Race Descriptions

Shooting Starr 5M

The race is named in memory of club member, Jim Starr. The 5 mile race (Championship Series) is part of our low-key club race series, and is free to MCRRC members, $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only. Check out the course map and elevation.

Directions: Francis Scott Key Middle School, Hillandale: From I-495 take Exit 28-A, New Hampshire Ave. toward White Oak about 1.5 miles (to the second light after Powder Mill Rd). Make a left on Schindler Dr. (opposite the Fed. Research Ctr/Golf Course). Proceed 0.75 miles to school on the right (910 Schindler Drive).

Country Road Run 5M

Come out and run the hills of Olney. The 5 mile race (Championship Series) begins at 8am and there is a 1 mile Fun Run (Junior Participation Series) at 8:10am. The race is part of our low-key club race series, and is free to MCRRC members, $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only at the Olney Swim Center, in the Olney Manor Recreational Park.

Directions: From I-495, take the Georgia Avenue North exit (Exit 31). The Olney Swim Center is on the right, just past Batchellors Forest Road (16601 Georgia Avenue, Olney, MD 20832). Turn right onto Emory Lane to enter the Olney Manor Recreational Park, where the Swim Center is located.

2007 RRCA 10M Challenge

Members, come out and represent MCRRC in the 2007 RRCA 10M Challenge on Sunday, February 25 at 8am in Columbia. We need all club members for the team competition, in order to trounce the competition from neighboring RRCA clubs, so take advantage of this race as a great Cherry Blossom tune up. We should mention that this course is *not* flat :-) MCRRC will pay for registration for all club members who run for our team. Race day registration is available, but it will be appreciated if you sign up in advance. You can find online information and registration procedures here (the flyer has a course map). The MCRRC Team password is mco333. Pick up numbers at the Howard County Community College Physical Education building where locker rooms and showers are available. The race starts on Hickory Ridge Road.

Directions: From Maryland Route 29 north, take Broken Land Parkway west and turn left on Hickory Ridge Road. This will lead you to the College's back parking lot and gym. Additional parking will be available in the Hickory Ridge Building lot.

Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon and 50K

This point to point trail race will begin at Damascus Regional Park in Damascus and will end at Riley's Lock on the Potomac River and C&O Canal Towpath. Runners will be car-poooled from the finish to the start on race day morning. The marathon and 50K begin at 8:00am so runners will need to arrive at Riley's Lock for the bus ride between 6-6:45am. Particpants should expect minimal aide, should be comfortable on trails and with the marathon distance, and should be highly self-sufficient. See the link above for more details. This 'close to marathon' length race will be timed but is not USATF-certified and cannot be used to qualify for any USATF events. Registration will be held in advance of race. See race website for more details. $10 to MCRRC members and $20 for non members.

Directions: From 495, take the River Road west exit. Continue several miles until River Road turns left at Seneca Rd. (there is a stop sign). Turn left, then proceed a few hundred yards until Rileys Lock Rd. on your left (13015 Rileys Lock Rd). Please allow 30 minutes from the Beltway to get to the race site.

Run Aware 5K

The venue has changed for the Run Aware 5K. It will now take place at Wheaton Regional Park near the outdoor skating rink and dog park. The course revives the old Run for Roses course, and combines rolling hills and flats with a blend of road, trail, and mixed surfaces. This race is part of our low-key club race series, and is free to MCRRC members, $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only.

Remember, this is the first day of the new daylight saving time!

Directions:

Take I-495 to Georgia Ave/MD-97 North.
Proceed north on Georgia Ave approximately 2.6 miles.
Turn right on Arcola Avenue and turn right and proceed approxiately 0.8 miles.
Take a left on Orebaugh Ave. and proceed approximately one block into Wheaton Regional Park.
Park near the skating rink.

Piece of Cake 10K

Unfortunately, canceled due to icy conditions.

Join us in celebrating MCRRC's birthday with a run through scenic Seneca Creek State Park. There will be .25 and .5 mile Young Runs beginning at 9am. The 10k (Championship Series) starts at 9:15am and you'll encounter rolling hills on the park's quiet roads, and expect a few deer sightings along the way. The 2.78 kilometer run is part of the Junior Participation Series and begins at 9:20am. Following the race will be our Annual Meeting, so stick around for some birthday cake! The race is part of our low-key club race series, and is free to MCRRC members, $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only. Here is a course map.

NOTE: PARKING IN THE PARK IS VERY LIMITED. Please make every attempt to carpool and arrive early. We will monitor parking very closely and turn away cars once we reach the limit. If you are turned away, there is limited parking available at the church just up the road from the park entrance. However, if you have to park out there, you will have a long walk to the start line. We can not allow any illegal parking, as doing so will jeopardize our ability to obtain permits for future races in Seneca Creek State Park.

Directions: From I-270, exit at Clopper Rd W (MD 117). Proceed about 2 miles to the Seneca Creek State Park entrance on your left (11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878).

Difficult Run Cross Country 8K

Truly a difficult run, this cross country offers dirt trails once you make it to the top of a dirt hill so steep, you'll feel like you're climbing a wall. It's so much fun that you'll get to do it twice as a part of this two-loop course. If we're lucky, they'll be some obstacles on the course (fallen trees), too.

The run begins at 9:00 AM at Scott's Run Nature Preserve, located at 7400 Georgetown Pike in McLean, VA. The race is part of our low-key race series, and is free to club members and $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only.

Directions: From I-495, take exit 43-44 and follow signs for Georgetown Pike, 193, west. Follow Georgetown Pike west approximately .6 miles west from the beltway to the main parking area on the right hand side at the bottom of the hill (at the intersection with Swinks Mill Road). Additional very limited parking is available only .3 miles from the beltway (top of the hill, on the right hand side). Note that the park is listed on some maps as "Dranesville District Park". Please car pool and come early as parking is extremely limited!

Firebirds Mile

Co-sponsored with the Gaithersburg Firebirds at Gaithersburg HS, this one-mile race is for adult and youth runners. It is free to MCRRC and Firebirds members and only $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only. More info

Directions: Take 270N, exit at SHADY GROVE ROAD, east; turn north onto 355 (S. Frederick Avenue);
pass through 2 lights;turn left onto Education Blvd. at the third light. Gaithersburg High School will be up on the right (314 South Frederick Avenue). Park on the right side of the school in the bigger parking lot. Park and walk around back to the staging area near the track.

Pikes Peek 10K and 1K Fun Run

Race down Rockville Pike from the Shady Grove Metro to White Flint Mall on a fast course. There is a tshirt and entry fee for this race. Check the web site soon for more details on this popular race.

Hills of Cabin John Cross Country 5K

Come race through woods, trails, and ,if we are *really* lucky, mud!!! Along with the 5K (Cross Country Series) race, there will be .25 and .5 mile Young Runs and a 1K (Junior Participation Series) race. The race is free for MCRRC members, and $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only.

Directions: From I-270 interchange at Old Georgetown RD, exit north on Old Georgetown Rd to left on Tuckerman Lane; turn left onto Westlake Drive. Take the first entrance on the right into Cabin John Regional Park.

Bethesda Trolley 5M

The BT5 is a new race for 2007 in North Bethesda. After the Piece of Cake 10k was canceled, this race became a Championship Series Race for 2007. The 5 mile course winds through neighborhood streets and then onto North Bethesda Trail (also know as the Bethesda Trolley Trail) for an out and back run to Tuckerman Lane. The course crosses bridges over both I-495 and I-270. The race starts and finishes at the Maplewood Alta Vista Community Center, located at 5209 Alta Vista Rd. The course features rolling hills with a downhill finish. The race is part of our low-key club race series, and is free to MCRRC members, $5 for non-members. Start time is 8am. Registration is race-day only.

Kids on the Run

More than 150 kids enjoyed this race last year, featuring distances of 100 meters, .5 kilometer, 1k and 2k. The 2k is part of the Junior Participation Series. This year the race begins at 8:30am at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. There is a small entry fee for this race. More details.

Sue and Connie's Run 4M

This race is named in memory of Sue Wen Stottmeister and Connie Barton. It will be at the Rock Creek Valley School located on Russet Road. The 4 mile run will begin at 8am, followed by the kid's 1 mile run (Junior Participation Series) at 8:05am. This low key event is free to MCRRC members and $5 for non members.

Directions: From Norbeck Road northbound (Rt 28) turn onto Bauer Drive. Turn right onto Russett, go up a hill. Rock Creek Valley Elementary is on your left (5121 Russett Road, Rockville).
photo by Connie Barton	photo by Gabby Uza

Capital Crescent Run 5K

Join us on a flat, fast, and shaded course for our next race, the popular Capital Cresent Run. The .25 and .5 mile Young Runs begin at 7:30am and the 5K begins at 7:45am (Championship Series). The race is free to MCRRC members, and $5 for non-members. Register on race day only.

Directions: To get there from I-495 or Route 270, exit at Old Georgetown Rd (MD 187) south. Go approximately 2.5 miles then turn right onto Arlington Road. Turn left onto Bethesda Avenue, and then turn right into the parking lot at trail entrance at the intersection of Bethesda Ave and Woodmont Ave.

Gaithersburg Cross Country 5K

This is a flat, fast cross country course around Gaithersburg High School and through Bohrer Park. The 5K (Cross Country Series) begins at 7pm. The race is free to MCRRC members, and $5 for non-members. Register on race day only.

Run for Roses 5K

Don't miss this RRCA Women's Distance Festival race at Wheaton Regional Park. The race course runs through the woods, around the lake, and around lovely Brookside Gardens. The free 1/4 and 1/2 mile kids runs for all children start at 7:45 a.m. Check the race website for details.

Midsummer Night's Mile

Dust off those spikes for the Midsummer Night's Mile at Rockville High School. It is a track mile, run in heats, and part of our Championship Series. The race is free to club members, $5 for non-MCRRC runners. Register on race day only.

The anticipated heats are:

Heat 1 - Runners with expected times greater than 8:45.
Heat 2 - Runners with expected times greater than 7:50 up to 8:45.
Heat 3 - Runners with expected times greater than 7:00 up to 7:50.
Heat 4 - Runners with expected times greater than 6:15 up to 7:00.
Heat 5 - Runners with expected times greater than 5:45 up to 6:15.
Heat 6 - Runners with expected times greater than 5:20 up to 5:45.
Heat 7 - Runners with expected times greater than 4:50 up to 5:20.
Heat 8 - Runners with expected times of 4:50 or less.

Directions: From I-270, exit onto Rte 28 toward Rockville. Cross Rte 355. Turn left to stay on Rte 28/1st St. Turn right at the traffic light onto Baltimore Rd. Continue for 1.1 miles. Rockville High School is on the left. (2100 Baltimore Rd, Rockville, MD 20851)

Rockville Rotary Twilight Runfest

Join us for the ever-popular summer 8k and post-race party. There is a t-shirt and entry fee for this race. Check the Twilighter website for more details.

Directions: I-270 to exit 5 onto Falls Rd toward Rockville. Keep right onto Maryland Avenue to Rockville Town Center.

Rileys Rumble

Marathoners take note! This is a great tune-up for MCM along the rolling hills of Potomac/Poolesville. The race is free to club members, they should register on race morning. Registration is $10 for non-members, they should register online to avoid the race day crowd. The half-marathon is part of the MCRRC Championship Series. Check the race website for details.

Directions: From I-495, take the River Road west exit. Continue several miles until River Road turns left at Seneca Road (there is a stop sign). Turn left, then proceed a few hundred yards until Rileys Lock Road on your left (13015 Rileys Lock Road - Google Maps, MapQuest). Please arrive at the race at least an hour before the start; allow for 45 minutes of driving from the I-270/I-495 interchange.

Take Back the Night 5K

This race is being sponsored by MCRRC in conjunction with Olney's National Night Out. The 5K start will be held in the Olney Town Center Shopping Plaza, off of route 108 in Olney. The start will be at or near BJ Pumpernickel's, a deli in the shopping plaza. Parking may be limited to please arrive early or try to carpool. The race begins at 7pm and registration begins at 5:30. The race is part of our low-key race series, and is free to club members and $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only. For those who do not want to run, the National Night Out will consist of games for the kids, safety demonstrations, and other family activities.

Directions: From Norbeck (route 28): Follow route 28 and turn left onto Georgia ave. Follow Georgia ave for approximately 5 miles and turn right onto Route 108. Follow route 108 for .25 miles and turn left at the second traffic light into the shopping center (where the Olney Movie Theaters are located). The address for BJ Pumpernickel's is 18169 Town Center Drive.

Go for the Glory

Dust off those spikes and head for the Go for the Glory Track Meet at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda (7100 Whittier, Boulevard Bethesda MD 20817). The .25 and .5 mile Young Runs start at 7:30pm. Then the 2 mile (Championship Series and Junior Participation Series) begins, followed by the 400m, and the 1 mile. The fast heat of the 2M will be held first. The track meet is part of our low-key club race series, and is free to club members and $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only.

Directions: Take I-495 to Exit 39, River Road east to Washington. Turn left onto Whittier Blvd (7100 Whittier, Boulevard Bethesda MD 20817)

Comus Run

Come out and enjoy the Bachman family hospitality as they host this cross country race. You'll enjoy some nice, rolling hills while running 25% on trails and the remainder on grass. Bring your cross-country spikes! The race is part of our low-key race series, and is free to club members and $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only..

Directions: From I-270 N, exit Route 109, turn right at bottom of ramp, South on Old Hundred Road / MD-109. 3 miles to right on Comus Road; 3/4 mile, turn right on Barley Field Lane. First left into Barley Field Court to #12.

Cabin John Kids Runs

Kids (18 years and under) 9:00 am at Cabin John Regional Park in Potomac
50yd, 1/4M and 1/2M (YR); 1M (JP) In the interests of promoting children's running, this race is free to all runners 18 & under.

map
Directions: From 270, exit onto Old Georgetown Road North towards Rockville Pike. Turn left on Tuckerman Lane. Go about 3/4mi and turn left into the Park.

Seneca Creek Park (Lake Needwood) Cross Country

Location and distance changed.

Because of the dam repair project currently underway at Lake Needwood it is necessary to change the location of the Lake Needwood 10k cross country.

This year only, this race will be held at Seneca Creek State Park. The date is the same. the course has not been measured. The distance will be between 4 and 5 miles. We'll know better before race day. The start and finish will be at the playground near the lake.

Directions: From I-270, exit at Clopper Rd W (MD 117). Proceed about 2 miles to the Seneca Creek State Park entrance on your left (11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878).

DARCARS Young Run

Join 3000 kids in the ever-popular race. Run 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile or 1 mile. No race day registration.

See the race web site for more details.

Little Bennett's Revenge Cross Country

The venue and distance have changed for Little Bennett's Revenge Cross Country. Now held at the Agricultural History Farm Park at 18400 Muncaster Rd., Derwood, MD 20855, the race has been lengthened to 6K. Promising to still be lots of fun, the course is entirely on a broad, grassy trail over gently rolling hills. Part of our popular low-key club series, the race is free to MCRRC members and $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only.

Directions: From I-270N take exit 8 (Shady Grove Rd), bear right on ramp to Redland Road eastbound and go approx. 2.5M. Once you pass Muncaster Mill Rd, Redland Rd becomes Muncaster Rd. Continue 1M. Look for entrance sign for Agricultural Historic Farm Park, then turn left into park; follow road to the Park Headquarters.

Rockville 10k/5k

Join us for Montgomery County's oldest race. There is an entry fee and t-shirt for this race.

See the race web site for more details.

Candy Cane City 5K

Join us in Rock Creek Park for this Championship Series event. Flat, fast out and back course along Beach Drive and the new trails of Candy Cane City in Chevy Chase. The race is part of our low-key race series, and is free to club members and $5 for non-members. Registration is race-day only.

Directions: From I-495, exit 33 onto southbound Connecticut Ave. Turn left on East-West Hwy; right onto Meadowbrook Lane. Follow Meadowbrook Lane past Meadowbrook Stables to the Candy Cane City playground of Meadowbrook Park.

Turkey Burnoff

Work off those extra holiday calories at one of our most popular club races, the Turkey Burnoff (Championship Series=10 miles) at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg. The course is scenic and you'll burn off that third helping of pumpkin pie on the gently rolling hills. The park deer occasionally make a cameo appearance, and they don't brake for runners! The 5 and 10 mile races begin at 10am and the 2 kilometer race (Junior Participation Series event) begins at 10:15am. Registration is race-day only, get there at least 30 minutes early to park and walk to the signup area. The races are part of our low-key club race series, free to MCRRC members and $5 for non-members.

Course Map (pdf format).

Directions: From I-270, exit at Clopper Rd W (MD 117). Proceed about 2 miles to the Seneca Creek State Park entrance on your left (11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878).

Frozen Slopes Cross Country 6K

The venue has changed for the 2007 Frozen Slopes Cross Country due to construction on the Lake Needwood Dam. The race will now held at the Meadowside Nature Center at 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20855-1812

The new course has been measured to be 6k. See the course map for details.

Jingle Bell Jog

Dashing through the snow to an 8k race today...

Join us at the Rockville Senior Center for the last club race of the year, the Jingle Bell Jog. The 8K (Championship Series) begins at 9am, and there will be a 1 mile Fun Run at 9:10am (Junior Participation Series). The course winds through the quiet residential neighborhood. Registration is race-day only. The races are part of our low-key club race series, free to MCRRC members and $5 for non-members.

Directions to Jingle Bell Jog: From I-270 exit at MD Rt 28 East. Turn left immediately at Nelson Street; left onto Crocus Drive, left onto Carnation Drive and continue to the Senior Center at 1150 Carnation Drive.