Come out for a test run!
Not ready to commit? Come out on any Saturday in July for free training run. After the run, we'll go to post-run coffee to answer your training questions -- whether they're about our programs or just your own training. Here are the details:
- Pacers: we will have pacers running around a 7:30 pace through a 12:30 run-walk pace.
- Distances:
- 10 Miler/Half Training: 4-8 miles depending on the week
- Marathon: 13-14 miles; we will run the same distance as the Saturday Long Run.
- Where? North Meade Street Park (across from the Iwo Jima)
- Time? 7 a.m. We will have some discussion prior to starting the run.
- Drop-in Coaching Session: We'll meet at For Five Coffee in Rosslyn. Come and ask your questions about our training programs, your own training, or just hang out to see what we're all about.
No need to register for a "test run" but feel free to send us an email using the contact form if you want to let us know that you'll be coming.
Training Program Basics
Let DC Road Runners help you train for your fall races! Our training programs target the Army 10 Miler, Richmond Half, and the Marine Corps Marathon, but can also accommodate other fall races like the Richmond Marathon. Just let your coaches know if you are doing another race, and they can offer tweaks to the programs. The 10 Miler/Half Marathon program will meet through November 7 to accommodate late fall half marathons such as the Richmond Half Marathon.
Even though training has started, you can still join. If you're not at the base run distance, just let your coaches know, and we can offer guidance on how to increase your mileage.
Benefits include:
- Coaching by RRCA-Certified Coaches
- Plans based on various experience levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced
- Discussion and guidance on pacing
- Two dedicated training workouts a week: Saturday Long Run and a Midweek Quality Workout
- Social opportunities throughout the program
- Nonmembers receive a free DCRR membership as part of registration
- $10 off the National Capital 20 Miler
Free DCRR Training Shirt included with all registrations!
We encourage all paces to train with us! We have organized pace groups for times from approximately a 7:30 mile to a 12:30 run-walk pace.
We will be offering the following programs:
- 10 Miler/Half Beginner Program
- 10 Miler/Half Experienced Program
- Full Marathon Beginner and Intermediate Program
- Full Marathon Experienced Program-perfect for those trying to qualify for Boston
When does the program start? Our formal training programs start July 11, 2026, but you can still join us after training starts. If you're not at the base miles, just let your coaches know, and we can offer tweaks to the program to get you where you need to be.
Where do we meet? Saturday Long Runs will meet at North Meade Street Park at 7 a.m. For Midweek Quality Workouts, trainees can choose between a Wednesday Night Workout (7 p.m. at Washington & Liberty HS Track) or Thursday Morning Workouts (5:45 a.m. at Yorktown HS Track).
***Current DCRR members will receive $35 off registration. Nonmembers will receive a coupon code to use to join DCRR. Cost of membership is included in the registration fee. After you receive the coupon code, you will then have to register separately for the Club.***
Events
10 Miler/Half Beginner Training
10 Miler/Half Training (Experienced)
Marathon Training (Beginner and Intermediate)
Marathon Training (Experienced)
3 spots left. Registration ends August 15, 2026 at 11:59pm EDT
Which program is right for you?
Ten Miler/Half Training
Choose between two training programs for the 10 Miler/Half Program. All programs will meet at the same time. You may downgrade to the lower program. Signing up for one program just helps your coaches target training accordingly.
Beginner Ten Miler/Half Program: This program is a beginner "to-finish" program. This program focuses on building overall mileage and introduces strength and endurance workouts targeted to beginner runners or runners returning after a hiatus.
Beginner Program Starting Mileage: 3 mile long run, 10 miles per week
Experienced Program: The experienced program is for seasoned runners who want to improve their pace. Trainees should expect a greater focus on pacing in runs, more rigorous workouts, and the incorporation of pace practice during long runs. We will have plans for intermediate and advanced runners.
Intermediate Starting Mileage: 6 mile long run, 18 miles per week
Advanced Starting Mileage: 8 mile long run, 22 miles per week
Marathon Training
Choose between two training programs for the Marathon Program. All programs will meet at the same time. You may move between programs. Signing up for one program just helps your coaches target training accordingly.
Beginner and Intermediate Marathon Program: This program is for beginner and intermediate marathoners. This program focuses on building overall mileage and uses quality workouts to build strength and endurance. Runners should be able to run the following mileage:
Beginner Program: 13 mile long run, 20 miles per week
Intermediate Program: 13 mile long run, 25 miles per week
Experienced Program: This program is designed for runners who are already running high weekly mileage and are looking to improve their pace. If you are looking to qualify for Boston, this is the program for you. Runners should be able to run the following mileage:
Experienced Program: 13 mile long run, 35 miles per week
Fall 2026 Training Shirt
Come train with us!
Free Marathon Jump-Start Program
From June 3, 2026 through July 4, 2026, we're offering a free Jump-Start Program to help our marathon trainees gear up for training. The Jump-Start is perfect for runners of all experience levels who are looking for some structure to their base-building workouts. The program starts at an 8 mile long run and finishes with a 12 mile long run. We strongly encourage anyone training for the first marathon, are new to DC Road Runners, or are not already running 20 miles per week and a long run of 13 miles to sign up for this program. The Jump-Start Program starts on June 3, 2026 at 7 p.m. at Washington & Liberty Track for a one-mile time trial. Participants will be added to the DCRR weekly emails for information on the weekly Jump-Start events.
Contact Form
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Event Location
North Meade Street Park
1550 N Meade St
Arlington, VA 22209 US
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