1. Legg Mason Tennis Classic
Tennis superstars like Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt have headlined this U.S. Open Series tennis event at the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park. More than 72,000 fans took in the action from July 31 to August 9.
2. Washington Kastles Tennis
Joining the World Team Tennis League in 2008, the Washington Kastles are the newest franchise in the 10-team league, which plays a four-week schedule in 10 cities during July. Venus and Serena Williams anchor the Washington squad and are consistently the biggest draw at Kastles Stadium, a 2,020-seat temporary stadium built on the site of the former Washington Convention Center.
3. Marine Corps Marathon
Although the race is limited to 30,000 runners, more than 100,000 spectators line the 26.2-mile course that begins in Northern Virginia and winds through Northwest Washington, Foggy Bottom, and the National Mall before concluding at the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington.
4. Preakness Stakes
More than 100,000 people made the pilgrimage to Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course on May 15 for the 135th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. Hometown rockers O.A.R. and country act the Zac Brown Band headlined the pre-race concert.
5. SunTrust National Marathon
The only marathon fully run within the District of Columbia, this annual race has grown each year to attract more than 12,000 runners in its fifth year. This year also marked the first half-marathon competition. Next year’s race is set for March 26, 2011.
