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SLR: **NEW ROUTE** 18 Miles College Tour

Hello Saturday Long Runners!

Roll Wave! Roll Tide! War Eagle! Go Hoos! Go Spirit! Okay that last one was definitely just a shameless plug that the unofficial professional sports team of SLR is headed to their second NWSL Championship in a row this weekend! No matter who you’re cheering for at the NCAA Championships this weekend SLR has your back for a college themed long run and a brand new route, including hometown favorite Georgetown, whose men and women’s teams will be facing off against the best of the nation in Columbia, MO this weekend. Now let’s get into it:

The Route: We’re taking a good old fashioned College Tour (strava, gps, pdf) this weekend and we’ve got a whole lotta turns on our plate. We’ll head across Key Bridge to Georgetown, up Wisconsin to American, across Van Ness to UDC, cut through Rock Creek Park on our way to Howard, take Michigan over to Trinity and Catholic, then head down the MBT to Gallaudet, and finally crossing the city via K Street to GWU. All in all that’s 18 miles, 8 colleges, and one great way to get pumped for NCAAs (or college football, if you’re into that).

Want Something Shorter? I get it, the champs start at 10:20 and that’s not a lot of time for an 18 miler. Head down Rock Creek Park instead of heading towards the MBT for a quick way to turn this into a 12 miler and still getting some great hills in. Another way to shorten the run is to make a right on Massachusetts just after American and enjoy the long downhill back into the city.

Need a Longer Route? We’ve maxed out the well-known institutions in DC, but you can always add some extra mileage down to the Mall for a couple more and an even 20.

Thirsty? Most of the fountains have been turned off for the season and we aren’t passing nearly enough Taco Bells along this route to depend on them, so bring some water in the morning. The MBT and Peirce Mill have some freeze proof fountains that should work in a pinch, though!

Need a Bathroom? There aren’t a ton of options here either outside of the MBT and Peirce Mill have the best option.

The next club race is the Turkey Trot and we need your help! This race doesn’t run without a tremendous amount of volunteers, sign up today!

Happy Running!
Anna

SLR: 15 Miles Iron Triangle

Hello Saturday Long Runners!

You have me for one more week, and it is another excellent fall morning (and another Spirit playoff gameday!) Let's get into it:

The Route: Bum bum bummmmm *insert menacing piano music here* it's Iron Triangle (strava, gps, pdf), a personal favorite of Anna's (and mine) and a personal horror of anyone who believes the mound in front of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing constitutes a hill. We'll head up Custis to Lorcom Lane and Military Road until we hit some more hills climbing Glebe and Williamsburg. After this we're treated to a lovely mile downhill into Falls Church before returning down Custis (yes! it's downhill coming east!). People tend to get a little lost on this route (including Anna once upon a time) so make sure to review the cue sheets ahead of time!

Want Something Shorter? For a few less hills and a few less miles, turn right at Military Road to do the Chain Bridge 10-miler. It'll allow you to be with the group for almost five miles before heading back in a much flatter way than how you came out. There are also excellent metro stops at mile 9 (East Falls Church) and 12 (Ballston-MU) where for a mere $2.50 you can be back to Rosslyn in a jiffy!

Need a Longer Route? The W&OD is a fabulous trail to add anywhere from 1 to 80 miles to your weekend long run!

Thirsty? Water fountains can be found at mile 3.5 in Zachary Taylor Park just off Military, at Fort Ethan Allen Park around mile 5, the Custis and W&OD interchange at mile 10, and along Custis at mile 12.

Need a Bathroom? Ethan Allen Park also has bathrooms around mile 5, and hopefully the ones at Westover Park (immediately after you turn on to Custis, take the first left after crossing under I-66) are not yet closed for the season. Otherwise there is always a house or two along this route that has some contruction going on and a portopotty in the yard, so keep your eyes peeled!

If you haven't signed up yet, the rescheduled National Capital 10- and 5-miler is Sunday morning. The Bunion Derby is coming up faster than you think, check the website for schedule and registration!

Happy Running!

Nate