Training and Programs
A note on temporary coronavirus precautions
Some aspects of normal club operations (denoted in red text) have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. For instance, currently, there are no formally-scheduled runs/walks, there is no water support, and there are no social events. Many of the training programs described below have also been suspended. These activities will return when health conditions permit. The club complies with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Fairfax County, and RRCA public health and safety policies.
Several of our members are RRCA-certified running instructors. These members, and others, volunteer their time for various programs which Reston Runners sponsors. Some of these programs are held every year. Others vary from year to year; depending upon interest of both volunteers and participants. Some of these programs incur costs and have a fee for participation. Our programs include:
- The Interval Training Program is a once a week evening program of track workouts during the summer, usually on Wednesday evenings at South Lakes HS.
- Youth In Motion (YIM): volunteers conduct a once-a-week summer program for youth ages 3-14, usually on Sunday afternoon or early evening
- Women’s Training Programis an eight-session program, conducted in the early spring, for women who want to begin a new exercise program or get back into exercising
- 10 Weeks to 10K Training provides training and support for individuals training for a fall 10K, 10-miler, or similar race distance.
- RMR Marathon Training is program that runs from January through March for runners preparing for the Runners Marathon of Reston in April (or other spring marathons).
- Trail Running is available for those who prefer rugged terrain
- Marine Corps Marathon: Sunday summer and early fall club runs offer long run training on-your-own options for those preparing for fall marathons.
- JFK 50-Mile support is a program for both those who wish to run in the annual 50-mile UltraMarathon and those who wish to volunteer to support the runners.
- Our Airport Run is an annual fall training event for those preparing for fall marathons or ultra-marathons. This one-way run starts at Reagan National Airport and heads back to Reston on the Mt. Vernon, Custis, and Washington & Old Dominion trails. A mid-way aid station is provided.
- Thanksgiving Day Run is a fun-for-the-whole family event that consists of a cross-country 5K (approximate) and lots of prizes
For more information please visit our training programs page.
Club-Sponsored Races
Reston Runners organizes and conducts two annual races, a 5k for women only, and a marathon/half-marathon:
- Seize the Day 5kis a 5-K race for women of all ages. Mother/daughter teams are encouraged
- Runners Marathon of Reston is a club-sponsored, certified full marathon and half marathon held in early April
For more information on these events see our race page.
Events are also organized informally by groups of club members who simply arrange to meet each other at a set time and place and go for a run. Because these activities are not formal, they are not posted on the web site. Often, you can find out about them by listening to fellow runners. For example, if you are interested in running on Thursday mornings, ask around and you might find a group that is meeting and running. These informal groups often use social media tools to communicate activities.
Other Activities and Benefits
The club conducts several social activities, such as an optional breakfast after each weekend run, an annual summer picnic, and an annual club meeting. Reston Runners is often asked to provide support to community events, particularly athletic events. For example, the club does not conduct its normal week-end run on the day of the Reston Triathlon because most of our members either participate in or volunteer to support that event. Reston Runners supports a Community Fund, a financially independent tax-exempt organization, which raises money for community causes, in particular providing scholarships to local high school students who have excelled in running. Reston Runners conducts a program called “Finish Line Services” which provide equipment and people to time local races. Members of Reston Runners are provided discounts at the Potomac River Running store, at the YMCA, Fusion 360.
Volunteers
Reston Runners relies exclusively on volunteers to make all the events and activities successful. Water is provided, trails are marked, web pages are updated, eNews is sent, events are organized and executed, permits are requested, records are maintained, equipment and supplies are purchased, bills are paid. There is a lot to do and all are welcome to pitch in. Volunteering not only helps the club function but it provides an opportunity to meet people. Most volunteers agree that helping out is part of the fun of belonging to Reston Runners.
Communications
Our primary communication is via our website and our weekly eNews. The website, which is updated regularly, contains our schedule, including course maps, as well as information about all our activities. The eNews is sent out weekly to club members. Information is often provided in announcements at the beginning of each run/walk.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Mike McCord,
President
February 2021
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Weekend Run/Walks
A note on temporary coronavirus precautions
Some aspects of normal club operations (denoted in red text) have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. For instance, currently, there are no formally-scheduled runs/walks, there is no water support, and there are no social events. These activities will return when health conditions permit. The club complies with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Fairfax County, and RRCA public health and safety policies.
We meet every Saturday morning at 8 AM at a parking lot at a school, shopping center, or pool in or near Reston. After introduction of new runners and walkers and brief announcements, everyone heads out at their own pace for either a 3-mile walk or a 5-mile run. The Saturday courses are usually marked by volunteers. On Sundays, we meet at 8:00 during the winter, spring and fall and at 7:00 AM during the summer for a 10-mile run, a 3-mile run/walk, or a 6- mile run/walk. We also include an option for longer runs on Sunday for those runners training for a fall marathon. Many, but not all, of the Sunday events include an option to run on trails.
The start locations and courses for our Saturday and Sunday run/walks are posted on our web page. Water is available at the start/finish on both Saturday and Sunday as well as in at least one location about midway on the Sunday course. After our weekend runs, those who wish to do so gather to eat, drink, and socialize at a location designated on the web page and usually announced at the start of the run/walk.
Our regularly scheduled run/walks include people of all ages and of all running and walking paces. Whatever your pace, it is likely that there will be others at the same pace, particularly when the weather is good and there is a larger group.
Weekday Run/Walks
If a weekday run fits your schedule better than our standard weekend runs, we also have smaller informal run/walks on weekdays, including Tuesday and Thursday evening runs on the W&OD trail and a Tuesday morning run from the Spectrum Center. See the Website Calendar for schedule and details.
Best Foot Forward
Many of our events include a group we call “Best Foot Forward”, or more affectionately BFFs. This group is helpful for new or aspiring runners or anyone who would prefer a shorter course and a mix of running and walking.
Meetup.com
Reston Runners has its own group on Meetup.com. Many of the runs mentioned are posted regularly on Meetup. Occasional ad hoc events are also posted on Meetup.com. To join, register at Meetup.com and join Reston Runners.
Volunteers
Reston Runners relies exclusively on volunteers to make all the events and activities successful. Water is provided, trails are marked, web pages are updated, eNews is sent, events are organized and executed, permits are requested, records are maintained, equipment and supplies are purchased, bills are paid. There is a lot to do and all are welcome to pitch in. Volunteering not only helps the club function but it provides an opportunity to meet people. Most volunteers agree that helping out is part of the fun of belonging to Reston Runners.
Communications
Our primary communication is via our website and our weekly eNews. The website, which is updated regularly, contains our schedule, including course maps, as well as information about all our activities. The eNews is sent out weekly to club members. Information is often provided in announcements at the beginning of each run/walk.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Mike McCord,
President
February 2021
- Details
- Category: Uncategorised
10 Weeks to 10K - 2020 Program Design
Due to the unique circumstances of the Covid-19 Pandemic, this year's training program is as follows:
- Maximum registration.Registration for the program will be limited to 50 persons plus ten coaches. (In 2019, 82 participants and 13 coaches participated.)
- No designated in-person capstone race.In previous years the program has been affiliated with the Perfect 10 (10K or 10 miles.) The Perfect 10 is accepting paid registrations and has a notice stating “We hope to see you out on the course in person on September 27th. However, if government guidelines regarding COVID-19 determine it best, the Perfect 10K/10Miler may be converted into a virtual race.” We have certainly enjoyed the race in previous years, however, we feel that the race fee would be excessive, should the event go virtual. Additionally, some participants might be inclined to opt out of an in-person group race due to COVID concerns. Therefore, instead of encouraging participation in the Perfect 10 this year, we will instead strongly urge each participant to run and continuously time any 10K or 10 mile course of their choosing, either an in-person race or a solo run, on any day from September 26 to October 18, as their capstone accomplishment of the program. Those who report their finishing time and date of completion to us will receive a certificate.
- The 10 Weeks to 10K program lead reserves the right to cancel the remainder of the program at any time before or during its commencement, if, in the sole judgment of the program lead, any of the following occur:
- State, local or federal guidelines that are substantially in conflict with the program are issued;
- The behavior of participants and/or coaches deviates substantially from the safety policies established, and the program lead and coaches are unable to address the deviation to their satisfaction; or
- One or more program participant(s) and/or coach(es) reports positive COVID test results to the program lead, and continuation of the program is deemed to present a significant risk of further spread.
In the event that the program is canceled, the program lead may elect to continue it as a virtual program, with each individual completing training runs or walks on his/her own. In the event of cancellation after the second program meeting, the major expense of ordering T-shirts will be incurred, and refunds will not be made to participants after that time.
- Self-monitoring and exclusion.Participants or coaches having symptoms associated with COVID-19 must exclude themselves from attending in-person meetings. See the CDC website for a list of symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fsymptoms.html
- Social distancing.Participants and coaches not residing in the same household will be required to maintain a separation of at least six feet from others at all times when it is possible, and to refrain from physical contact including high fives, fist bumps, handshaking or hugging. The required social distancing separation, in accordance with State of Virginia Phase Three Guidelines, increases to 10 feet during exercise and while signing or cheering.
- Hydration and car key storage.Each participant should bring his/her own hydration, for use before, during and after meetings. The program will not provide hydration. Additionally, temporary storage of car keys will not be provided. Each participant will be responsible for storing or carrying his/her own car key. Pockets with secure closures and belt packs are recommended as suitable means of key storage while running or walking.
- The program lead and coaches will conduct training walks and runs only on courses that provide suitable room for separation of passing runners/walkers, traveling in the same or opposite directions.For example, a residential road with light traffic, or footpaths directly adjacent to such a road, will be suitable. Courses with segments on footpaths that lack suitable lateral spacing will not be used.
- Meeting locations.Only meeting locations that provide sufficient room for separation of the group will be selected.Participants and coaches will be required to maintain six feet of separation while gathering in advance of and following, meetings. The program leads will determine a means for separating the group into several subgroups, for example, by typical running or walking pace.
- Staggered Start:It is anticipated that coaches will start small groups of 3-5 persons with similar expected pace at a time, faster paces first, with groups separated by one minute to 90 seconds.
- Masks.Participants are encouraged, but will not be required, to bring and carry a mask in the event that situations arise where proximity to others cannot be avoided. Participants will not be required to wear masks while gathering at socially distanced spacing, or while exercising.
- Reporting positive COVID tests.Any participant having a positive COVID test within two weeks of participating in person in a 10 Weeks to 10K activity is required to inform the program lead, John Koss, immediately. John can be reached at 703-606-5180 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The other participants will be notified that a participant has tested positive, and the identity of the individual will not be disclosed. The affected individual may not participate in-person until cleared to do so by a physician.
Candidate meeting locations and courses:
- Lake Audobon Pool at Twin Branches.There are nearly 30 parking spots in the pool parking lot, with overflow parking on Twin Branches. An out-and-back course of Twin Branches to Glade towards Reston Parkway provides a distance of three to five miles with substantial evening shade.
- Hunters Woods Elementary School (alternative:Hunters Woods Shopping Center).The parking lot provides sufficient parking, and could be used until the school year begins. Colts Neck to Quorn, left to the T at Quorn, and back is about 1.7 miles and nicely shaded, and a Paddock Road/Steeplechase route passing Hunters Woods pool provides additional mileage.
- Lake Fairfax Park.Roads with sufficient width within the Park, as well as adjacent roads (Blaze, Dasher, Hunt Club, Ring, and portions of North Shore) will allow a three mile course.
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Hunters Woods Village Center (HWVC) – 5 Mile Run
Street Map Measured: 5 Miles
Directions:
- Start in West end of the parking lottowardColts Neck Dr. heading to the Reston Community Center (RCC).
- At the RCC, turn right through the townhouse parking lot to the path through the tunnel under Glade Dr.
- Bear right on the path uphill to Colts Neck. Turn left on Colts Neck.
- At the Hunters Woods Elementary School, turn left on Steeplechase.
- At the path crossing, turn left and follow the path through the Glade.
- At the Marker Post Y intersection, bear right (Mile1.25) and continue.
- At the next Marker Post intersection bear right (Mile 1.5)
- At the Marker Post 21 intersection, continue straight ahead crossing Sopstone Dr.
- At the bridge intersection (Mile 2.46), turn left and follow the path up the hill to Hunting Horn Lane, then left up Acton Dr. to Glade Dr. Left on Glade.
- At Quartermaster Lane, turn right down the hill to Spyglass Cove Lane to pick up the path on the right heading down towards Lake Audubon.
- Turn left and then immeadiate right across the bridge to pick up the Snake Den Branch Trail. Turn left on the path. Bear left and the next Y and continue to the left.
- Down through the tunnel under Soapstone Dr. Continue on the path till the intersection to the right down to the bridge crossing the stream, then left on the path keeping the stream to the left at intersections.
- Approaching HWVC, just before the tunnel under Colts Neck, take the path on the left up to the HWVC parking lot.
(Click on the map for larger image)
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