Summer runs

Gonzaga Cross Country -- Summer Training Runs | Main XC summer page

Summer mileage challenge totals

Practices start the week of June 1.  Some changes are expected from week-to-week due to captain's schedules or weather.  Contact captains for the most updated info.  

Tuesday morning (7:30am):  Gonzaga (parking garage will be available; you can also use metro or other means to get to campus)

Thursday evening (7:00pm): Cabin John area trails.  Meeting spot is Cabin John Local Park  (click for map)  at 7401 MacArthur Blvd.  This is just east of the one-lane aquduct bridge, on the north side of the road.  Access from 495 via Clara Barton Parkway - head towards DC from 495.

Saturday (7:30am): Long run at Carderock - see directions below.

Carderock:.  Location map (also labeled as parking for Billy Goat Trail C).  Carderock is also shown on this map of area hiking trails and on this map of the DC region of the C&O Canal.  Access from Clara Barton Parkway between I-495 and MacArthur Blvd.    We meet at the furthest-west parking area (turn right after crossing under the canal on the access road).  This is a popular area for runners, hikers, and climbers; if the parking lot fills, there is another lot a few hundred yards away that could be used as overflow.   As of summer 2025 restrooms have been closed for repairs; porta-potties are available but no water.  Projected opening date has not been announced.

Weekend track meets - Potomac Valley Track Club hosts track meets at Alexandria City HS and track workouts at various Arlington/Alexandria high schools.  Good chance to get in some fast running. 

Alternate locations:  Long Bridge Park |  Lake Fairfax |  Northern VA:  Langley HS . (6520 Georgetown Pike in McLean).  | National Arboretum | Gonzaga | Rock Creek Park (see below) | Carderock (see below)

Rock Creek Park at Boundary Bridge (directions below)

The Boundary Bridge/Beach Drive location (click for a map) is located at the DC/MD border on Beach Drive, where the parallel paved trail turns to natural surface.  From the Beltway, exit north onto  Connecticut and then head east (toward Mormon temple) on Beach Dr.  Continue under the Beltway, across route 410 (E-W Highway) to the small parking lot at the DC border, on the left side when you reach the gated section of Beach Dr.  This parking area is often called "Boundary Bridge".  The area nearby in MD is variously known as Meadowbrook Park or Candy Cane City.  (Note that Beach Drive is called "Jones Mill Rd" between East-West Highway and the Mormon Temple; there are many ways to reach this location.  If you have not driven in this area, be certain you know where you are going before heading there, since the street grid is not intuitive and can be confusing.  Purple line construction could also affect access this summer).   Note - the section of Beach Dr in DC north of Broad Branch Rd is closed to vehicle traffic.  If driving to practice you will need to approach from Maryland.  Bikes and pedestrians are permitted on the portion closed to vehicles.  If the boundary bridge parking lot is full, there is another lot ~1/2 mile further north, near the intersection with Pinehurst Parkway.

Some useful web sites: Running Routes (mostly DC-based) | G-map Pedometer (calculate distance of your own running routes)