Hello Saturday Long Runners!
I thought about switching out this route due to the forecasted rain tomorrow, but realized everyone was just going to run an out and back on the CCT anyways. If you'd like to brave the trails in the rain I've outlined that below, but please be careful as it will likely be slick. Now let's get into it:
The Route: This week we'll be treated to some trails and hills as we head up to Battery Kemble Park (strava, gps, pdf). To get there, we'll cross the Key Bridge and head up the Capital Crescent Trail and over to Potomac Ave past the Washington Aqueduct and up the very steep Chain Bridge Road Hill into the park. Historically, there have been some issues with off-leash dogs along the trail here, so please be careful and watch out for dogs that are "so friendly" and "just want to play". Note the cue sheet for this route says 16 miles, which assumes two loops of the park. We're calling it 15 here at SLR HQ for only one loop (because let's be honest, after one time up the Chain Bridge Road Hill you probably won't want another). This is also a great route for everyone who wants to "just do an out and back on the CCT" every week. Just stay straight instead of turning up the trail and take this old railroad line all the way to Bethesda!
Want Something Shorter? This is one of my favorite routes because there are so many ways to change the distance for it and still get to run in some really neat places! 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. For even less (around 12.5 miles), take a left on Potomac Ave instead of a right when coming back down from Battery Kemble. There is a small trail at the end of the street (which I refer to as "Mark B's Trail", because he's the one who first introduced me to it). This takes you down to the bridge on the CCT and is a great way to get all the sights of the route without as much of the mileage. If 12.5 is still to much, take a left on McArthur Boulevard instead of a right and run straight down MacArthur 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? We need more loops, Batman! Each additional loop of Battery Kemble Park will add an extra 1.3 miles to your run (and about 175 feet of climbing). If you want something flatter, an out and back on either the canal or the CCT is a great bet (though calling the CCT up in Maryland flat is a bit of a hard sell).
Thirsty? There are water fountains at mile 3.3 and 12.4 at Fletcher's Cove Boathouse that were turned off last time I ran through, but the bathrooms have running water. There is also a water fountain at the turnaround on the CCT at miles 5 and 10.7, which is actually turned on as of late December.
Need a Bathroom? The bathrooms at Fletcher's Cove at miles 3.3 and 12.4 are your best options along this route. There have also historically been some along Potomac Ave with random home improvement projects, but those aren't a guarantee.
The next club race is Sunday's Al Lewis 10 Miler and 5 Miler on Hains Point. We're not desperate for volunteers for this one anymore (thanks to everyone who signed up!) but we can always use more if youre in the mood to help out!
Happy Running!
Anna
