A virtual race option is available. The event partners with the EOD Warrior Foundation.

Course and logistics

All three routes are out-and-back once and run along the C&O Canal towpath on a light gravel dirt trail with minimal elevation gain. The organizer provides packet pickup at the event and does not offer on-site race registration. Parking is available within the recreation area across four parking lots; the organizer gives a GPS pin for the event location: 38.972563, -77.198738. T-shirts are guaranteed for runners registered before May 6; extra shirts may be available after that date on a first-come, first-served basis. Runners receive a finisher’s coin, a technical drifit event shirt, and chip timing.

Services, results and awards

Water stations are provided along each course: two on the 5k, four on the 10k, and ten on the half marathon; Gatorade is available at some stations. Live race results will be posted during the event and final results with series points are posted the Monday after the race. Awards are given to the top three men and women overall and to first and second place in standard age groups from 19 & under through 70+. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.