D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser addresses participants at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K. (Ja'Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
Thousands flocked to the Navy Yard side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Southeast for the 12th Annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K hosted by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the District of Department Parks and Recreation (DPR).
Encouraging participants to “run through the tape,” Bowser said the event “is a way to start the New Year with purpose and surrounded by friends and community.”
“This is a tradition that started when I was mayor-elect,” she said in a statement, “and in 2026 it will symbolize my commitment to D.C. residents to run through the tape and finish strong.”
Sponsored by Aetna, the free, family-friendly event kicked off at 11 a.m., was open to people of all ages and abilities, and included a Kids Dash and a pre-race festival with refreshments, music, and vendor booths.
“The beauty is in the beginning and the Fresh Start 5K reminds us that every Jan. 1 we get a chance to hit reset and start again,” said DPR Director Thennie Freeman. “It’s about fitness, family, community, fun and showing up for ourselves. I can’t wait to start the year with you at the starting line.”
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser addresses participants at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)Participants celebrate at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K held at the Navy Yard side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Southeast D.C. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)A participant celebrates at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K held at the Navy Yard side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Southeast D.C. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)Participants celebrate at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K held at the Navy Yard side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Southeast D.C. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)Participants celebrate at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K held at the Navy Yard side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Southeast D.C. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)Participants celebrate at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K held at the Navy Yard side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Southeast D.C. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)A participant celebrates at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K held at the Navy Yard side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Southeast D.C. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)Participants celebrate at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K held at the Navy Yard side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Southeast D.C. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)Participants celebrate at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K held at the Navy Yard side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Southeast D.C. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser joins participants at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)Participants celebrate at the 12th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K held at the Navy Yard side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Southeast D.C. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
