RunWashington - The Runner's Source for the D.C. Area

Published August 25, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated August 25, 2022 at 4:52PM

Marine Corps Marathon Race Director Rick Nealis (right) with Col. H.C. "Barney" Barnum Jr., a member of the race's Ad Hoc committee. Photo: George Banker

Rick Nealis made some choices on the fly while running the Marine Corps Marathon in 2020.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the race he has directed since 1993 to go virtual, he crafted his own course, though without his usual authority to close down roads he was accustomed to. He meandered the W&OD and Mount Vernon trails in Northern Virginia to get his 26.2 miles. With a course change after a mental remapping, a detour into Alexandria and a stop for refreshments in Old Town, he took what the day threw at him. It fit the perspective that has helped make his race a pillar of the American running community.

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Comments accepted through Thursday night on NPS plan to reopen Beach Drive

By Charlie Ban

Published August 10, 2022 at 4:14PM | Updated August 10, 2022 at 4:53PM

A runner heads up Beach Drive in June 2020. Photo: Charlie Ban

Beach Drive would reopen to through traffic after Labor Day under a proposed plan by the National Park Service, which has mostly closed the road since April 2020 to allow for more room for physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NPS is accepting comments until 11:59 p.m. Thursday Aug. 11 on its plan, which would formalize weekday closures between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That would increase the existing policy to close the 4.2-mile stretch on weekends and holidays, but rolls back what had been a nearly-2.5-year closure to allow for more physical distancing during the pandemic. That closure has allowed for a dramatic increase in daily use by runners, cyclists, walkers and more.

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How to stay safe as hot weather, humidity descend on DC area

By Sarah Beth Hensley

Published July 20, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated July 21, 2022 at 1:21PM

Alexandria's Patrick Murray takes a gulp of water during the 2018 Marine Corps Marathon. Photo: Dustin Whitlow

The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer — which can mean one big thing for the running community: more runners are taking to the region’s sidewalks, paths and trails.

As more runners ditch the treadmill in favor of running outside, there are health and safety reminders to consider. Chief among them is knowing the correlation between warmer temperatures and running risk, said Dr. Wiemi Douoguih, the medical director of MedStar Sports Medicine for the Washington region. Spring can yield some warm-but-not-too-warm running conditions, but “just because the air feels [cooler], you have to be careful,” he said.

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Running Shorts

By Charlie Ban

Published July 6, 2022 at 2:00PM | Updated July 6, 2022 at 4:00PM

The new zoo loop footbridge over Rock Creek will dramatically widen what had been a narrow sidewalk. Photo: Charlie Ban

D’Amato makes world marathon team, hopes arise for July completion of zoo loop, one pedestrian offramp for the American Legion Bridge in Maryland.

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Running Shorts

By Charlie Ban

Published June 28, 2022 at 1:00PM | Updated July 1, 2022 at 2:07PM

Emily Infeld (center right, facing camera) made her first U.S. team since 2017. Photo: Johnny Pace

Arlington seeks trail feedback; Infeld, Whittaker, Guerra Tewalt make U.S. teams for World Championships, backward running track meet next week, Wardian completes cross-country run.

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Running Shorts

By Charlie Ban

Published June 22, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated June 23, 2022 at 6:21PM

Going gets easier on the Rock Creek Park path, locals head to nationals, three net OTQs and Arlington gets RRCA recognition.