Bethesda / D.C. running tracks

Tilden is the best option right now but it will be demolished soon and the track is a 1/10 quality. High school tracks generally closed for sports 3-8 most nights.

Georgetown prep used to be easy to sneak into but they demolished theirs.

There’s a track @ Berman in Rockville. One at Montgomery college but that is locked down right now as is the rocheambeau track in Bethesda. Holton arms and Landon have nice ones, both potentially accessible if you park off the property and approach on foot.

Public school track facility rankings

1) Walter Johnson

2) BCC

3) Churchill

4) Whitman

Has anyone tried running at the track at Takoma Academy in northern Takoma Park? If so, is it open to the public? According to Google Maps satellite view, there is a track there.

The track at Coolidge High School, in DC, is open before and after school until dark. They will call the cops to kick you out if you hop over the fence to run on the track (during school hours at least). I have not tried to climb over the fence to run there on the weekend, though.

Former D.C. Resident wrote:

My favorite was the Georgetown Community Track at 38th & R. Always open to the public. A little shorter than a standard track, though - 320 meters or five laps for a mile.

Wait, what???

I set all my PRs on that track!

Good stuff in this thread. Banneker is never closed but make sure you exhaust all other options first unless you want to be narrowly avoiding collision with 1st lane walkers going the wrong direction and drug addicts yelling at you every lap.

Georgetown prep track is ready. I think they built a new one. Do you know if they let the public use it? You mention it was easy to sneak in, I'm curious if they'll let me use it in the morning.

Thanks

ktown-run wrote:

Georgetown prep track is ready. I think they built a new one. Do you know if they let the public use it? You mention it was easy to sneak in, I'm curious if they'll let me use it in the morning.

Thanks

I'm also a K-towner but haven't tried Georgetown Prep, I've heard stories from back in the day about security guards turning runners away there. Not sure if that still goes on. I guess it's worth a try, the worst thing that can happen is you will be told to leave.

WJ has been open in recent months (it was completely locked down for a while during the initial onset of COVID).

It's funny to read about all of the Tilden suggestions from 8 months ago, because that track is long gone due to construction of the new school.

Bethesda, MD wrote:

Anyone know if there are tracks available to run on for the general public in the area?

There is a nice 4 lane track available 24/7 at Banneker Park, right across from Howard University on Georgia Ave. I run there at least once a week. It's lit after dark as well.

rojo wrote:

What about American U? That’s where I trained when I was out of college.

Not open to public. You may have also been allowed access since you were known to be decently good at running.

Bethesda, MD wrote:

Anyone know if there are tracks available to run on for the general public in the area?

Go-to tracks across DC area:

1. Washington-Liberty HS in Arlington. Just about always open to public and they always have the lights on.

2. Any Montgomery County HS when there are not active high school sports going on. You just have to check athletic schedules at the high schools. Per Montgomery County law, they are public use for any Montgomery County resident.

3. Montgomery College in Rockville. Always open, but no lights.

Bumping this...

Any inside info on Roosevelt's track? Open to public nowadays?

This site is pretty accurate on where the tracks are and if they are open to the public:

runtrack.run

Running - all over the world

All the best places to run. Find tracks, running routes, group runs and running spots all over the world.

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