Run in the footsteps of President Lincoln at the second annual FREEDOM 5k at President Lincoln’s Cottage! 

Run for Freedom at the second annual Freedom 5K at President Lincoln’s Cottage, where Abraham Lincoln developed the Emancipation Proclamation and lead our nation through the Civil War. Olympic champion and running icon Joan Benoit Samuelson will once again participate in the Freedom 5K at President Lincoln's Cottage. After winning the Boston Marathon twice, Ms. Benoit Samuelson went on to become the first woman to ever win the gold medal in the Olympic marathon at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. 

Traverse a pastoral landscape that winds past ponds, fields, historic buildings and vistas on this breath-taking course. The run culminates on the foot of the lawn at President Lincoln’s Cottage, where a ceremony will take place.  The annual Freedom 5K is an exclusive opportunity for members of the public to race through the 250 acre grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home – home to hundreds of veterans who fought for freedom – in NW Washington, DC.  Proceeds and donations from the run support the mission of President Lincoln’s Cottage, a private non-profit organization.Race starts at 8:00 am. 

Visit www.lincolncottage.org for more information on Lincoln’s Cottage and the property. 

See course map

Registration fee: $25 until August 26, then will be $30 through race day.

Tot Dash: Children of registered 5k participants are invited to run the 100 yard Tot Dash following the 5k race. This is a free event and registration will occur on-site. 

Packet pick up: will be held on Friday September 25, from 4:30-7:30 pm at President Lincoln’s Cottage 

Swag and Awards: All 5k participants will receive a commemorative race t-shirt and awards will be given to the top 3 male and female finishers and top age group finishers.  

Parking: There is a $5 parking fee, and parking is limited. There will be 100 parking passes available for purchase through this registration site. Passes will be distributed during packet pick up on Friday, September 25. If you paid for a parking pass but are not able to make it to packet pick up on Friday, September 25, you can pick up your paid parking pass at the front gate on Saturday morning.

Public Transportation:  Because onsite parking is limited to the first 100 who purchase a parking pass on-line, it is highly suggested you take public transportation to the event. There will be a bag drop available on site.

·        METRO RAIL: The Georgia Avenue/Petworth Metro Station (Green & Yellow Lines) is 0.8 miles downhill from Eagle Gate and is the closest metro station to President Lincoln’s Cottage. The station is located at the intersection of Georgia Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue, and Rock Creek Church Road, NW. From the Metro exit, walk south toward Rock Creek Church Road, and then turn left onto Rock Creek Church Road and continue along it for approximately 0.8 miles. Turn right into the gates at the intersection of Upshur Street and Rock Creek Church Road. Alternatively, catch the H8 bus (see below) from a stop at the intersection of New Hampshire and Georgia Avenue, just south of the Metro exit.

·        METRO BUS: The H8 Metro Bus stops at “Rock Creek Church Rd NW and Upshur Street NW” (stop # 1002986) immediately in front of the Eagle Gate entrance. After exiting the bus, the gate will be on the right-hand side of the road. You may also take the 60 Metro Bus to the stop at Upshur Street and 2^nd Street, NW. From there, walk east on Upshur Street towards the Eagle Gate entrance.
TIP: Most bus and rail employees are not familiar with specific tourist attractions along their routes. They will need to know the line, route, and stop you are looking for in order to assist you rather than the name of the site. When in doubt, contact our staff for support (202)-829-0436 x0.

Location: Presidents Lincoln’s Cottage is located on the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) campus in Northwest Washington, D.C.   

Entrance: The entrance to President Lincoln’s Cottage is through the Eagle Gate, located at the intersection of Rock Creek Church Road NW and Upshur Street NW. The street address is approximately 140 Rock Creek Church Road, NW, Washington D.C. 20011. Note: 3700 North Capitol Street is not an entrance. Visit Lincoln's Cottage

For Additional Information or questions contact President Lincoln's Cottage at 202-829-0436 ext. 232 or Freedom5k@savingplaces.org