Dave Facinoli - RunWashington

Postseason begins for college and high school cross-country squads

Published October 28, 2026 at 10:00AM

George Washington University runner Hadley Mahoney (courtesy George Washington athletics)

With a couple of months of regular-season action in the books, the postseason has begun for metro-area high school and college cross-country teams.

Upcoming high school meets are held locally at different venues, with most college postseason competitions taking place out of the area.

News

Local runners compete on many Division I college cross-country teams

By Dave Facinoli

Published October 22, 2026 at 10:00AM

Herndon High graduate Gillian Bushee recently won a big college cross-country meet (courtesy of Virginia athletics)

Cross-country runners who graduated from high schools throughout Northern Virginia are included on rosters of many Division I women’s college teams across the commonwealth.

Some are among top collegiate performers, while others are striving to reach that status.

News

A pair of local high school cross-country meets still drawing strong competition

By Dave Facinoli

Published October 13, 2026 at 10:00AM

Sophie Meisner wins the girls Alexandria meet (courtesy of Windsorrunning.com)

For decades each fall, two similar, small and unique high school cross-country championship meets annually are held in two nearby Northern Virginia jurisdictions, generating significant anticipation and excitement from participants and spectators.

Those two girls and boys varsity competitions are the Arlington County and Alexandria City championship meets, typically held in late September or early October. This year both were held the same afternoon — Wednesday, Oct. 7.

News

Longtime area race director and runner is hanging up his spikes

By Dave Facinoli

Published October 7, 2026 at 10:00AM

Local standout runner Julia Hawkins with Jay Wind (photo courtesy Jay Wind)

Jay Jacob Wind, a well-known, well-liked and longtime stalwart on the running scene in the metro area, is retiring as a race director.

He will direct his final race, the Potomac River Run Marathon and Half, on Saturday, Oct. 17.

News

Cross-country runners always come prepared for foul weather

By Dave Facinoli

Published October 1, 2026 at 10:00AM

Wet runners near the finish while spectators use umbrellas at the rainy Arlington County meet (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Ever-changing autumn weather conditions make each college and high-school cross-country season unique.

Foul weather can often cause postponements of other outdoor fall high-school sports, but cross-country are expected to proceed. That’s the nature of the sport.

News

Marine Corps Marathon continues to draw the famous and everyday folks

By Dave Facinoli

Published September 23, 2026 at 10:00AM

Runners participate in a previous Marine Corps Marathon race (courtesy of Marine Corps Marathon)

Even as a startup race way back in 1976, the Marine Corps Marathon was an instant hit — and has only continued to grow and expand in popularity a half-century later.

In that initial year the race attracted a bit more than 1,100 runners, an impressive number for an upstart event. Today the participation total has swelled to between 35,000 to 40,000 each year, making it the third largest marathon in the U.S., and the largest race in the world that does not offer prize money.

News

Multiple college cross-country teams are enjoying early-season success

By Dave Facinoli

Published September 15, 2026 at 10:00AM

University of Maryland runners place first, second and third in their opening meet (University of Maryland athletics)

A number of college cross-country teams in the metro area enjoyed success in their opening meets of the fall season.

The University of Maryland women’s squad dominated and won the 11-team University of Delaware Invitational with a low of 22 points. Host Delaware was second with 35.

News

Popularity of Arlington Triathlon continues in 12th year of event

By Dave Facinoli

Published September 9, 2026 at 5:00PM

Participants prepare to ride in the bike portion of the Arlington Triathlon (courtesy Arlington Triathlon)

What began with a modest number of participants 13 years ago swelled to more than 150 entries in this summer’s Arlington Triathlon.

The event is for youth participants ages 7 to 15. The triathlon begins with a swim in the Washington-Liberty High School aquatics center, followed by a flat bike ride on a closed loop course and finishes with a run on some streets near the school but mostly on the outdoor W-L track.

News

Fall high school cross-country season gets early, and busy, start

By Dave Facinoli

Published September 3, 2026 at 10:00AM

A race starter indicates the high school cross-country season has begun in the metro area (photo by Dave Facinoli)

The fall high school cross-country season got an early and busy start in recent days, with meets held throughout the metro area.

Contests were held from Leesburg to Alexandria from Aug. 26-29.

News

Georgetown women aim to win a seventh straight conference title

By Dave Facinoli

Published August 25, 2026 at 10:00AM

Georgetown University's women's team won a sixth straight conference title last season (courtesy Georgetown athletics)

Having won six straight conference championships, the Georgetown University Hoyas are regarded as the top college women’s cross-country team in the D.C. area, as well as one of the best in the country.

The Hoyas are projected to be ranked nationally among the top 25 in an upcoming Division I preseason NCAA poll.