I am going to be up in DC and need to get a LR in on Sunday. I've run the Mall way to many times and am interested in getting in 11 miles on the C&O starting in Georgetown. Does anyone have any experience in running this route, parking recommendations, etc? Thanks in advance.
I suggest driving up to Carderock if possible. Plenty of parking. Head north on the trail. Well-shaded for the most part and scenic.
Best not to park near the Georgetown end. Fletcher's Cove is a better spot to find free parking and get on the towpath.
Will second Carderock if you're willing to drive that far...
I used to park at the Chain Bridge.
OP: the canal is great. I used to run it daily as a commute to work in Rosslyn. I miss running the C&O.
If you're staying near the Mall and want mostly soft surface, you can park under Whitehurst Freeway near the Georgetown side of Key Bridge. I imagine you'll be going early, so you'll be fine parking-wise. If you don't mind driving a bit, you can go up to the other areas like Chain Bridge, but it will cost you time.
You can also park at the Georgetown waterfront and just run behind the M Street Stores until you hit the canal. If your hotel is close enough to Georgetown and you are running in the AM, you might even be able to just run there.
When we're back in town, we usually stay in Foggy Bottom or Dupont and I just run from the hotel.
Enjoy!
I agree with the above posts that parking at Carddrock is optimal and running north/west provides the best views. However, if you go early, there is usually tons of paid parking in Georgetown off Water Street. I like to start at Mile post 0 and turnaround at Carddrock ~ 10. In this direction your running downhill back to Georgetown.
I'd park at Fletchers Cove. It's pretty nice and closest to the districts. If you park in Georgetown on the weekend early in the morning, parking is pretty easy.
For what it’s worth, Fletcher’s has restrooms and drinking fountains right off the trail. I usually park there, but parking in Georgetown means you pass Fletcher’s after 3-4 miles, and again on the way back.
If you’re planning on doing that long run with any speed, the C&O is a great place to do it.
Scubacane wrote:
I am going to be up in DC and need to get a LR in on Sunday. I've run the Mall way to many times and am interested in getting in 11 miles on the C&O starting in Georgetown. Does anyone have any experience in running this route, parking recommendations, etc? Thanks in advance.
It's flat and all looks the same. Nice though.
well one thing is for sure, you're not going to get lost. If you want something more busy, you can take the Capital crescent trail where it splits from C&O at Fletchers Cove. Or, there's always RCP.