Mile Zero: The 3,700-Mile Trail That Starts at the Capitol
The Capitol Reflecting Pool sits quiet most mornings, a shallow mirror catching the first light beneath the dome. Runners loop the perimeter on their usual routes—three miles, maybe five if they're extending down to the monuments. Tourists arrive later with their cameras. Commuters cut through on autopilot. Nobody stops to consider that this particular spot, this pool at the base of Capitol Hill, marks Mile Zero of the longest car-free trail in America.
Make Your Winter Running Suck Less
The cold weather is here—we even got an early December snow. But running doesn't have to be miserable just because temperatures are dropping below freezing. Here's how to stay comfortable when winter hits the D.C. area.
The 2025 Capital Runner Gift Guide: Stuff Runners Actually Want
Whether you're shopping for someone training for their first race, a veteran chasing another PR, or treating yourself after a solid training block, these recommendations cut through the noise of running retail to focus on what actually matters.
Theodore Roosevelt Bridge Pedestrian Path Closure December 11-22
Beginning Thursday, December 11, the pedestrian path on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge will be temporarily closed as part of the ongoing rehabilitation work on the bridge connecting Arlington, VA to Washington, D.C., according to the District Department of Transportation. The December closure will allow crews to install the foundations for new overhead sign structures.
No Regrets: Inside the Taco Bell DC 50K
“This is the stupidest thing I have ever done!” The cry was heard as hundreds of chilly runners—fueled by ambition and their first Taco Bell meal of the day—set off down King Street in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Ultimate Guide to Running in Washington, D.C.
Step onto the Mall at sunrise, and you'll get it immediately. Runners are already circling the monuments, headlamps cutting through the pre-dawn darkness. By 7:00 AM, the trails are buzzing. And by evening? The paths are still packed with people chasing miles between their day jobs and whatever comes next.
Run Club Spotlight: GOOD GRiEF
Meet the GOOD GRiEF, an Austin, TX- and Washington, DC-based running club that focuses on mental health alongside their passion for running. Their mission is to help people find the good in grief, fostering a joyful and kind community where people can be themselves. We spoke with the GOOD GRiEF DC team to get the low-down on the group and learn how people can get involved.
Running 31 Miles on Taco Bell: DC's Most Unconventional Ultra
Nearly 1,000 runners from 25 states and Washington, D.C. will spend their post-Thanksgiving Saturday attempting something ambitious and unconventional: running 31 miles through Northern Virginia and DC while eating at nine different Taco Bell locations.
DC MBT Trail Expands to Takoma
DC's Metropolitan Branch Trail just gained 1.7 miles of car-free running real estate. The Fort Totten–Takoma segment opened, closing one of the last gaps in the 8-mile corridor from Union Station to Silver Spring.
Off the beaten path: Hidden Gems Throughout the DMV
Once you’ve mastered the DC classics (Rock Creek Park, National Mall, MBT, Anacostia, and the Capital Crescent), you may be looking for somewhere new to run. Fortunately, for DC runners willing to travel a little further from home, the area is chock full of interesting routes to test your fitness. Some of these are metro accessible, and some will require four wheels, but they’re all worth the trip.
Run Club Spotlight: DC Capital Striders
If you've been running in DC for any length of time, you've probably crossed paths with DC Capital Striders. With group runs across DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland, they're one of the most established and welcoming running communities in the area. We sat down with the group to learn what makes them tick.
New Route Unveiled for 2026 Cherry Blossom 5K
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K will be held on April 11, 2026, but the usual route has been changed to accommodate the ongoing Tidal Basin Seawall reconstruction project. The new route, unveiled earlier this week, will now begin on Army-Navy Dr. in Arlington, Virginia.
Welcome to The Capital Runner
If you've ever laced up your shoes for a lap around the Tidal Basin, pushed through the humidity on Rock Creek Trail, or shown up to a group run not knowing a soul, this newsletter is for you.
Five Routes Every DC Runner Should Know
DC is home to many great trails. Here are the five that all runners should know.