Run Club Spotlight: DC Road Runners
For this week's Run Club Spotlight, we caught up with the folks at DC Road Runners, one of the region's longest-running clubs with a schedule built for just about every type of runner in the city.
Courtesy of DC Road Runners.
What makes DC Road Runners different from other running groups?
Our club offers something for every runner.
Are you a casual runner looking for a group to run a few miles with on a weeknight or a fun, low-cost race on the weekend? Join us at Monday Chill Run after work, or a Snowball Series or Bunion Derby race during the winter and summer seasons ($10 entry for non-members).
Are you chasing a new best time and working to increase your speed? Check out our coached track runs on Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings.
Hoping to finish your first 10-Miler, Half, or Full Marathon…or chasing a Boston Qualifier (or faster)? Sign-up for our Spring and Fall trainings programs or just drop in on our Saturday Long Run.
We also have a running-themed book club and host happy hours. Really, if you are a person that runs, or wants to run, we have an event for you and a group of runners ready to welcome you!
We are equal parts “serious runner” and “fun runner,” “participant” and “volunteer”, with a strong sense of community. Our mission is to support all runners, regardless of experience or pace, in the pursuit of their goals.
When/Where does the group meet?
Monday: 6:30pm @ Duke’s Grocery in Foggy Bottom (4-6miles)
Wednesday: 6:45pm @ Washington-Liberty HS Track
Thursday: 5:40am @ Yorktown HS Track
Saturday: Long Run 8am (Winter)/7am (Summer) @ North Meade Street Park, Rosslyn, VA
*check our website to confirm location and start times as tracks are sometimes closed and run start times and locations may change*
What is the mix of runners and who thrives in your group?
DC Road Runners span all paces from sub-7 min/mile to 13+ min/mile. You’ll find the widest range of paces at Saturday Long Run.
The type of runner that runs, and supports other runners that run. Whether you’re sprinting around a track, embracing the airborne shuffle, cruising down the CCT, or run/walking to the finish. You can find a place with DC Road Runners.
Experience levels range from very beginner in our Couch to 10k program in the Spring, to runners that have logged thousands of miles. Runners can reach out to training@dcroadrunners.org for info on which runs will have the most support for their experience level and speed. Our runs and training programs are also open to non-members, though of course we hope runners will enjoy the events and become members!
Walk us through a typical DC Road Runners run.
Most runs will start with an introduction by the group lead or coach who will explain the route or workout and ask if there are any newcomers. During the run folks will generally break up into pace groups for the run or workout. Saturday long run focuses on conversation pace running, while mid-week track workouts will be speed focused (though *speed* is relative and all experience levels and paces are welcome to come out for the workouts, you do not need to be “fast” already to benefit from speed work!).
After the runs, we usually regroup for beverages or food.
Newcomers are always welcome to drop in on our runs. If you want to be sure your pace or experience level is supported at a specific run, please contact us at training@dcroadrunners.org
What do current members say they love most about running with you?
Training groups that make Saturday morning long runs fun, social, and something to look forward to;
Supportive and knowledgeable coaching and pacing community, and the guidance we provide to help runners achieve their goal race times or cross their first finish line;
Affordable, consistent, high-quality race experiences and an opportunity to push themselves alongside a supportive, competitive community;
The swag (we give away quite a bit of swag during the year);
Welcoming to runners of all levels.
Share a tradition that captures what DC Road Runners is all about.
Too many to share. Luckily many of them have already been shared on our socials and by our members. Follow us and see what we’re all about!
How can people find you and get involved?
Find us on Facebook and Strava (DC Road Runners), Instagram (@dcroadrunners), or our website www.dcroadrunners.org.
