Run the Monuments: A First-Timer's Guide to Running DC's Most Iconic Miles
Whether you are visiting Washington, DC, just moved here, or want to reconnect with the beautiful sights of the city, there is no better way to do it than running. The city was designed to be seen from the ground (with pit stops atop the Washington Monument or Old Post Office Building), with long sight lines, wide paths, and landmarks spaced just far enough apart that you could have sworn this would be a short run and the Lincoln Memorial is a quick quarter mile jog from Capitol Hill.
This guide is for you.
The Route
Start at the Lincoln Memorial.
The Pic
There is Metro access nearby at Foggy Bottom or street parking along Ohio Drive SW if you drive in. You can also grab a Capital Bikeshare or rent a scooter to avoid the hassles of parking and traffic. Lincoln also gives you a natural elevated view east down the Reflecting Pool toward the Washington Monument, which is about as good an opening frame as running gets. Did you really run the National Mall if you don’t post “The Pic” and make a Forrest Gump joke?
Head east along the north side of the Reflecting Pool. The path here is wide and paved, shared with cyclists and tourist groups. If you’re a mid-morning runner, you will definitely be dodging groups that walk five abreast.
The WWII Memorial sits at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool, and it is worth slowing down here. The memorial is built around a fountain, with 56 pillars representing each state and territory. Most people walk through it. Running through it at a jog and then circling back on foot for a closer look is a reasonable approach if you want to keep moving.
From there, continue east toward the Washington Monument. The hill leading up to it is gentle but noticeable, the one elevation change you will find on this stretch. Once you crest it, the path opens back up with views of the Capitol to the east and the Jefferson Memorial to the south.
The path from the Washington Monument to the Capitol runs about 1.5 miles, straight and flat, with the dome growing steadily larger in front of you. Running the loop around the Capitol grounds adds roughly a mile and puts you on quiet sidewalks through some of the more underappreciated architecture in the city. Just make sure you account for the hill part of Capitol Hill.
Turn around and head back west. On the return, take the south side of the Mall, passing the newly renovated Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Castle. If you need a breather, stop and enjoy the gardens along the way. Many offer a shaded seat and a reprieve from the crowds.
Once you’ve arrived back at the Washington Monument, consider dropping south toward the Tidal Basin. The loop around the Tidal Basin is about 1.75 miles, passes the Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, and the MLK Memorial, and is one of the better continuous stretches of path in DC.
In spring, during cherry blossom season, it is genuinely stunning, though crowded enough that you will need patience with pedestrian traffic.
Distance
A straightforward out-and-back from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol and back runs a little more than 4.5 miles depending on your detours. Add the Tidal Basin loop and you are closer to six or seven. If you want a shorter run, the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument and back is a comfortable two miles with no navigation required.
Logistics
Metro is the easiest way in. Foggy Bottom on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines puts you at the Lincoln Memorial end. Smithsonian, also on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines drops you mid-Mall near the Washington Monument. L'Enfant Plaza works if you are starting from the Jefferson Memorial side.
Restrooms are available at the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument visitor area, and at several points along the Mall. Most are open during daylight hours. Water fountains are seasonal, generally running from spring through fall, with multiple locations along the Mall.
If you are running in summer, carry water. The heat and humidity along the open Mall stretches can catch you off guard.
The paths are well-lit, which makes early morning runs very workable. That is actually the best time to do this. Before 7 a.m. on a weekday, the Mall belongs almost entirely to runners and the occasional dog walker. The light on the monuments in the early morning is worth setting an alarm for.
Beyond the Mall
Once you have the Mall route down, the city opens up considerably.
Rock Creek Park's Beach Drive is a few miles north and offers a completely different running experience, shaded and hilly. The Mount Vernon Trail picks up just across the Memorial Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial and runs 18 miles south along the Virginia side of the Potomac. The Capitol Hill neighborhoods east of the Capitol are quiet and residential, good for adding miles without crowds.
The Mall is the right place to start. Run it once and you will understand why people keep coming back to it.
