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SLR Mar 24 - Water (aka Cherry Blossom) Route

Hello Saturday Runners!

This Sat, March 24th, we will be running the Water Route – this was the closest thing I could find to a Cherry Blossom route. This route brings us around the Tidal Basin and Hains Point, and considering the Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom I thought this would be appropriate.  Check the map too for clarification.

Some people might be taking it easy and some might be doing their last long run before Boston so do as much or as little as you need. Please thank Janet Braunstein for our post-run beverages. Email slr@dcroadrunners.org if you would like to volunteer in the future.

Directions: Begin at Iwo Jima. Run through Rosslyn across Key Bridge toward Georgetown. Sharp RIGHT after bridge down to river side of C&O Canal. LEFT on C&O Towpath and QUICK RIGHT down steps to K St. LEFT on K St Eastbound toward the Washington Harbor. ZIGZAG RIGHT and LEFT to get onto the path fronting river (heading downstream). Pass by left side of Thompson Boat Center and take a RIGHT at the Rock Creek Trail, passing Watergate and Kennedy Center. Continue on Rock Creek Trail past Lincoln Memorial, visit Lincoln is desired. After running under the Memorial Bridge, STAY to the right and follow the path between Ohio Drive roadway and the river. Continue running past 14th Street Bridge and counter clockwise around Haines Point. Pass under some overpasses to arrive at the Tidal Basin. Turn RIGHT and circle the Tidal Basin counterclockwise, eventually passing the new MLK memorial. After passing FDR, turn LEFT on East Basin Drive, cross the street, run ~100 yards and turn HARD RIGHT up the incline to the 14th Street Bridge back to Virginia. At end of 14th St. bridge take left on Mt. Vernon trail, run down to the end of DCA, turn around at intersection with 4 Mile run trail. Head back to Iwo Jima via memorial Bridge.

Heated bathrooms with running water under the Lincoln Memorial and under the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Mileage Options:

• 9: Skip the loop around Hains Point – While on Ohio Drive, take left on East Basin Drive and do the loop around the Tidal Basin, then take 14th street bridge back to VA
• 12: Follow cut sheet exactly, come back to Iwo Jima via Mt. Vernon trail after 14th St. bridge
• 17: After taking 14th Street bridge back into VA, run out to the end of DCA and turn around (or go farther if you need more miles)

Congrats to everyone who ran The Rock-n-Roll USA Half and Full Marathons in D.C. last weekend! Just over 3 weeks until Boston.

Looks like temps in the high 50s – Have a great run!

-- Erik

SLR Mar 17 - Monuments, Rock Creek trail

Hello Saturday Runners!

This Sat, March 17th, we will be running kind of a special route around the Lincoln and Washington Monuments and then doing an out and back on Rock Creek trail to get in additional miles.  Check the Map-my-run map for clarification.

We will have a special guest this week; The GAVI Alliance in conjuction with Comic Relief (a popular British charity) will be out to get some footage of interested runners in action for a charity program called Sport Relief.  Any runner who wants to participate will receieve a free shirt!  Please try to RSVP to mary@dcroadrunners.org if you can make it.  Free swag and a bit of fame! What more could you ask for?  Check the front page of DCRoadrunners.org for the full details.

The "Rock-n-Roll" Marathon in DC (Good Luck to all runners!) will be going on Saturday so keep an eye out for Marathon traffic, and road closures.  I will not be there this week but Kerry O'Brien will be subbing as SLR lead.  Please thank Kim Kruse for our post-run Beverages this week.  We currently do not have any drink volunteers for April (or beyond).  Email slr@dcroadrunners.org if you would be willing to help out (DCRRC reimburses your expenses).  We try to have people do 1 month at a time for logistics purposes.

Directions:  Start at Iwo Jima, take path south to Memorial Bridge to cross into DC. Veer Right at Lincoln Memorial and go around it Counter Clockwise, take Henry Bacon Drive to Constitution Ave. Run along Constitution Ave, staying in Service lane or sidewalk and watching for Marathon traffic or closures. Cut back in to the National Mall on 17th street, take footpath toward Washington Monument, around back of Monument, and Back down to 17th street. Turn left on 17th street, take sidewalk on Independence Ave west toward Lincoln Memorial. Take a Right on Daniel French Dr. toward Lincoln Memorial.  Now we can return to Iwo Jima via Memorial bridge for a 6 total Miles run - OR to get more miles in - Hop on to Rock Creek Park trail behind Lincoln.  Take North towards Georgetown.  Run as long as you like and turn around for an out and back. Return via Memorial Bridge.

Mileage Options:

• 6: Return to Iwo Jima via Memorial Bridge after coming back from the Monuments
• 11.5: After monuments, take Rock Creek trail North, turn around at BIG bridge under Massachusetts Ave and come back for 11.5 miles
• ??: Continue on Rock Creek trail North, turn around at entrance to the Zoo for 13.5, or longer if desired 

Looks like unseasonably warm weather in the upper 50s - Great for training runs! Maybe not so great for racing... Have Fun!

-- Erik