The Capital Runner

In the bustling running scene of Washington, D.C., few groups have managed to cultivate a sense of "team" quite like the Northeast Track Club (NETC). Known for their high energy and inclusive atmosphere, NETC has become a staple for those looking to push their limits while building genuine friendships.

We sat down with the team behind NETC to learn more about what happens at the track and why this community is about so much more than just a lap time.

There's something primal about speed work. No scenic distractions, no conquering elevation—just you, the pavement, and the clock. DC's topography might be famous for its hills (looking at you, Rock Creek Park), but the city delivers when you need pancake-flat terrain to hammer out tempo runs, intervals, or those soul-crushing 400-meter repeats.

Here's where to find your speed in the District and beyond.

Runners interested in racing the 2026 Marine Corps 17.75K on March 21 can register for the race now. The event, which takes place at Prince William Forest Park, gives finishers “Access Granted” passes guaranteeing access to the 51st Marine Corps Marathon on October 25.

The Capitol Reflecting Pool sits quiet most mornings, a shallow mirror catching the first light beneath the dome. Runners loop the perimeter on their usual routes—three miles, maybe five if they're extending down to the monuments. Tourists arrive later with their cameras. Commuters cut through on autopilot. Nobody stops to consider that this particular spot, this pool at the base of Capitol Hill, marks Mile Zero of the longest car-free trail in America.

Whether you're shopping for someone training for their first race, a veteran chasing another PR, or treating yourself after a solid training block, these recommendations cut through the noise of running retail to focus on what actually matters.

Beginning Thursday, December 11, the pedestrian path on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge will be temporarily closed as part of the ongoing rehabilitation work on the bridge connecting Arlington, VA to Washington, D.C., according to the District Department of Transportation. The December closure will allow crews to install the foundations for new overhead sign structures.

“This is the stupidest thing I have ever done!” The cry was heard as hundreds of chilly runners—fueled by ambition and their first Taco Bell meal of the day—set off down King Street in Alexandria, Virginia.

Meet the GOOD GRiEF, an Austin, TX- and Washington, DC-based running club that focuses on mental health alongside their passion for running. Their mission is to help people find the good in grief, fostering a joyful and kind community where people can be themselves. We spoke with the GOOD GRiEF DC team to get the low-down on the group and learn how people can get involved.

DC's Metropolitan Branch Trail just gained 1.7 miles of car-free running real estate. The Fort Totten–Takoma segment opened, closing one of the last gaps in the 8-mile corridor from Union Station to Silver Spring.

Once you’ve mastered the DC classics (Rock Creek Park, National Mall, MBT, Anacostia, and the Capital Crescent), you may be looking for somewhere new to run. Fortunately, for DC runners willing to travel a little further from home, the area is chock full of interesting routes to test your fitness. Some of these are metro accessible, and some will require four wheels, but they’re all worth the trip.

If you've been running in DC for any length of time, you've probably crossed paths with DC Capital Striders. With group runs across DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland, they're one of the most established and welcoming running communities in the area. We sat down with the group to learn what makes them tick.

DC is home to many great trails. Here are the five that all runners should know.