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SLR Frequently Asked Questions

If your question is not answered by this list, please feel free to contact Anna Staats, Director for Training Initiatives. Anna leads the Saturday Long Run, and she will be happy to answer the remaining questions that you have.

More general inquiries can be directed to the board, and we request that media inquiries are submitted formally.

For most of the year the run starts at 8:00 a.m., but during the summer, we will switch to 7:00 a.m. to avoid the heat. The current start time is always posted on the main SLR page.

No, you should not be intimidated! Attendees will run a variety of different paces, but overall, this run is meant to be held at a conversational pace. Come run (and talk) with us!

Yes, you can just show up. There is no protocol, except that we usually ask new runners to say hi! Also, we encourage attendees to become club members.

There are a variety of paces represented at each SLR meeting. Yes, there are some “faster” people who run in the 7:00-8:00 range, but many runners fall within the 8:00-12:00 range.

If you are completely new to the sport, you should consider joining one of our formal training programs, which include run-walk pace groups.

SLR doesn’t have formally established pace groups. Each week the big group will start together, and then everyone self-sorts into smaller groups based on how everyone is feeling on that day.

Many SLR runners attend regularly, so there is some stability in the pace clusters that are established.

Also, the DCRR training programs join SLR when they are in session, and those programs do have established paced groups and pacers. 

No problem! You can turn around when you’ve gone half as far as you want to.

Each week, there are usually runners going a few miles shorter, and even some maniacs who go farther. Depending on your preference, you can either run a few miles before meeting us at the start, or you can add a few miles at the end.

Suggestions on route modification for alternate mileage are often posted in each week’s route update.

Some routes have water fountains available during the run, as noted on the route description, but this is not always the case, and fountains are generally turned off during cold weather.

In addition to year-round post-run drinks, during the summer, we organize volunteers to provide mid-run drinks (water, Gatorade, and ice) on the course.

We always recommend exercising good caution and preparation so that you can have a safe, successful run. Bringing additional water for yourself is never a bad idea.

We always meet at North Meade Street Park in Rosslyn, regardless of the direction of the route for the week. Please park legally, and do not occupy the parking spaces across the street at the Iwo Jima Memorial.