Washington Running Club

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
 
Q. How big is WRC and what is the membership makeup?
A. We have nearly 130 members. We have members of all age groups, with the majority of members in their 20’s and 30’s. We also have an even split of male and female members.
 
Q. Is WRC for beginning runners?
A. YES! 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 by coming out to the monthly fun runs for a low-key introduction to WRC.
 
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!
 
Q. Do I have to become a member before ever coming out to run with the club on a Sunday run or at track workouts?
A. NO! You are entirely welcome to check us out first to see if we are a good fit for you. However, we love new members so if you find you like WRC (and you will), please join!
 
Q. I’m going to be in town for an internship (or temporary work assignment). Can I run with the club without officially joining?
A. YES! We welcome visitors who are in the DC area for brief stints to join us at any time without becoming formal members of the club. This is especially true for students who are sometimes here for internships and on very limited budgets.
 
 
RUNNING QUESTIONS
 
Q. Your website lists a few runs, like the track workout, Sunday distance run, and monthly fun run. Do members get together to run at other times?
A. The track workout and Sunday distance runs are WRC’s formal runs each week. However, many members do get together on their own to run.
 
Q. Where does the Sunday Distance Run begin?
A. As always, the Sunday long run starts from the corner of 33rd and M St NW in Georgetown. The starting time in the summer shifts to 7 a.m. and the normal starting time is 8 a.m. during the rest of the year. Check the website announcements to verify which start time is in effect. We meet for coffee at Dean and Deluca following the run.
 
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 forms smaller groups made up of runners running different distances and varying paces, depending on their objectives (e.g., marathoners may do a 20-miler while non-marathoners might choose to run 12 miles). This isn’t done formally—mostly by discussion or organically.
 
Q. Does the WRC offer formal coaching or training programs?
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 run multiple 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, over coffee, through emails, through WRC’s online forum, etc.
 
Q. Can I expect to improve my running and fitness if I join WRC?
A. YES, but it all depends what you are willing to invest. 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 members who have improved will tell you that they have exceeded their goals and that their fellow WRC members played a role in helping them do it.