This race uses an unusual age-handicapped format, in which older runners start early and younger runners start late. There are approximately 20 separate start times, based USATF age-grade tables for men and women. Winners of the race have ranged from teens to 50-somethings, both men and women. All runners receive prizes since all participants are encouraged to contribute unique used items to the prize pool. Past prizes have included 1970s baseball cards, a Simpsons dart board, a New Guinean sheath. More conventional prizes also are awarded, including cherry, apple, and blueberry pies in commemoration of the nation's birthday. 

Race Director: Dylan Barlett

Distance and course: Double out-and-back between the 9 and 11 mile markers on the C&O Canal Towpath, start and finish at Carderock Recreation Area, MD.

Registration and Fees:

• Online advance registration through 4 PM the day before the race:
  • $0 for club members
  • $10 for non-members
• On-site, day-of-race registration: No On-Site Registration due to NPS rules

Who is registered? check this list. You should receive a confirmation email but sometimes they end up in a spam folder. This list will serve as the alternative confirmation of your registration.

If you signed up for the race and can no longer run please email races@dcroadrunners.org to inform us of your cancelation. There will be no refund for canceling but you will open up a spot for a fellow runner.

If you would like information about our club membership and the many benefits go to our membership page.

Refund Policy: We have a strict no refund, no transfer and no deferral policy on all of our low key races. However, in the event we are forced to cancel this race due to weather or other unforeseen events we will make every attempt to reschedule this race on another date. In this event, your registration would automatically carry over to the new date. If you are unable to run this new date or we are unable to find a new date for the race we will grant you free entry into another of our low key races in which room is available.

Volunteers: We need many volunteers to help coordinate the race events.  If you would like to volunteer, please sign-up here or email Dylan Barlett for more information.

Race-day Information: The Age-Handicapped 4-Miler will start at 8:00 am at the Carderock Recreation Area, Maryland. No street address available since it’s in a National Park. To access Google directions, click here or use the following address: Carderock Recreation Area, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park, Potomac, Maryland 20854. Capital Beltway (I-495), Exit 41 (Clara Barton Parkway). Follow signs that say: Maryland and/or Carderock/Glen Echo. Drive about a mile and exit Right at the Carderock sign. Follow additional signs to the parking lots."Race Headquarters" is located at the first parking area after you go through the culvert and then turn right.

Post Race Celebration: After the race stick around and celebrate a great run with your fellow runners, watch the awards announcements and partake in refreshments. Along the same vein as awards we do not guarantee food. But again we love to provide it after our races. Our races will generally have food and drinks at the post race celebration. We will have Gatorade and/or water at all functions and occasionally coffee or hot chocolate as well. Food can include bagels, cookies, fruit and even sometimes cake. So stick around and enjoy the celebration.

Stroller and Dog Policy: This race is held on a fairly narrow public trail. In addition to the many race participants this trail also remains open to the public for use by walkers, runners and bicyclers. As such, dogs and strollers are prohibited on this particular course.

Headphone Policy: The use of headphones is strongly discouraged at all DCRR Club races.