Hello Saturday Runners!
This Sat, March 24th, we will be running the Water Route – this was the closest thing I could find to a Cherry Blossom route. This route brings us around the Tidal Basin and Hains Point, and considering the Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom I thought this would be appropriate. Check the map too for clarification.
Some people might be taking it easy and some might be doing their last long run before Boston so do as much or as little as you need. Please thank Janet Braunstein for our post-run beverages. Email slr@dcroadrunners.org if you would like to volunteer in the future.
Directions: Begin at Iwo Jima. Run through Rosslyn across Key Bridge toward Georgetown. Sharp RIGHT after bridge down to river side of C&O Canal. LEFT on C&O Towpath and QUICK RIGHT down steps to K St. LEFT on K St Eastbound toward the Washington Harbor. ZIGZAG RIGHT and LEFT to get onto the path fronting river (heading downstream). Pass by left side of Thompson Boat Center and take a RIGHT at the Rock Creek Trail, passing Watergate and Kennedy Center. Continue on Rock Creek Trail past Lincoln Memorial, visit Lincoln is desired. After running under the Memorial Bridge, STAY to the right and follow the path between Ohio Drive roadway and the river. Continue running past 14th Street Bridge and counter clockwise around Haines Point. Pass under some overpasses to arrive at the Tidal Basin. Turn RIGHT and circle the Tidal Basin counterclockwise, eventually passing the new MLK memorial. After passing FDR, turn LEFT on East Basin Drive, cross the street, run ~100 yards and turn HARD RIGHT up the incline to the 14th Street Bridge back to Virginia. At end of 14th St. bridge take left on Mt. Vernon trail, run down to the end of DCA, turn around at intersection with 4 Mile run trail. Head back to Iwo Jima via memorial Bridge.
Heated bathrooms with running water under the Lincoln Memorial and under the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
Mileage Options:
- 9: Skip the loop around Hains Point – While on Ohio Drive, take left on East Basin Drive and do the loop around the Tidal Basin, then take 14th street bridge back to VA
- 12: Follow cut sheet exactly, come back to Iwo Jima via Mt. Vernon trail after 14th St. bridge
- 17: After taking 14th Street bridge back into VA, run out to the end of DCA and turn around (or go farther if you need more miles)
Congrats to everyone who ran The Rock-n-Roll USA Half and Full Marathons in D.C. last weekend! Just over 3 weeks until Boston.
Looks like temps in the high 50s – Have a great run!
-- Erik
