Dues Questions:

Q. How much does it cost to join the WRC and how often do I have to pay? 

A. Dues are paid annually and they are $15 for an individual and $25 for a family (family members living at the same residence). If you join on or after September 1st, you are paid for the remainder of that year and the entire next year also. Dues are due in January each year, but we are flexible. For instance, if you're on a limited budget and you join in June, you can wait until June of the next year to pay if you wish. In other words, we'll work with you.

Q. When I'm ready to join, how do I?

A. You can join by mailing a check in or using a secure online service (Active). Note that you do not have to be a member of Active.com itself to use their service to pay dues online by credit card. However, even so there is a small fee associated with joining the club via active.com, so your payment will be a little higher if you use the online service. Links to the membership form and online service are on our home page and the membership page.

Q. What do the dues collected by the club cover?

A. The WRC has overhead expenses to pay every year including incorporation fees, bank charges, membership in USA Track and Field, website fees and maintenance, postage, and various other operating expenses. The club has expenses associated with team racing, the pool party, the annual year-end party, and member-recognition awards. From time to time the WRC makes donations to worthy running-related causes. The club also purchases clothing and merchandise items to sell to members at reduced and subsidized prices (e.g., hats, tshirts, racing singlets, sweatshirts, etc.). 

Q. Do I have to pay dues and become a member before ever coming out to run with the club on a Sunday, or on track night?

A. NO, you are entirely welcome to check us out first. Again, we are flexible. If you want to come to a few runs to see if we are a fit for you, then please feel free to do so. However, we love new members so if you find you like the WRC (and you will), please join up!

Q. I'm going to be in town for an internship (or temporary work assignment) - can I come out to run with the club without officially joining?

A. YES. We welcome visitors who are in the DC area for brief stints (even if only on vacation) to join us at any time without them having to become formal members of the club. This is especially true for students who are sometimes here for internships and on very limited budgets.

Membership and Running Questions:

Q. Is the WRC for beginning runners?

A. We welcome runners of all abilities and have had many beginning runners over the years. However, if you have not been running at all and/or running is completely new to you, we recommend you begin a training program on your own and get some miles in before coming out. If you have a friend who is a beginner also, coming together for one of our group runs is a good idea so that if you happen to get left behind, for instance, you will have someone to run with. And we do usually have a good mix of people running so it is usually not a problem having someone to run with. (Our distance runs are out and back so if one needs to turn around early to head back, it's easy to do so.)

Q. How big is the WRC and what is the membership makeup?

A. We have nearly 170 members. Last year (2006), we had 62 new members join us, a club record. We expect the same in 2007. We have members of all age groups, but the majority of members are in their 20's and 30's. We also are about split in member numbers between the sexes.

Q. Your website shows two runs listed, the track workout and Sunday distance run, do members get together to run at other times?

A. The track workout and Sunday distance runs are the club's formal runs each week. However, many members do get together on their own to run in various size groups and at various times. Most that do so met eachother through the club. The club leaves it up to members to find fellow members to run with at various times, outside of the normal club runs. We can help with email addresses though, as long as the members in question okay it.

Q. Where does the Sunday Distance Run Begin?

A. Where it has for years and years. Here are directions.

Q. Your Sunday distance run information says from 8 miles to 20 miles, what does that mean?

A. As is the case with all running clubs, the larger group that meets to gather for a distance run breaks up into smaller groups depending on pace and distance that people want to go. This isn't done formally, but people link up by discussion or it happens by chance as the large group heads out. (Distance run courses are usually along the Crescent trail, the towpath, or the trails in Rock Creek, although sometimes we enjoy a run toward DC and the monuments and West and East Potomac Parks.)

Q. Are club track workouts always on Wednesday night?

A. NO, our track night is on Wednesday night during the Winter months when it is dark out so we can take advantage of the lights at Washington-Lee High School (they are only on Wednesday nights during the winter). In the Spring we switch our track night to Tuesday night because the track is not as crowded then.

Q. Are track workouts and Sunday distance runs held each and every week throughout the year and how do I know if one of them is cancelled?

A. NO, we sometimes need to cancel the track workout when the track is being used by the high school, or because of snow or ice. When we can't do track, we sometimes do a fartlek or tempo workout on the nearby bike trail. Sunday distance runs are sometimes cancelled as well, if there is a holiday or a big race (e.g., Cherry Blossom 10-Miler, Marine Corps Marathon).
Members find out about this via the weekly email update that goes out each week.

Q. Does the WRC offer formal coaching or training?

A. The club does NOT offer formal coaching, but there is a wealth of knowledge among the active members in the club about training. Many members have and are running marathons and freely share information on their training. The club has members who excel at many distances, from 5k's to ultra marathons. Members exchange ideas while running, through emails, through weblinks...all kinds of ways.  

Q. Can I expect to improve my running and fitness if I join the WRC?

A. YES, but it all depends what you are willing to put into it. The act of joining a running club in and of itself won't help you, but working on your running with other members will. So, if you are serious about setting goals and achieving them, you will improve your fitness and running by joining the club. Most of our consistent members will tell you that they have exceeded their goals and that their fellow members in the WRC and the comaraderie involved are what helped them do it.

Q. What does the member-only weekly email update cover?

A. The email covers member race results, important club announcements and activities, track workout and Sunday distance run information for the week, and other pertinent member or running information. We also allow members to post running-related information or questions to eachother. The weekly email usually goes out to members early in the week, and only a couple of weeks are skipped during the year. 

Q. What types of awards are given at the year-end party?

A. We try to recognize both outstanding achievements and quality performances of members. It isn't only the best runners that get recognized, but also those who have been active members in the club and who have set personal goals and worked hard to achieve them. For examples, visit our History and Leadership page where awardees from recent years are listed there. 

Q. What can I expect if I come out to run with the group, will I be welcomed?

A. YES! We try to be as welcoming and friendly as possible to new people joining us for runs. We've heard it said numerous times, that we are the friendliest club in town!