Maybe Mason and Fairfax were less developed then? I attended Mason and there were low traffic neighborhoods on the periphery, a track that was never locked, and bike paths within 5-10 miles.
I don't remember a cemetary anywhere near Fairfax, but there may have been one at a church or a small one near downtown that I ran by in like a few secs.
Fairfax memorial Park 800 repeats with Abdi. We trained on dirt and grass back in the day. Burke Lake was a favourite
Ya, I'd forgotten there was a cemetery over there -that's a decent size for reps I guess. Weird that you guys didn't just do repeats in burke lake, but whatever. I ran in Burke Lake all the freaking time.
The HS cross country team I couch regularly trains in the cemetery across the street. Has some nice loops at are a known distance so I don't have to break out the wheel every practice. Far better to be running in the cemetery rather than some of the stuff people are doing the we chase out of there when we show up.
ALSO -Age Group running legend Ed Whitlock trained in a cemetery almost exclusively for years. So if it is Ok with him ......
Every Tuesday during XC Season. 30 minutes of hill loops. Turn left at the edge of the park, then another hard left at Father Joe's grave and down the hill.
We've had as many as 25 people doing this workout at one time. No one, including the residents, has ever complained.
The cemetery near me has some really nice paths. Is it weird to run there?
I used to do 10 milers at the cemetery where Lincoln is buried. Well I did some of those miles in the park nearby as well. Great runs, just be respectful if you see a funeral and avoid that section.
I run in a cemetery by my place all the time. The cemetery itself has historical significance and allows virtual and self-guided tours.
Going for a jog is hardly a disrespectful activity. And I like to think that if my spirit was eternally lurking in a cemetery that I wouldn’t mind the visit. And I would be happy someone else is enjoying their life through movement.
I've always thought cemeteries are meant to be used as parks, to a limited extent. They're primarily for mourners, but the whole point of being buried with a headstone is so others will remember you, and allowing the community to walk or run within the confines of the cemetery is facilitating that. If you're being respectful and not making noise there shouldn't be any issue. Plus you're not likely to see many mourners on any given day unless it's Memorial Day weekend or All Souls Day.
For years I used to run through a major cemetery in my town, we even had a run club there. But over the years too many other groups, mostly the really beginner hobby jogger types started crowding us out and now all "training" is banned.
Some of the other cemeteries ban running altogether post-covid. Really strange. Then again all of covid was strange - you'd get old folks yelling at you for running "too close" yet they'd walk in a group of 10 or more. They're probably all dead now so I don't feel too bad about it.
Though you can (and most do) crush a workout solo in the big cemetery. It's also one of the best plowed places in winter. I'd say no bigger than a group of 5 and you're probably fine.
Gotta hide your bottles and shirts through - all those walkers groups love to steal your sh*t. I've seen some random normal looking well to do woman steal another female runner's jacket and when we confronted them they have no explanation other than they wanted it. Lol get bent lady.
This post was edited 1 minute after it was posted.
I think this is a cultural thing. I ran in cemeteries where I grew up in the US as a teenager. My impression is that it wouldn’t be acceptable where I live in Germany.
The cemetery near me has some really nice paths. Is it weird to run there?
I think it’s fine. I once ran in a huge, forested cemetery in Munich. The gravel paths were great and all in the shade, which was great giving how hot it was that day.
My parents are buried 3' apart. I loved them both dearly and visit their grave site several times a year. If someone ran between them while on a run I could care less. And I'm sure you wouldn't get any complaint out of them either. They didn't let that kind of stuff get their panties in a wad and neither do I. We were raised to not let anything offend us.