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Welcome! This is the home of the world-famous (well, maybe locally well-known) SLR.
Our start time is at 8:00 AM until next summer! Every Saturday we meet at North Meade Street Park, a small park northwest of the USMC War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) in Rosslyn. The closest address for mapping purposes is 1300 Arlington Blvd, and street parking is available in the neighborhoods adjacent to N. Meade Street. Be mindful of parking signs, since Arlington County enforces them enthusiastically, and please do not park on Marine Memorial Circle (inside Iwo Jima), because this parking area is for memorial use only. At least one porta-john is available year-round near the Iwo Jima Memorial, and the memorial's water fountain is usually on during the summer.
We run rain or shine! In cases of extreme weather (snow, ice, thunderstorms, heat waves) we do occasionally either change our meeting time or cancel the run for safety, but the run will be held as planned unless otherwise posted via email/twitter/facebook and here on the SLR web page.
All are welcome! We're an informal group, and there are no requirements for speed, racing experience, or what distance means "long" for you, other than the suggested route that most of our group will be running each week. If you don't want to run the same distance or course as the main group, you can go out for half of your own target distance and re-trace your steps back to Iwo Jima. More specific route info and mileage options will be given in the email/post preceding each Saturday's run. SLR always features a run from our extensive Route Catalog, which gives us a wide range of options to keep things fresh for you each week. We have routes that are flat, hilly, looped, out & back, roads, sidewalks, trails, and more, reaching all around the local area of DC, VA, and MD!
For more details about Saturday Long Runs please read our Frequently Asked Questions to get a sense for what it's like to run with us, or send an email to Anna if you have any other questions that are not covered.
To receive weekly SLR updates via email, please log in and check your email subscriptions.
Schedule:
| Date | Miles | Route Map | Navigation Downloads | Post/Mid-Run Beverages |
| 2/7 | 14 | Capital Crescent Trail OaB | GPS & PDF | |
| 2/14 | 12 | Custis - W&OD | GPS & PDF | |
| 2/21 | 12 | Pentagon Army Navy | GPS & PDF | |
| 2/28 | 14 | Ross Drive | GPS & PDF |
SLR: 12 Miles Custis W&OD Out and Back
Hello Saturday Long Runners!
I'm out in Albuquerque for the next two weekends, but fear not, Nate will be kicking you off in them morning. Last week's combination of snow and freezing temperatures meant he was actually the only SLR attendee, so someone please run with him this weekend! Now let's get into it:
The Route: It's boring, you've probably run it a million times in the last few weeks, but by golly there isn't snow and ice on it, it's Custis W&OD (strava, gpx, pdf). We'll head up Custis, take a right on the W&OD and make our way out to Falls Church, where we'll turn around just past the Basketball courts before the 5 mile marker on the W&OD.
Want Something Shorter or Longer? Out and backs make that easy! Turn around early for less mileage. For more I recommend turning around at the normal turnaround but running further down the W&OD. Falls Church doesn't plow their trails, so the W&OD out there is likely still snowpacked and icy.
Thirsty? The fountain along Custis in the Clarendon area is working! The one at the corner of the W&OD, however, has proven that even freeze-proof fountains freeze sometimes. Hopefully next week's big melt will get that one working again.
Need a Bathroom? There are a few portopotties out along the route, which are your best bets for tomorrow morning.
The next club race is tomorrow at the appropriately rescheduled Valentine's Day 5K in Rock Creek Park. If you're in the mood for a change of scenery it's a great option for the morning!
Happy Running!
Anna
SLR: 12 Miles Capital Crescent OaB
Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Well, I am keeping this week's e-mail short as it is going to be dangeously cold again...probably more so than the last time I led 2 weeks ago. Windchill that will definitely be well below zero presents a huge frostbite risk to any uncovered skin! Since we had 10 folks two weeks ago, I know some of you sickos will be back for more so the route this week is Capital Crescent Trail (strava, pdf), since by all accounts it is clear enough for safe running. I arbitrarily picked 12 miles as the distance but of course make it as short or as long as you want.
I don't know if the Fletcher's restrooms will be open (probably?) but obviously carry water because, yes, you can get dehydrated even in this weather.
The next club race is the rescheuled Valentine's 5K in Rock Creek (now actually on Valetine's!); register or volunteer.
Stay safe,
Nate
No SLR: Ice and Snow
Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Welp, I've tried to find a way from North Meade Park to a plowed area and haven't been successful. As such SLR tomorrow 1/31 is cancelled along with all training program runs.
"But Anna I still want to run?!"
Of course you do and you're going to do it regardless of what I say, so here are some good options for longer stretches of plowed areas in the DC Region:
1. Treadmills - It's going to be 9* tomorrow morning, running inside will save you from wind chafing (ask me how I know what that is...). Yes it's boring, but Bridgerton Season 4 just released so you've got something to pass the time with (okay actually, probably don't watch that in a public gym).
Okay okay you insist on going outside I get it. Please stay safe, bundle up, and be mindful of ice!
1. W&OD in Arlington - From roughly Columbia Pike to East Falls Church the trail is plowed to 1-1.5 lanes. The parking lot at Bluemont Park has been mostly dug out and is a good option. Custis is partially plowed from around Ballston to the W&OD, though the connector trails are not plowed, so you may have to trudge through a snowbank or two to get there. Custis is not completely plowed down to Rosslyn! Bluemont Trail is partially plowed, but it is not plowed between Florida St and the W&OD, so if you try getting down that direction from Ballston you will be met with disappointment.
2. Capital Crescent Trail in Maryland - The Maryland portion of the CCT has one lane plowed from roughly Bethesda down to Brookmont. Be careful when passing others!
3. Whitehust Freeway - Yes, it doesn't snow under whitehurst freeway, no I wouldn't really recommend doing a long run there, but worse running sins have been committed (Hains Point).
4. The Mall - Large parts of the Mall sidewalks are plowed, but it's difficult to get there. Many other DC sidewalks are not plowed, be careful if you're going this route in the morning.
Thank you so much to everyone who posted on Strava recapping what is and isn't plowed. Help your fellow runner out, let them know which parts of the trails were runnable if you do venture outside!
Have a safe and warm run no matter where you are tomorrow!
Anna
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Upcoming Events
| DCRRC Burke Lake 12K Sun, Mar 8th, 2026, @10:00am |
| Four Courts Four Milers Sat, Mar 14th, 2026, @9:00am |
| DCRRC Belle Haven 10K Sun, Mar 22nd, 2026, @8:00am |
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The DC Road Runners Club is a member of the Road Runners Club of America and is also affiliated with USA Track & Field. We provide a year-round schedule of running events that offer everyone a chance to participate regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability. |