Per Mike's message below and given the current conditions and forecast of a flash flood watch until 8AM, we will not run the entire Big Loop tomorrow. Several of the areas coming down through Rock Creek Park will be flooded and represent unsafe conditions. Instead we will run out and back on the Capital Crescent and follow the Big Loop course as far as Jones Mill (10.3M) then turn around and come back the same way you came. To get the extra 2.4M to make the 23M of the Big Loop continue up the Martha Custis Trail after crossing the Key Bridge and do another short out-n-back of 1.2M which is to the 1M marker on the Martha Custis Trail. This route keeps you on high ground and out of low lying areas as much as possible.
Aaron will be on the right side of the trail with mid-run beverages just before you cross Connecticut Ave. Remember to thank him for standing out there in what will no doubt be less than fun conditions.
Sorry about the change as I know out-n-back routes like this are less fun for this long a run. Safety is our first priority though. Thanks for understanding and I will see you out there for our 7AM start tomorrow morning.
Rich
--------------------------------
Hello Saturday Runners!
The route for Saturday October 3 will be 23 miles on the Capital Crescent / Rock Creek Loop (aka Big Loop) (additional map here). Three weeks out from the Marine Corps Marathon, this is a good chance to log your last long run. If you're not looking for a run quite this long, you can start with the group and do an out & back along the Captial Crescent Trail, turning around at any point.
Because of the heavy rain in the forecast, it's possible that the route will need to be modified to avoid some areas of Rock Creek Park that tend to flood. However, if no further announcements are made, then the plan will be to run the regularly schedule route.
I'm going to be out of town this weekend, but Rich Mendelowitz will be leading the run in my absence.
Please thank Angela Katson for post-run beverages, and Aaron Cheskis for mid-run beverages! We still need one more mid-run volunteer for next week before this wraps up for the fall. Though we're covered for the next few weeks of post-run drinks, we could use someone to take the last 2 weeks of October. A scheudle of routes and volunteer needs is posted on the SLR page so let me know what you can cover. Please email me any dates you'd like to do mid-run drinks, or at least 2 consecutive weeks (preferably 4 weeks) for post-run drinks - all beverage expenses will be reimbursed by the club.
Happy running!
Mike
