Training Program Basics
Let DC Road Runners help you train for your fall races! Our training programs target the Army 10 Miler and the Marine Corps Marathon. Other fall races can be accommodated, just let your coaches know, 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.
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
- Free DCRR Training Shirt
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. Note: the Jump-Start Program does not have pacers.
We will be offering the following programs:
- 10 Miler/Half Beginner Program
- 10 Miler/Half Experienced Program
- FREE Full Marathon Jump-Start Program-highly recommended for new marathoners
- Full Marathon Beginner and Intermediate Program (includes Jump-Start)
- Full Marathon Experienced Program-perfect for those trying to qualify for Boston (includes Jump-Start)
When does the program start? Our formal training programs start July 11, 2026. The Jump-Start Program starts June 3.
What is the Jump-Start Program? We are also offering a free Marathon Jump-Start Program that starts June 3, 2026 and is designed to help marathon trainees have a structured month of base-building prior to starting training. You can also try out the Jump-Start Program before formally signing up for the marathon program. All marathon trainees will automatically be signed up for the Jump-Start Program. We will offer weekly mileage targets and long runs designed to get you up to running the minimum mileage for the program. This program starts at 8 miles for a long run.
Can a half trainee signup for the Jump-Start? Yes, the Jump-Start events are open to everyone! Just note that the base mileage for the long runs starts at 8 miles, so if you’re running less than that, you may just have to run some out-and-backs to cut the runs short.
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). The Jump-Start Program starts on June 3, 2026 at 7 p.m. at Washington & Liberty Track for a one-mile time trial.
***Current DCRR members will receive $35 off registration. Non-members 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
Marathon Jump-Start Program
10 Miler/Half Beginner Training
10 Miler/Half Training (Experienced)
Marathon Training (Beginner and Intermediate)
Marathon Training (Experienced)
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
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
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Event Location
North Meade Street Park
1550 N Meade St
Arlington, VA 22209 US
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