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.

Temperatures can feel comfortable and quickly get dangerous as you exercise, he said. Runners need to be careful with outdoor exercise when temperatures are between 73 and 82 degrees, but with higher humidity levels — a foregone conclusion in the D.C. area — temperatures as low as 73 can be high risk, Dr. Douoguih said.

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• The “zoo loop” on the Rock Creek Trail is nearing completion, with work potentially being done by the end of July.
• The current plans for the pedestian expansion of the American Legion Bridge include a ramp to the C&O Canal Towpath but not MacArthur Boulevard.
• Oakton and American University alumna Keira D’Amato has been named to the U.S. marathon team for the World Track and Field Championships, following Molly Seidel’s injuray withdrawal. The women’s marathon is Monday, July 18 at 9:15 ET. She’s also opening a Potomac River Running store in Richmond.

• The Rock Ceek path has reopened between Shoreham Drive and P Street, and the tunnel through the I-66 bridge south of the Kennedy Center has opened.
• Three Trials Fever patients will experience relapses in 2024, thanks to their races at Grandma’s Marathon, which qualify them for the Olympic Trials. Reston resident and Falls Chuch native Susanna Sullivan was third in 2:26:56, Thomas Jefferson alumnus Johnny Phillips ran 2:14:10 and Centennial alumnus Brian Harvey ran 2:17:40.
• The Road Runners Club of America recognized Arlington County was recognized as a “Runner-Friendly Community.”
• A handful of local distance runners will be competing in the USATF Championships and the USATF U20 Championships this weekend in Eugene, Ore.
  • In the 800 meters, the District Track Club’s Vincent Crisp and Georgetown alumna Sabrina Southerland.
  • In the 1,500 meters, Georgetown’s Matthew Payamps and Jack Salisbury and Georgetown alumna Josette Norris.
  • In the 5,000 meters, Chantilly alumnus Sean McGorty, the District Track Club’s Willy Fink, Heritage alumna Weini Kelati and along with Norris, Georgetown alumnae Emily Infeld and Katrina Coogan.
  • In the 3,000 meter steeplechase, Tuscarora alumnus Fitsum Seyoum.
  • In the U20 meet, Laurel resident Juliette Whittaker will run the 800 meters.
    • Washington Latin alumnus Luke Tewalt will run the 1,500 meters, for Wake Forest.
    • Georgetown’s Lucas Guerra will run the 3,000 meters.
    • In the 3,000 meter steeplechase, Colgan alumnus Bryce Lentz, running for the Air Force Academcy, and Oakton alumnus Garrett Woodhoouse, running for Utah State.

• Georgetown’s Parker Stokes led local distance runners at the NCAA Championships with his third place finish in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 8:18.88.  Colgan alumnus Bryce Lentz ran 8:52.33 in the semifinals for the Air Force Academy.
  • Georgetown had two women’s 10,000 meter finalists: Charlotte Dannatt finished eighth in 33:26.78 and Maggie Donohue finished 13th in 33:42.99.
  • Patriot alumna Rachel McArthur ran 4:21.15 in the semifinals for Colorado.
  • Howard’s 4×400 meter team of Jessika Gbai, Ameenah Saalih, Ozioma Scott and Jessica Wright finished sixth in 3:28.39.
• Our long, regional nightmare is over – the Riley’s Rumble Half Marathon will return to the Maryland Soccerplex after a year in exile to the C&O Canal Towpath, albeit its original course.

Blake senior Ella Zeigler swept the distance races at the Maryland 4A state track championships, running 2:5.42 for 800 meters, 5:04.31 for 1600 meters and 10:59.06 for 3200 meters.  Walter Johnson was third in the 4×800 in 9:33.43.

Northwood’s Lamar Wilson led local boys with a runner-up finish in the 800 meters (1:56.67) and a third place finish in the 1600 meters (4:19.45), while Blair’s Edward Lyness (9:26.70) was third in the 3200 meters.  Walter Johnson was second in the 4×800 in 8:05.46.

In 3A, Oxon Hill’s Genelle Stephens was eighth in the 800 meters (2:25.27) and was on the team’s third place 4×800 relay (9:42.64).

Mcgruder’s Colin Abrams was third in the 800 meters (1:54.81), Springbrook’s Sofiane Compaorg was eigth in the 1600 meters (4:23.77) and Springbrook’s 4×800 team ran 8:02.98 for third.

Poolesville’s Daisy Dastrup led local 2A finishers in the 1600 (ninth in 5:27.21) and 3200 meters (fourth in 11:37.59), and a leg 4×800, which finished sixth in 10:21.16. Poolesville’s Sean Groeninger ran 2:04.90 for ninth in the 800s meters, Dylan Derewonko ran 4:33.23 for seventh in the 1600 meters, Aaron Longbrake ran 9:51.18 for fourth in the 3200 meters and the Falcons’ 4×800 team ran 8:37.40 for fifth.

In 1A, Crossland’s Brenda DerSanchez was 14th in the 800 meters in 2:43.32, 15th in the 1600 meters in 6:53.73, and Crossland was 14th in the 4×800 in 13:09.73. Crossland’s Abraham Eason was 13th in the 800 meters in 2:07.93, 10th in the 1600 meters in 4:53.28 and 13th in the 3200 meters in 11:12.66.

At the D.C. state meet, St. Johns’ Meredith Gotzman won the 1600 (5:03.93) and 3200 meters 10:55.72, while Georgetown Visitation’s Helen Bonner ran 2:21.40 to win the 800 meters. Visitation took the 4×800 title in 9:34.82. St. Johns’  Austin Rios-Colon won the 800 meters in 1:56.89, St. Albans took titles in the 1600 meters (William Strong in 4:28.01) and 3200 meters (Sebi Hume in 9:41.25), while St. John’s won the 4×800 in 8:07.96.

Virginians will race their state meets this weekend.

• The National Park Service is accepting comments on proposals for regulating traffic in East Potomac Park until 11:59 MT Thursday, May 19. Comment here through May 19 at 11:59 pm MT   View detailed proposals
• The National Park Service will hold a virtual meeting 6:30-7:30 pm May 24 to present a proposed pedestrian and bicycle study along Military Road in Rock Creek Park. Register here

• Heritage alumna Weini Kelati ran a world championship standard in the 10,000 meters at Sound Running’s Track Meet in Orange County, Calif. last weekend. Her 31:11.11 met the 31:25.00 qualifying time.
• Local distance runners scored some wins at collegiate track champhionships (and one likely would have won, if not for her teammate):

Atlantic 10 (Division I)
1,500m
1. Ryan Fowkes George Washington 3:55.33

3k steeplechase
1. Logan Broedner George Washington 9:08.53

1.Kathryn Nohilly George Washington 10:33.01
2.Margaret Coogan  George Washington 10:33.89

5,000m
1. Jack Ikenberry George Mason 14:08.79

Coast to Coast (Division III)
800m
1.Daniel Ferrante Christopher Newport (Fairfax Christian) 1:53.65

1.Heather Delaplaine Salisbury (Damascus) 2:19.86

1,500m
1.Daniel Ferrante Christopher Newport (Fairfax Christian) 3:52.47

1.Logan Funk Christopher Newport (Meridian/George Mason HS) 4:42.81

Centennial (Division III)
10k
1.Gavin McElhennon Johns Hopkins (Gonzaga) 30:28.89

1.Katie Hirsche Haverford (Burke) 37:45.01

University Athletic Association (Division III)
10k
1.Cullen Capuano Washington (Gonzaga) 32:10.66

Former Westfield runner and All-RunWashington honoree Johnny Pace produced a video for the Pacers Running film series on Joan and Drew Hunter.

Check it out, along with stories about Joan coaching Drew in high school, Loudoun Valley’s 2017 national title, the team’s 2018 title defense and Joan’s move to Colorado last year.

Here you will find photos from miles one, five and 10 from Sunday’s Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile. If you use them, please credit Charlie Ban and @RunWashington.