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

Fairfax County Police make arrest in connection with W&OD Trail assaults

Published September 13, 2022 at 3:41PM

Fairfax County Detectives have arrested and charged a 42-year-old Herndon man with crimes related to indecent exposures near the Washington and Old Dominion Trail in August, the department reported.

The county’s Fugitive Track and Apprehension Unit arrested Juan Alfaro Rodriguez, of Herndon, Sept. 8 for warrants from another state. Through an investigation by our Major Crimes, Cyber and Forensics Bureau and the Herndon Police Department, Alfaro Rodriguez was charged with three counts of indecent exposure. Rodriguez was taken to the Adult Detention Center and remains held without bond.

DCXC

Monroe Parker Invitational photos

By Charlie Ban

Published September 13, 2022 at 3:06PM

Fairfax County schools and a few local guests raced at Burke Lake Saturday, with the Potomac School’s Charlie Ortmans and W.T. Woodson and Herndon’s Gillian Bushee and West Springfield leading the way.

News

Running Shorts

By Charlie Ban

Published September 7, 2022 at 3:52PM

An artist's rendition shows the proposed bridge linking Arlington's Long Bridge Park and DC's East and West Potomac Parks.

DCXC

When parents are the cross country rookies

By Mollie Zapata

Published September 6, 2022 at 11:00AM | Updated September 7, 2022 at 3:54PM

Parents and friends watch the 2015 Monroe Parker Invitational. Photo: Charlie Ban

As a new high school cross country season begins, there are things parents of aspiring runners need to know to best support their child’s budding interest in this glorious sport. Cross country is its own unique (and painful) animal. And high school cross country, with its range of talent, experience, and intensity among athletes, parents, and coaches, requires some advance preparation and understanding before diving in.

First, the setting matters. Races can range from tri or quad meets with just a few teams lining up in a parking lot, to a massive invitational with colorful tents, banners flying and packs of kids running around in every possible shade of bright matching singlets. It can feel more like a medieval fair than a modern day sporting event.

Military Running

Marine Corps Marathon Director Rick Nealis to retire in January

By Charlie Ban

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.

News

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.