The Washington RunHers, a club dedicated to promoting women's running in the Washington metropolitan area, is kicking off their 2008-09 Winter Maintenance program on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008. The RunHers Winter Maintenance program is designed to help female runners who want to maintain or improve their conditioning during the cold winter months with the camaraderie of other dedicated runners. The weekly workouts include drills, pick-ups, pace work, resistance, and strength training and are designed to improve running form, focus, speed, and overall strength. Female runners of all abilities are welcomed.

Workouts are held weekly from 6:15-8:00 p.m. on the National Mall (on the gravel pathway on the west side of the mall about 100 meters up from 14th Street). There is plenty of free parking on the roads along the mall and the Smithsonian metro stop is a short jog from the meeting location. The track program costs $90 for club members. Prospective new participants may join RunHers for $20/year or $35/2 years.

Ladies who are interested in learning more about the program are invited to the next RunHers meeting on Sunday, November 16, 2008 from 4-5:00 p.m. at Cameron Perks at 4911 Brenman Park, Alexandria, VA. The coach will give a short talk about the program and answer questions. Attendees will also be able to learn about the Tanzania Foundation and their Nianjema Secondary School that provides educational opportunities to children in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. RunHers has been sending running shoe and clothing donations to the school and will be collecting more running shoes and shirts at the meeting.

Additional information on the Winter Maintenance Program, the meeting and RunHers can be found at www.washingtonrunhers.org.