Race like the pros. That’s what high school runners have been able to do whenever they spike up at the Agricultural Farm Park in Derwood, Md. The Montgomery County-managed facility played host to the 2009 USATF Cross Country Championships, and it also led the composite scores of MoCo Running’s inaugural course ranking.
A collaboration between MoCo Running and RunWashington, this was vastly Kevin Milsted’s brainchild. We surveyed coaches from around the D.C. area and members of the All-RunWashington preseason teams. This gave us a solid and well-informed sample, many of whom were able to evaluate at least one of the nine courses that made the final.
You can read Kevin’s analysis in robust detail here. He also examines the survey’s limitations and potential for improvement here.
It’s all worth the time for anyone interested in the courses that make up some of the most popular races around the D.C. area.
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Eight local runners will compete in the Olympic Marathon Trials Saturday morning in Orlando.
Blackwater Canyon Half Marathon
A point to point race on pavement, dirt, and gravel. Course descends 1400 ft. Entry will close at 200 runners. $60 before August 13; $75 after August 13. Start at 9 am in Thomas; Finish at Mill Race Park, Parsons.
Blue Ridge Marathon
10K, Team Relay, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, Double Marathon in Roanoke, Virginia.
April 18, 2026
More elevation change than any other road race in the country and a full weekend of live music, recovery events, and southern hospitality.
