Dustin Renwick

Dustin Renwick has been writing for RunWashington since 2013, in addition to various journalism and public affairs positions and a poetry sojourn. He photographed last year’s  taco mile.
See more of his writing here.

Name: Dustin Renwick

Self-described age group: 30-34

Residence: Meridian Hill Park neighborhood

Occupation: writer who expands into other storytelling media whenever possible

Volunteer roles in the running world: I support Casey Trees any time I can. That might not seem related to running at first glance, but think about the shade we all enjoy when we’re out cruising miles. Casey Trees plants, evaluates, and cares for our city’s leafy canopy.

Why you run: I crave competition and the feeling of testing my body’s physical limits.

When did you get started running: I started organized running with the track team in junior high. One of my favorite memories from that time was the Jack and Jill Relays our school hosted. Every race in the meet required two boys and two girls. I still have my little trophy from a shuttle hurdle relay win.

Have you taken a break from running: I left DC in 2015 for half a year exploring the United States, and I lived with family in the Midwest for another year before returning to the nation’s capital. For whatever reason, I just couldn’t ever bring myself to run while I was home.

Training shoe: Saucony Kinvara

Coach or training group: November Project DC, Capital YTri, Pacers

The hardest race you’ve ever run: 2014 SOME Trot for Hunger — I’d flirted with a sub-18 5k in several races that fall and finally broke through on Thanksgiving morning with a cold sprint down Pennsylvania Avenue to hit 17:59.

My favorite place to run in the D.C. area is: A total cliche, but I will always love a sweaty sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial.

Favorite local trail: Glover Archbold Trail 

Favorite local race: Jingle All The Way

Ideal post-run meal: ice cream

Favorite flavor of gel, gu, etc: Gu – Chocolate Outrage

Pet peeve: People driving who don’t use their turn signals.

Goals: Earn a spot on Team USA for age-group triathlon. Start competing in hurdles again when I’m eligible for USATF Masters.

Your advice for a new runner: You don’t need to run a marathon to validate your runner status. You don’t even need to compete in a sanctioned race. Just run.

Favorite running book: Life at These Speeds by Jeremy Jackson

Song in your head during a run: “Letterbomb” by Green Day

Have you dealt with a major injury: A severe concussion (totally unconscious) and a broken arm at a college track meet left me sidelined for four or five months.

Why is the D.C. area a great place to be a runner: DC has so many active people and so much green space (trees!) that I can always find some fresh air and another runner to wave to.