2026 Final Runner Instruction - great reference for planning for 2027!!
Welcome to the 2026 PNC Alexandria Half, 5K & Kidz Docs Dash!
Dear Athletes,
Race day is almost here! Below you will find all the important information to ensure you have a smooth bib pick up and race day experience. Important information on the race features and exciting 2026 changes are provided here to help you have a successful weekend. All details below are also on our site but this serves as a handy guide to review prior to race weekend.
From collecting your race packet, to planning your pre-race morning, to key on-course details, to the celebration post-race … we’ve got you covered!
BEFORE RACE DAY
COLLECT YOUR RACE PACKET:
Your race packet will include your assigned race bib with timing tag affixed on the back, pins, a clear plastic gear bag, and the race gift of a race shirt or $10 Pacers Running Retail Bucks (card). For the race gift of a custom race tee, packet pick up will provide the size selected in registration with exchanges available onsite in the festival area post-race if needed.
PACKET PICKUP DATES, TIMES, LOCATION:
2026 Packet Pickup will be hosted in the Pacers Running Old Town store located at 1301 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. The King St-Old Town metro stop (Blue and Yellow lines) is within easy walking distance!
Thursday April 23, 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Friday April 24, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday April 25, 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM
You are able to have someone else to pick up your packet following the guidelines posted on the website.
IMPORTANT: Please remember that there is NO RACE DAY registration or packet pickup outside of the pre-paid add-on race day packet purchase.
SHAKE OUT RUN - FRIDAY APRIL 24 6:00 PM:
Join Pacers Running and On (our NEW footwear partner) for a Friday night Shake Out run to celebrate the start of PNC ALX Half Weekend! Meet at Pacers Running Old Town at 6 PM on Friday, pick up your packet, and join the team for a 3 mile run or 2 mile walk to Hotel AKA for drinks, mocktails, and sweets! We will transport your personal gear items from the store to the hotel. The perfect way to make sure you are "On" for race day!
ADMIN NOTES:
While the timelines for deferring your entry to 2027 or transferring your spot runner-to-runner have past, you can definitely switch race distances prior to collecting your packet by emailing events@runpacers.com.
RACE MORNING – PRE-RACE!
GETTING THERE – PARKING – BIKE VALET – (not) METRO!!
Oronoco Bay Park doubles as both pre-race for Gear Bag Drop, last Porto stops, water chug and the Finish Festival and is very conveniently located across from the Half and 5K start lines.
METRO:
Will NOT be available for getting to the race venue, but is a great way to make your way home after the post-race festivities. King Street Station is accessible from a walk from Oronoco Bay Park to the King Street Trolley or enjoy a post-race meander and check out the King Street shops.
PARKING:
There is limited street parking on race day. Complimentary parking opening at 5:00 AM is offered at 99 Canal Center Plaza in Alexandria on a first-come basis. Specifics are posted here.
BIKING:
Complimentary bike valet services opening at 6:00 AM is by BIKE VALET DMV and is located at the north end of Oronoco Bay Park near GEAR CHECK and SOLUTIONS.
RACE MORNING – RUNNING!
*NEW for 2026* START LINE LOCATION:
The very convenient Half Marathon and 5K start is moved to the intersection of N Fairfax St and Wythe St adjacent to Oronoco Bay Park. The Kidz Docs Dash begins at the corners of Union and King Streets (a short walk south on Union Street from Oronoco Bay Park.)
START CORRALS:
Your corral sticker will be applied to your bib when you collect your packet. Corrals A thru E are based on the 10 predicted pace per mile choice you indicated in your registration. Wear your bib ON THE FRONT of your body so our teams can get you quickly set in the correct corral. Plan to be in the start corral area for ALL corrals by no later than 6:45 AM. The start area will close at 3 minutes after the last corral start, so be sure to be ready for the fun!
RACE START TIMES:
Both the Half Marathon and 5K combined start time is 7:00 AM. The Kidz Docs Dash starts at 10:30 AM.
ON COURSE:
Our amazing Pacers Running Pace Team will be identified by signs and singlets. No signup required, just join in! Water stops are marked on the course map and will have high-flying signs so you can make your way for a stop if you need. Each water stop will also have a standard and ADA accessible portable toilets.
FINISH LINE LOCATION:
All races finish under the same arch on N Union St at the intersection with Oronoco St and N Union St. All runners, families, supporters can join in the Finish Festival in Oronoco Bay Park, just past the finish line at 100 Madison St.
COURSE MAPS:
Can be viewed here
KEEP IT GOING - POST RACE!
AWARDS:
Awards are emailed post-race after all dust has settled. Details can be viewed here.
RESULTS:
Results are posted immediately. Complimentary photos from SwimBikeRun will be available free to download approximately one week to 10 days post-race. They can be found here.
2027 PNC ALEXANDRIA HALF MARATHON, 5K & KIDZ DOCS DASH:
We hope you will want to reserve your 2027 PNC Alexandria Half Marathon & 5K entry spot at the lowest price possible. Ready on April 27, the 2027 registration entry form can be found here.
CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT ..
Thank you to our generous sponsors ~ PNC Bank, MedStar Health, ON Running and Kidz Docs!
