Your Runner's Guide to the Hill

Photo courtesy of Kyra DeBlaker-Gebhard

An outdoor run may be the last thing on your mind when summer hits and temperatures rise. If you’re like me, you head to the treadmill instead of your favorite outdoor running route.

But the heat doesn’t stop all runners.  With marathons and races scheduled for September and October, summer can be a great time to begin a training regimen.

The Hill is Home certainly does not advise that you start running in triple digit heat, but if you’re smart — running in the morning or evening and staying well hydrated — you can train to be race-ready in the fall.

To get you off on the right foot, Capitol Hill has a number of running groups, volunteer opportunities and race events that may help you prepare for whatever running goals you set:

Running Groups:

The H Street Runners are celebrating their one year anniversary as a running club on Capitol Hill. The group has more than 150 runners, who participate in various Tuesday and Saturday runs. On Tuesday evenings the group runs for about 4 miles, while Saturday runs can go as far as 10 miles. Club organizers said that all paces are welcome and interested runners can sign-up online to register.

The Capitol Hill Running Club trains runners for races and marathons, including the Marine Corps Marathon. Runs take place throughout the week and vary in distance. The group meets at the base of the Ulysses S. Grant statue on the west side of the Capitol. The club is one of the more social running groups with a Facebook Group, Twitter feed and website presence.

Volunteer as a Runner:

Back on My Feet, a national nonprofit organization that helps the homeless achieve self-sufficiency through running, accepts volunteers for its H Street chapter. Morning runs start at Blair House (635 Eye St., NE). Volunteers must sign-up online to participate in an orientation session before volunteering as a runner.

Fall Runs and Races:

For anyone who has dreamed of running out onto the field at Nationals Park, the Light the Way 5K is your race. Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29^th, the 5K  concludes with a victory lap around the baseball park. Registration for the 5k race is $35 and there is a free fun run. Proceeds support Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, providing services and programs to the blind. Runners can also volunteer as a race guide, assisting a blind runner on the course.

Congressional Cemetery will host its annual Dead Man’s Run on Saturday, October 6^th. This Halloween themed race supports ongoing preservation efforts at the cemetery.  Organizers said they are considering making the race a twilight run this year with “spooky possibilities.” Those interested in volunteering can contact: staff@congressionalcemetery.org.