Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Congratulations to everyone who ran Marine Corps Marathon and thank you to everyone who came out on the course to cheer! It was a great weekend in the DC running and I like to think DCRR was a huge part of that. We’ve got some great weather on deck this weekend as our fall colors are peaking. Now let’s get into it:
The Route: While running MCM last weekend and slogging through the last two miles (iykyk) I realized we haven’t done Long Bridge Park (strava, gps, pdf) in a while because of the construction by the Pentagon. Well lucky for us, the construction is done and you probably won’t throw up in Crystal City like I did last weekend. We’ll head around the Pentagon pond to Long Bridge Park, where we’ll get a tour of Crystal City’s new water park and head down Crystal Drive. This will take us to Potomac Ave and eventually to the Mount Vernon Trail. We’ll return up the Mount Vernon Trail and finish at the park. If you haven’t done this route before it can get a little confusing down in Alexandria, review the maps ahead of time and remember your goal is to get to the river.
Want Something Shorter? The Pentagon Pond is paved perfectly on the perimeter (try saying that three times fast). This makes for a great way to flush out your legs from last weekend. Otherwise hopping on the metro in Crystal City or Alexandria can cut the route without an out and back. You can also get on the Mount Vernon Trail in Crystal City, which will get you less mileage and a little loop.
Need a Longer Route? Heading down the Mount Vernon Trail will get you some extra miles in any amount. Alternatively, heading in and out of DC on any of the bridges will get you about 2 miles extra, depending on the bridge. For some more hills, add on Custis at the end of the run instead.
Thirsty? With fall also comes the time of year when every water fountain’s functionality is in jeopardy. The one on the Mount Vernon Trail by the airport has historically been on year round, but I wouldn’t depend on it. Bring fluids tomorrow!
Need a Bathroom? There are some slightly off the beaten path in Crystal City at Eads Park and there should be some slightly more on the beaten path in the water park, but I’m not sure when the latter open. Gravelly Point also has the “well, they exist” bathrooms (and rumor has it will be getting permanent facilities just in time for the heat death of the universe, or as NPS calls it “probably 2027”).
The next club race is the Alexandria Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning! This one of my favorite races in the region (and the metro is even open to get to the start)! We also need a tremendous amount of volunteers to keep this race running smoothly, so please consider helping out either race morning or the week before with packet pickup if you're in the area for the holiday! DCRR Memberships expire on November 30th! Renew yours today, tell your friends to renew theirs, and have them tell their friends to renew theirs!
Happy Running!
Anna
