The Capital Runner

RUNNING NEWS

Call for Submissions: Run Club Romance

I read a piece in TIME about dating within your run club and how it often goes sideways. The writer's point: dating apps aren't the problem, people are. It got me thinking about all the DMV runners who succeeded or failed to date a running buddy. If you have a run club romance story you'd like to share for an upcoming story, hit reply and tell me all about it. I will keep you anonymous if you'd like.

Vote for The Capital Runner for "Best of D.C."

We are humbled to be nominated for Washington City Paper's "Best of D.C." list this year. If you're a fan of the newsletter and want to support us, consider voting for us.

Detour Coming for Gravelly Point Construction

If you run, ride, or walk the Mount Vernon Trail anywhere near Gravelly Point, your route is about to change for quite a while. The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority is putting a temporary detour in place as part of the Long Bridge Project, the 1.8-mile rail overhaul that will eventually relieve one of the worst freight and passenger bottlenecks on the East Coast. The detour goes into effect around May 22nd and stays in place until construction wraps in 2030.

How to Train for a Fall Marathon in DC's Summer Heat

So you signed up for a fall marathon (or in my case JFK50), and now that temps are hitting 80 and 90 degrees, you are realizing just how miserable training in the summer months can be. Fortunately, if you can survive June, July, and August, you will be a stronger runner this fall. We put together a quick guide with tips to survive the heat.

The Marathoner's Library: Five Books to Anchor Your Training

Speaking of fall marathon training, if you are looking to up your training this year, we put together a list of our favorite training books. No surprises here, Hansons, Pfitz, and Jack Daniels lead the crowd.

Find the Best Running Routes in DC, Maryland, and Virginia

Finding a running route in the DMV is not the hard part. Finding the right route for the right workout, with parking, a Metro stop, and a bathroom you can actually count on, that's where things get complicated. We built the DMV Running Route Finder to help runners find the right routes based on their workout type. There are 24 routes in the database, spanning the District, Northern Virginia, and the Maryland suburbs.

Want me at your next run?

I'm looking to spend more time on the ground with DMV run clubs this spring and summer. If your group wants a visit from The Capital Runner, I'll show up, run with your group, hang for the post-run coffee or beer, and write about it.

Hit reply or email me at [email protected] with your meeting spot and a few dates that work.

RACE CALENDAR

Down the Stretch Track Fest

Paul Thurston 5K

DC Road Runners 2026 Mile Time Trials

14th Annual DC Front Runners' Pride 5K

OSS/CIA 50 Mile Night Run

Bastille Day 5K

George Washington Patriot Run