Petpeeves1 wrote:
I have worked in DC for 4 years and the best running is on the C&O canal. More space and you don't have the large amount of people like Rock Creek. Rock Creek is nice but people feel more entitled there. Big running groups take up the whole trail pushing you to the grass, and people aren't courteous if you politely yell track. As far as the trail goes Rock Creek is nice. I have only ridden a bike through the airport trail so I don't know much about it. From what I gathered that is a pure bike trail.
Another vote for the C&O as long as the geese aren't out en force. When they are, they block the trail and hiss at you and try to bite you. I've had to kick one before, poor thing. I had no other choice as it had me cornered against the water with like 45 other geese behind it.
The so-called "airport trail" is really called the Mount Vernon Trail and it's decent for running but a bit crowded at times. It's also hard surface, which doesn't bother me but some may prefer the dirt of the C&O. I worked in Rosslyn for years and would run on the Mount Vernon Trail at lunch. I'd head out of my office, run to Gravelly Point and back and it was exactly 7 miles. Hotter than blazes during the summer with no shade and the glare from the water but it was still better than 99% of runs.
DC truly is a great running town, especially when you consider that it's a big, urban area. Stay in the District proper - or the immediately adjacent NOVA neighborhoods - if you want to keep running. I had a friend move to McLean and he basically gave up running b/c it was either jump in the car and sit in traffic to find a running spot or do 600 meter loops in his neighborhood.
I never really connected with one of the running stores b/c I trained with college teammates who also lived in the area, but Georgetown Running Company and Pacers are both good spots to meet other runners or join a track workout group.
New track at St. Alban's looked super nice last time I was in town. I wonder if any groups have access to that facility.
If you run through Georgetown's campus, watch out for Lax Bros who'll wing lax balls at your head.