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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 for the rest of the year. 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 |
| 4/20 | 18 | Arboretum - Azaleas!! | Cue Sheet & GPS | |
| 4/27 | 12 | Piney Branch | Cue Sheet & GPS | |
| 5/4 | 14 | MBT - Catholic | Cue Sheet & GPS | |
| 5/11 | 14 | Capital Crescent OaB | Cue Sheet & GPS | |
| 5/18 | 16 | Arlington Loop | Cue Sheet & GPS | |
| 5/25 | 14 | Battery Garesche | Cue Sheet & GPS |
SLR - 15 Miles - Battery Kemble Park
Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Happy June! As is tradition on the first weekend in June, the Armed Forces Cycling Classic is this Saturday morning from 7AM to 10AM, which means there are a couple of road closures to keep in mind if you're travelling from the southeast. Namely, route 110 will be closed between Crystal City and Wilson Boulevard, so plan accordingly to make it to the park at North Meade Street. The weather looks decent, with lows in the mid-60s and the smokey skies from the last few days should clear up. Now let's get into it:
The Route: This week we'll be running Battery Kemble Park (strava, milimeter, pdf, gps), a 15.7 mile route up the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT), then up one very steep hill, and through Battery Kemble, a historic Civil War defense of Washington. Battery Kemble park has had problems in the past with some off leash dogs, so be careful while on the trail in the park. Otherwise, the footing is good and there is less than a mile of actual trails if those make your ankles nervous!
Want Something Shorter? There are tons of ways to shorten this route to any number of distances while still getting to enjoy the park, canal, and CCT. For about 14 miles, instead of taking the small out and back to the water fountain on the CCT, go straight up to the park and back. If you want event less, for around 12.5 miles take a left on Potomac Ave instead of a right when coming back from Battery Kemble. At the end of the street there is a small (and very steep) trail that will take you down to the bridge on the CCT (thanks Mark for showing me this trick!). 12.5 still too much? Instead of taking a right at the bottom of the park on McArthur Boulevard take a left and run straight down McArthur back to the Key Bridge and cross for 11 miles! Both the 12.5 and 11 mile options skip the out and back on the CCT like the 14 mile option.
Need a Longer Route? For a longer route and more hills, do any number of loops of Battery Kemble park. Each loop will add on an extra 1.3 miles to your run and about 174 feet of climbing. If you want a slightly flatter addition, the CCT and canal run for miles and adding an extra out and back on either is a breeze.
Thirsty? There is a water fountain at mile 3.3 and 12.4 at Fletcher's Cove Boathouse. Go down the stairs towards the snack shack and the river and the fountain will be on your left. There is also a water fountain at the turnaround on the CCT at miles 5 and 10.7. Carolyn is also bringing post-run drinks this week (and for the next few)! Thanks Carolyn! We always need more volunteers in the summer, so shoot me an email if you're able to help out!
Need a Bathroom? The bathrooms at Fletchers Cove at mile 3.3 and 12.4 are not only open, but have also been recently updated (read: the men's bathroom works now)! Otherwise there is usually a portopotty in a yard or two up in the Palisades neighborhood.
SLR this week provides the perfect pre-race shakeout for the Women's Distance Festival 5K and Run After the Women! This is one of my favorite races of the year and a great way to kick off the Bunion Derby series. If you can't race, please consider volunteering. We are desperately in need of volunteers for this event to help it run smoothly. As an added bonus if you are going to the race, the Bon Air Park rose garden is in full bloom and provides the perfect warmup route! The book club is also meeting on June 25th to discuss "For the Glory: The Untold and Inspiring Story of Eric Liddell, Hero of Chariots of Fire".
Happy Running!
Anna
SLR - 12 Miles - Cathedral Clintons (Alt Route)
Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Happy Memorial Day weekend! I'm currently up in Traverse City, Michigan getting ready for the Bayshore Marathon tomorrow, but fear not, the wonderful Jill Brasky will be taking over for what looks to be the perfect day for a long run (and hopefully a marathon)! Weather should be in the mid-50s and overcast to continue our streak of great spring weather. Now let's get into it:
The Route: You asked, we delivered! This Cathedral Clintons edition is a never-been-run-before (well I've test run it a few times) edition that removes the ever cumbersome trail through Dumbarton Oaks Park. Instead we'll go up to the Cathedral, take a gander at some grotesques, and run down (and down, and down) the newly redone Massachusettes Ave to Dupont Circle and over to the White House to come back via the Mall. I know the Dumbarton Oaks trail has been a sore spot for this route, so I'm hoping this version is a bit easier to navigate while still passing both the Cathedral and the Clintons (if you have ideas for other Cathedral Clintons variations, I'm all ears!). Strava, Cue Sheet (thanks Jill for making this one!) and GPS are attached.
Want Something Shorter? I've run this route as a 10 miler a few times by cutting down from Massachusettes Ave at 22nd Street and coming back along M Street (similar to the route here). This will still get you all the hills and embassies for a bit less mileage!
Need a Longer Route? Adding an extra out and back on the Mall towards the Capitol (and RFK if you're feeling exceptionally ambitious) is a great way to make this route any number of miles!
Thirsty? Unfortunately, water fountains on this route are few and far between, though there are some on the Mall around miles 9 to 10. We also don't have any volunteers for post run drinks this week. If you're interested in volunteering for post or mid run drinks in the future shoot me an email!
Need a Bathoroom? Last I checked a couple weeks ago, there's a portopotty near the top of Cleveland Ave. There are also bathrooms at the Washington Monument around mile 9, but be warned the ones on the Elm Walk near Signer's Island are closed indefinitely.
The next club race is the Women's Distance Festival 5K and Run After the Women next Sunday, June 4th. We're also in need of volunteers for the event if you're not planning on racing. There's also still time to read "For the Glory: The Untold and Inspiring Story of Eric Liddell, Hero of Chariots of Fire" for the next book club on June 25th!
Happy Running!
Anna
SLR - 15 Miles - Iron Triangle
Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Just a reminder that SLR now and throughout the summer will be starting at 7 AM! The weather for tomorrow looks as good as you can get in DC in late May: high 50s, overcast, and no wind. This week is also Sara Putterman's last SLR as a DC-area resident, be sure to wish her the best on her new adventures out in Denver and thank her for all that she's done for the club as VP of Operations, MCR co-founder, and much more!
The Route: This week we'll be attacking the hills of the Iron Triangle (strava, milermeter, pdf, gpx). This 15 mile loop runs up near the chain bridge before almost nearly following the old DC boundary down to Falls Church and back to Rosslyn via the W&OD and Custis Trails. Although Military, Glebe, Williamsburg, and Sycamore are not as busy on weekends, please remember to exercise caution as these are still open roads with high speed limits.
Want Something Shorter? To keep some hills and enjoy the canal in the spring, consider following the Chain Bridge Loop for a 10 miler. We also will pass the East Falls Church Metro station at mile 9 as well as Ballston-MU around mile 12 (you'll have to get off of Custis in Ballston, but it's a short run to the metro station from the trail).
Need a Longer Route? The W&OD makes it easy to add any number of miles to this route. The recent construction in Falls Church is mostly done and the trail and new bridge over 29 is a must-see if you haven't run it yet (to do this go west on the trail instead of east when we hit the trail in Falls Church). It's also possible to add on by continuing east on the trail instead of turning onto Custis.
Thirsty? There are a few water fountains on this route, but as is often true in the summer it's best to carry what you'll need. Zachary Taylor Park at mile 3.5, the corner of Custis and the W&OD at mile 10, and on Custis at mile 12.1 are your sure bets for fountains. Edgar will also be at mile 10.2 on Custis with mid-run drinks! Thanks once again to Christie for post run drinks this week! We're always in need of volunteers, especially in the summer, so be sure to reach out if you're interested and able!
Need a Bathroom? When I ran this route on Thursday there were plenty of portopotties sprinkled throughout the neighborhoods, including one on Nelly Custis (2.8), one just off Glebe (5.5), one just off Williamsburg (7ish), and one at Benjamin Banneker Park (9.0). Most of these are in yards for construction, so I won't 100% guarantee they're open, but I would put money on at least 1-2 of them being available. In a pinch, there are also bathrooms at Bon Air Park on the W&OD just after the turn onto Custis, which will require a little more mileage but has the perk of indoor plumbing.
The next club race is the Women's Distance Festival and Run After the Women 5K on Sunday June 4th, even if you don't want to race a 5K we also always need volunteers! There's also still time to read "For the Glory: The Untold and Inspiring Story of Eric Liddell, Hero of Chariots of Fire" by Duncan Hamilton for the next book club meeting on June 25th.
Happy Running!
Anna
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Upcoming Events
| DCRRC Women's Distance Festival 5K and Run After the Women 5K Sun, Jun 9th, 2024, @8:00am |
| Book Club Sun, Jun 16th, 2024, @4:00pm |
| DCRRC Age Handicapped 4-Miler Thu, Jul 4th, 2024, @8:00am |
| DCRRC Bluemont 5K Wed, Jul 24th, 2024, @7:00pm |
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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. |