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SLR July 14 - Piney Branch

Hello Saturday Runners!

This Saturday, July 14th, we will be running the Piney Branch route. Its about 12.5 miles as written, or you can cut back across the Georgetown waterfront and take Memorial bridge back for a few extra.  Fortunetely we have gotten a bit of a break from the heat and starting temps should be in the 70s (7am start time only this week).  Still starting at the park NW of Iwo Jima.

Please give a big thanks to our drink volunteers: Eric Waskowicz will be providing post-run drinks again, and former SLR leader Kristin Dahling will be providing mid-run drinks. Mid-run drinks are critical on hot summer days like this and we still have a few dates open: August 18 and 25 and a few early Saturdays in September while its still hot out. Please email slr@dcroadrunners.org if you can help out.

Directions: From Iwo Jima, head across Memorial Bridge.

1.5 - At Lincoln Memorial, go left up 23rd St. NW through George Washington University.

2.5 - At Washington Circle, BEAR RIGHT on New Hampshire Ave.

3.3 - Pass through Dupont Circle and stay on New Hampshire.

4.0 - BEAR LEFT on 16th St. You will soon pass by Meridian Hill Park (Malcom X Park) which runs along the right for a few blocks. Feel free to run through here and see North America's longest cascading waterfall, but then get back on 16th St. again.

5.5 - Just after crossing over bridge over Piney Branch, turn RIGHT on Arkansas Ave. Then a QUICK RIGHT on road to loop under the bridge.

6.5 - When this road ends at Rock Creek, turn RIGHT (on a road) then a QUICK LEFT (on a bike path). Turn LEFT on Rock Creek Trail to return towards Iwo Jima.

10.0 - RIGHT on C&O Canal Towpath to return across Key Bridge and back through Rosslyn, thats about 12.5 miles.

OR - for a few extra miles, run down to the Georgetown waterfront, take that towards DC and take the Rock Creek trails south.  Take Memorial bridge back.  This makes is like 14.5 miles.

Thats all for now! Happy Running!

-- Erik

SLR July 7 - Upton Hill Route

Hello Saturday Runners!

This Sat, July 7th, we will be running the Upton Hill Route, as written its 12 miles but since its an out-and-back feel free to dial it down as needed (or tack on a few extra).  Its going to be insanely hot out; 80 by sunrise, 90s by 10am, and into the 100's in the afternoon so its critical to take it easy, drink plenty of fluids, and only run during the coolest times of the day.  We will have a group starting at 6am as well as a group starting at 7am Saturday.

Please give a big thanks to our drink volunteers: Eric Waskowicz will be providing post-run drinks, and Janet Abbate will provide mid-run drinks (might even get to hit these twice). Mid-run drinks are critical on hot summer days like this and we still have a few dates open: August 18 and 25 and a few early Saturdays in September while its still hot out. Please email slr@dcroadrunners.org if you can help out.

Directions: Run through Rosslyn and go left onto the Custis Trail.  At 4.5 miles out  Turn RIGHT at trail spur just before Mile Marker 0.0. The spur will be at the bottom of a hill and immediately before the trail goes under I-66.  Keep Westover Park on your left and follow N. Kennebec St.  Turn LEFT onto N. 11th St.  At 5.0 miles out Turn LEFT onto Patrick Henry Drive.  Be careful crossing Wilson Blvd.  At 6.0 miles out is Upton Hill Regional Park. This route is out-and-back. Circle parking lot and begin retracing your steps back down Patrick Henry Dr, back to Custis and down to Rosslyn.  Turn around early to shorten as needed.

Check the route map and cue sheet too.  Yes, as the name implies it is hilly, but the uphill portion is the first half so you can cruise back down once you turn around.  Fortunetely, in addition to our mid-run drink stop there are a few water fountains along the route.  At least one along the Custis Trail, and another water fountain with bathroom in Upton Hill Regional Park (where you turn around).

Stay cool out there and try to keep those "heat tips" in mind from a few weeks ago,

-- Erik