If anyone is looking for a chance to race a marathon this fall, there's going to be a small race in DC on 12/5.
We have limited capacity, so we're mostly looking for runners under 2:50, and we're required to clear the course after 3-hours, so that's a firm cutoff. The race will be USATF sanctioned, but it's a strictly no-frills affair.
for more info, and please include a brief running bio.
Hains Point or ??? in terms of course?
Yes, it will be gate-to-gate on Hains Point because NPS no longer closes Buckeye Drive.
It will essentially be this course:
https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=m&id=264
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Hey, this is a great idea! Thanks for pushing ahead in these crazy times. Are you planning to do the linked course 4x plus an add-on?
I am not going to email you yet because then I will be committed :)
The course will be exactly 5 circuits, so 2.62 miles each way. It means we won't have mile markers, but we figure that it's easy enough to calculate what your 2.62 split should be, plus there are already quarter mile marks out there. Also, it will be pretty cold, so having the start and finish at the same spot so people can leave their gear makes sense. I wish we could do loops, as the course would be incredibly fast, but even with the hairpins, it should be quick.
I could be interested.
Have never raced a marathon or even a half but think I would be in the 2:55 range based on my training runs (done lots of hilly 11-milers around 6:20-6:30 pace). So maybe a little slow for what you are looking for. Just desperate to get any race in so it may be fun to do a marathon cause why not?
Can you show me what the medal and shirt will look like?
Will there be water/sports drink stations setup? If so, what type of water and sports drink as I'm very particular about the water I drink? It must be Voss. Don't even give me that Poland Spring or Deer Park crap.
Timing clocks?
Wave start?
Where is the pre-race packet pickup?
Is there a post-race party?
Where can I park?
Are pacers allowed?
Are awards going to be given out?
How soon will results be posted online?
Can I run it virtually and just report back to you my time?
We're totally happy to have anyone if there's space under our permit cap. We can put you on the list and let you know in a couple of weeks.
Jreddy wrote:
The course will be exactly 5 circuits, so 2.62 miles each way. It means we won't have mile markers, but we figure that it's easy enough to calculate what your 2.62 split should be, plus there are already quarter mile marks out there. Also, it will be pretty cold, so having the start and finish at the same spot so people can leave their gear makes sense. I wish we could do loops, as the course would be incredibly fast, but even with the hairpins, it should be quick.
Cold ? Maybe, maybe not.
I’m looking at my strava activities from last year beginning of December and 50 seems to be the average.
.InjuryProne. wrote:
Cold ? Maybe, maybe not.
I’m looking at my strava activities from last year beginning of December and 50 seems to be the average.
Who knows. Average high/low for the 5th is 50/35. That could be pretty cold if you're in a sweaty singlet at 9 am and have to walk a mile and a half. No mylar blankets at this race!
Update:
Dojo of Pain Invitational Marathon - 12/5/2020
Information below subject to revision.
Registration:
There is a three-hour cutoff due to Park Service Restrictions. If we reach our 100-person permit cap, we will give priority to faster runners, but we really do hope we can accommodate everyone.
Let us know ASAP if you want to be included in the field (email
), and provide a brief running bio, especially marathon PR, marathon goal, and other PRs if they indicate a faster marathon ability. If we can’t accommodate everyone, we’ll use our judgment about how to compare different times (e.g., a 32-minute 10k runner with no prior marathon would get in ahead of a 2:59 marathoner).
We will let you know if you’re in by October 15. At that point we will collect a $50 registration fee (via Paypal of Venmo) to cover the permit, police, insurance, course certification, and supplies.
A signed waiver will be required for our USATF insurance, but
Race:
Saturday, December 5, 2020, 6:30 am.
The course is in East Potomac Park, in Washington, D.C.
It is almost the same as this course:
https://www.dcroadrunners.org/images/Snowball_Series/Al_Lewis_10_miler/al_lewis_5_and_10_mile.pdf
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The only difference is the turnaround will be at 2.62 instead of 2.5. Unfortunately the Park Service won’t let us do complete loops, but even with the hairpins, the course should be fast.
We plan to have the race USATF sanctioned, so it will be valid for all qualifying purposes.
If you plan to set an American Record, let us know so we can arrange for drug testing :)
Almanac for 10/5:
Average high of 50, low of 35
76% moon at start of race
Twilight 6:41, Sunrise 7:11 (should be plenty of light at the 6:30 start)
Prerace:
Parking is available along Ohio Drive up to the start and near the tennis courts. Or use rideshare.
You may leave your gear at the start/finish. We won’t have a formal/secure gear check, but it’s a small field and people will be around the entire time.
We will announce bib numbers in advance and try to distribute as many as possible before the race. If you do not have your bib number until race morning, you can collect it from a volunteer, but please remember what it is so we don’t have to look it up.
There will be one port-a-potty available at the start. Try to use it as early as possible. There are a number of permanent bathrooms around the park that will open at 7 (after the race starts).
Covid Precautions:
Everyone must be masked when not running. You may toss your mask when you start, and we will retrieve and dispose of them.
We will have disposable masks available when you finish.
Hand sanitizer will be available.
Race procedures:
From turnaround to turnaround is 2.62 miles. We recommend you calculate your goal time split for that distance and take a manual lap on your watch each time you hit a turnaround. There will be no intermediate mile markers. If you look carefully, you will see spray-painted “t” marks on the road. These denote quarter miles, and you can use them for a quick speed check. GPS is fairly accurate on Hains Point.
Stay to the right to avoid oncoming runners. Most of the course is fairly straight, so being a little off the curb should not cost you much distance.
Go around each turnaround cone counterclockwise.
There are a lot of hairpins in this course. The best way to approach them is not to swing wide and maintain momentum, but rather to slow down, take them very tight, and turn around immediately without trying to push extra hard to get back up to pace:
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The finish line will be from the turnaround cone to the right curb.
The aid station will be approximately 200 meters before the start/finish turnaround. You must provide your own bottles. Bottles should be labeled with your bib number. Consider using a distinctive bottle or decorating it, so that it is easier to find. Bottles will be placed on folding tables in bib-number order. Volunteers will attempt to identify incoming runners and hand them their bottles, but it may not always be possible. If a volunteer is not able to get you your bottle, it is up to you to grab it from the table. As you approach the aid station, please signal whether you want your bottle (hand extended=want bottle, one-armed baseball umpire signal for “safe”=no bottle). Please keep your bottle through the turnaround and toss to the side as you get back to the aid station. Volunteers will replace your bottle on the table for the next pass.
You are responsible for removing any clothing or garbage that you leave along the course, other than at the finish line and aid station.
The race will be hand-timed, in accordance with USATF rules. Three timers will record each finishing time on three different stopwatches. We use the middle time and round up to the next full second. Results will be posted online after they are compiled.
We must be off the roads by 9:30. We will tear everything down by then, but if you’re close to finishing, we will still time you. No guarantee the police won’t try to stop us, but considering Hains Point is open to runners at all times, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Will there be drug testing before and after this race?
Not in the know wrote:
Will there be drug testing before and after this race?
If you plan to set an AR, please let us know in advance so we can arrange it!
Sorry man but you couldn’t make this the full Hains Point loop? What legit runners are going to want to do a marathon with TEN hairpin turns
Jreddy wrote:
Not in the know wrote:
Will there be drug testing before and after this race?
If you plan to set an AR, please let us know in advance so we can arrange it!
No record of any kind has ever been set on a course with TEN 180 turns. NEVER
I am an American wrote:
No record of any kind has ever been set on a course with TEN 180 turns. NEVER
Just be nice. They are putting on a fun race in the middle of a crazy time. You can always run one of the other USATF certified marathons in DC if you don't like this one.
I am an American wrote:
Sorry man but you couldn’t make this the full Hains Point loop? What legit runners are going to want to do a marathon with TEN hairpin turns
Plenty of legit runners (OTQs and D1 All Americans) have already registered.
Obviously we wanted to do the full loop, but NPS no longer closes Buckeye Drive. Anyway, a 180 turn costs only a few seconds, and those are the only turns in the course. There are 9 hairpins, not 10. The total elevation gain and loss for the entire marathon is about 10 feet. It's probably a faster course than Chicago with its 30 turns of 90 degrees or more.
Thank you very much for doing this. I know a lot of runners in the DC area are very appreciative.
Jreddy wrote:
I am an American wrote:
Sorry man but you couldn’t make this the full Hains Point loop? What legit runners are going to want to do a marathon with TEN hairpin turns
Plenty of legit runners (OTQs and D1 All Americans) have already registered.
Obviously we wanted to do the full loop, but NPS no longer closes Buckeye Drive. Anyway, a 180 turn costs only a few seconds, and those are the only turns in the course. There are 9 hairpins, not 10. The total elevation gain and loss for the entire marathon is about 10 feet. It's probably a faster course than Chicago with its 30 turns of 90 degrees or more.
Good points. It will be a good race
Update: We're about 3/4 full. Plenty of fast people, so unless you qualified for NAZ's marathon, you'll probably have someone to run with.