Safe Running Reminder March 26

I encourage you to stay fit and keep running and walking, which is easy to do by yourself.  If however you choose to run near another person for safety or other reasons, practice the recommended 6-foot social distancing.  And in this current situation, in consideration of those who share the paths and trails of Reston with you, please don’t spit on the paths.

To encourage safe exercise, we have temporarily turned off the Event Calendar, Please visit our Course Library for a full listing of Run & Walking courses

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE MARCH 24, 2020

To recap – from last week:

• All weekday and weekend runs & walks have been suspended until further notice.
• The Women’s Training Program and any other meetups are on hold.
• The Runners Marathon of Reston has been cancelled. Please see the event website for more information. Questions should be sent directly to the RMR at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• We can stay connected through social media and photo sharing.You can use the links in the “social media” and “photos” sections below to do so.

This weekend of March 21-22 was our first under this new policy.  In my view we did a commendable job of exercising safely.  There were 20 or fewer people starting at the usual 8AM time on Saturday and Sunday, and people were running in groups of only 2 or 3.  Hopefully many others were able to run or walk on your own.

Although the inability to run as we normally do will reduce the quantity and the quality of our running experience for most of us, the breaking news that 2020 Olympics has been postponed means that you will have some time to get back in top shape if you are trying to make the team.

New State and Location Restrictions Imposed This Week

Since we instituted this policy a week ago, restrictions have only grown.  On March 23, Virginia Governor Northam ordered the closure of public schools for the remainder of the academic year and the closure of many businesses to include fitness centers, gyms, rec centers, and massage centers for the next 30 days. The text of his order can be found at  https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2020/march/headline-855292-en.html

The Reston YMCA had already closed prior to this order, which will also affect private gyms.

As a result, it becomes even clearer than running and walking is the most versatile form of exercise and one of the few that remains available to you in something like its normal form.  However, you should be aware that Fairfax County and the Reston Association have now closed down their parks and recreation facilities so you should not expect to find the outdoor restrooms or drinking fountains you are used to relying on available.  The March 24 closure notice from Fairfax County can be found at https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/2020/03/24/park-authority-closes-all-parks-trails-remain-open/

Note that local trails do remain open.

Road Races

I am not aware of any notable road race that is still taking place in March or April.  In addition to our own Runners Marathon of Reston, the following spring races have been canceled: the Bull Run 50 trail run, the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, the Rock and Roll full and half marathons in DC, the Shamrock full and half marathons in Virginia Beach, the Charlottesville 10 Miler, the NYC half marathon, and the Pikes Peek 10K in Maryland.

Races postponed to the fall include the Boston Marathon, Ukrop’s Monuments 10K in Richmond, the GW Parkway 10 Miler in Alexandria, the Flying Pirate Half Marathon on the Outer Banks, and the Delaware, London, Paris, Big Sur and Charlottesville marathons.

Potomac River Running has canceled the We’ve Got Your Back 5K scheduled for mid-May but has not yet posted a cancellation notice for their Mother’s Day 4 Miler in Reston.

Other Local Athletic Events

I anticipate that the Amy Amigos youth triathlon in May will be canceled, as have the May Kinetic triathlons including the ones at Lake Anna.  A decision will likely be made by the end of April regarding the Reston Sprint Triathlon scheduled for May 31.

The Reston Triathlon scheduled for September 13 is still anticipating they will be able to hold their event and registration remains open.  As with the Reston Sprint Triathlon, they will be subject to Reston Association decisions about the use of RA pools or lakes.

The Reston Bicycle Club has suspended its group rides.

Coronavirus Update March 18, 2020

What a week it has been!  In the past week national, state and county emergency declarations have been issued for the coronavirus pandemic.  As of March 17, there are 12 presumptive positive cases in Fairfax County, but no fatalities.  While the number of cases remains low, the impact is all around us.  Fairfax County has closed its parks and recreation facilities and senior centers, and the Reston YMCA is now closed as well.  You may wish to bookmark the county’s webpage devoted to this situation at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/

Weekly Runs

Reston Runners will do our part to minimize the risk of community spread of the virus and adhere to the recommended “social distancing” limit on gatherings to 10 or fewer people.  As a result, all of our weekly runs and walks are now suspended.

We will continue to post recommended courses for you to run, by yourself or in small groups, on Saturdays and Sundays.  These courses will no longer be chalked on Saturdays, and there will be no water support on either day.

Connecting Through Social Media

During this period when we cannot connect with each other as we usually do, we encourage you to use social media to stay in touch.  In addition to using your personal social media accounts to post pictures or updates of your workouts and any spring blossoms or wildlife you encounter while out and about, this Reston Runners site tells you how to post your photos on the club's pages. https://www.restonrunners.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/442-social-media

Women’s Training Program

Registration for the Women’s Training Program Registration for the 2020 Women's Training Program has been suspended. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions..  We hope to be able to resume registration and do some version of the program this year if possible.

Runners Marathon of Reston

Due to the closure of Fairfax County Public Schools to outside users, and now to students as well, we are unable to hold the RMR this year.  Please see the event website http://www.runnersmarathon.com/#intro-1  for more information.  If you registered for this event you should have received an email from our Race Director Anna Newcomb on March 17 explaining your options and what will happen next.

Looking for Another Race?

Many of us enjoy competing.  Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic is not leaving you many opportunities to race in the near term.  In the District of Columbia, the Rock and Roll Marathon and Half in March and the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in April have been canceled. Other notable cancellations include the NYC half marathon in March, the Shamrock marathon and half in Virginia Beach, and the Charlottesville 10 Miler.

Among the races that have been postponed to sometime this fall are the Boston and London Marathons, the Big Sur and Paris marathons, the Ukrop’s Monuments 10K in Richmond, the GW Parkway 10 Miler in Alexandria, and the Charlottesville marathon.

One Final Request

Times are stressful, but please leave some toilet paper and water for someone else – if they ever show up in the stores again, that is.

Membership Renewal Time!

Are you current? Check the Roster . Questions/problems? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. the Membership Coordinator. Support your Club and RENEW HERE.  

Annual Meeting & New Board of Directors

Thanks to everyone who took part in the Club's Annual Meeting and dinner on February 15, 2020 where the new Board of Directors for 2020 was introduced. You can see the officers and other Board members  HERE. Thanks also to Luz Blakney for producing the slide show at the meeting which highlighted Club members and activities during the previous year. PHOTOS (Photo credit: Pablo Raffo).

VIEW Reston Runners 2019 Finanacial Summary. 

 Logo Contest

The logo overall winner was  Damien DeAntonio.  Finalists were Selemon Getachew and Aleena Edwards. Thanks to all entrants, and to Calin Clinton and Mary Shedlock for managing the competition to update the Club Logo.

Runners Marathon of Reston

The Runners Marathon of Reston is now accepting your application to volunteer for this race. The race depends on volunteers; and volunteers’ competence and enthusiasm have gone a long way to burnishing the already stellar reputation of this race.  Click here to sign up.