“Half-Half-Half-Half-Half Marathon returns in Columbia Heights”

From a press release:

“Booking It for Young Authors: 826DC’s Half-Half-Half-Half-Half Marathon

The District’s shortest race–0.826 of a mile, to be exact–returns on June 4th. Everyone’s invited to briefly book it for youth literacy at 826DC’s second Half-Half-Half-Half-Half Marathon, an offbeat fundraiser from a unique DC nonprofit.

826DC supports local students ages 6-18 with their writing skills and helps teachers inspire their students to write. The Half-Half-Half-Half-Half Marathon will help fund 826DC’s 100% free writing workshops, homework help, and publishing opportunities at their Columbia Heights writing center (which students enter through a not-so-secret secret door in 826DC’s magic shop storefront) and in learning spaces across the city.

One of those learning spaces: Harriet Tubman Elementary School. The mini marathon will take place outside on the Harriet Tubman Elementary School field, just meters away from where 826DC literacy mentors have read with students each Saturday morning.

“This is a delightful event with an outsized impact,” said Zachary Clark, 826DC’s Executive Director, “made all the more special by happening at one of our partner schools.”

“We’re proud to invite you all,” he continued, “to join us at this event in support of this genuinely fun and important work. Together, one step at a time, we can help more of our young neighbors write their own way forward and access what strong writing skills make possible.”

826DC is the local chapter of a nationwide network of writing centers, co-founded by author Dave Eggers. Inaugural U.S. Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman sits on the board at 826 National. Altogether, 826DC and their fellow 826 chapters support more than 30,000 students each year.

All those interested can register for the event or donate at give.826dc.org/halfx5.

Important Dates:

Optional Weekly “Training”

Wednesday evenings, May 4th-25th, 6 PM to 7 PM

Meet your fellow participants, get a taste of what it’s like at 826DC’s writing programs, win prizes for your fundraising progress, and get to know some of the folks at 826DC.

Half-Half-Half-Half-Half Marathon

Saturday, June 4th, 11 AM to 12:30 PM

3101 13th St NW, Washington, DC, 20010

Do a 0.826 mile run/read/walk/jog/nap/dance/et cetera on the field at Harriet Tubman Elementary School.”