Runner's Guide to the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler!

 

You are headed to DC!   Your months of training are finally coming to an end.  To help out-of-town visitors, I've created the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler Runners Guide to DC!  See you at the finish line and don't forget to enjoy yourself in our beautiful city!  Read my review of the race from last year so you know what to expect (here).

Look for Expo Perks like beer, wine and cheese!: 

Packet Pick-up will take place over two days at the National Building Museum.

Packet pick-up will take place on the second floor of the Health and Fitness Expo on Friday, April 1 between 3:00 P.M. and 7:45 P.M.) and Saturday, April 2 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:45 P.M. (sharp!) at the spectacular National Building Museum, 401 F St., NW, Washington, DC www.nbm.org/about-us. The National Building Museum is located directly opposite the Judiciary Square Metro stop on the Red Line. Metro use is strongly encouraged; parking is difficult to find and expensive! There is free bike valet parking on the west lawn (4th St. side) of the National Building Museum. There will be wine, beer and Cabot Cheese available at a special reception presented by the 201 bar in the expo hall at 5:00 P.M.. on Friday and lasting as long as the beer and wine hold up.

There is no Sunday pick-up at the race site on the Washington Monument Grounds.No exceptions. 

Check Out Who Will Be Running With Us:  Four-time U.S. Olympian and Olympic Marathon silver medalist Meb Keflezighi, and Joan Benoit Samuelson, the 1984 Olympic Marathon gold medalist in the inaugural women's Olympic Marathon, will be joining us this year.  You can meet them at the Expo.

Friday
3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.	Meet Meb Keflezighi: The four-time U.S. Olympian, 2004 Olympic silver medalist, and Boston and New York City Marathon winner will give a short clinic followed by plenty of time for autographs and photographs in the National Building Museum Auditorium. Don't miss Meb's first Washington, DC major race appearance.
Saturday
11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.	Meet Meb Keflezighi: The four-time U.S. Olympian, 2004 Olympic silver medalist, and Boston and New York City Marathon winner will give a short clinic followed by plenty of time for autographs and photographs in the National Building Museum Auditorium. Don't miss Meb's first Washington, DC major race appearance.
2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.	Joan Benoit Samuelson, the 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist in the first-ever women's Olympic Marathon, two-time Boston Marathon winner, and former American record holder in the marathon will speak in the National Building Museum Auditorium. Joan remains one of the top age group runners in the U.S. and will be chasing the U.S. women's age 55-59 10 mile record on Sunday.
3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.	Joan Benoit Samuelson will also be signing autographs at the Credit Union booth from 3:00 - 4:00 P.M.

SUNDAY APRIL 3RD IS THE DAY! 

Race time: 7:30 AM 

Start/Finish:  15th Street in front of the Washington Monument.  

Find your corral:  Corrals will be seeded by time.  You will find your corral based on the color on your bib.


Use Metro to Travel to the Race Site: Metro will open at 5AM on race day. The staging area is 1/4 mile from the Smithsonian Metro stop.  However, I've found it's easier to use the Federal Triangle Metro Stop. It's about the same distance from the start as the Smithsonian Metro station, but it's less crowded.

Popular Cheer Points: If your family and friends stick near the monuments they will be able to see you multiple times along the course- Lincoln Memorial would be my go to spot.  Then they could head towards the Washington Monument to see you finish.  

Fuel Up Beforehand: Most hotels will have food out for the runners in the morning, but double check with your front desk just in case.  Otherwise, grab some bagels, granola bars and juice for your room. 

Finish Line:  Try to agree on a place to meet up with your friends and family on the Washington Monument grounds.  With so many people mulling around, cell service could be next to nill.  

Head to Brunch to Refuel!  There are so many great restaurants in DC.  There are a lot within walking distance to the finish, but with so many runners and so many spectators, the lines for the closest restaurants will be LONG!  If you are able to, consider taking the metro away from the crowds and eat closer to your hotel or just completely branch out!   
Some of my personal favorites are:
 Busboys and Poets at 5th and K.  Get off at Judiciary Square metro stop on the red line.  They have amazing sweet potato pancakes, fresh squeezed juice and lots of options for vegans/vegetarians. 
Founding Farmers not far from the finish line and 3 blocks from White House.  This is where we ate last year post race, but the wait was at least an hour. 
You can check out this list from the Washingtonian to see if anything strikes you!   50 great breakfast and brunch spots in Washington. 

Check out all the great museums and sights!  My favorite museum is the Newseum (it's not one of the free ones unfortunately, but totally worth it!)  All Smithsonian Museums are FREE, including the National Zoo.   I love the beauty of the Reflecting Pool and Memorials, and I love paddle boating in the tidal basin. 

Restaurants while in town: You will need to eat while you prepare to crush 10 miles!  Some of my favorite DC restaurants are:

Meridian Pint which has a to-die for lentil burger and great rotating beer list.  Get off at Columbia Heights Metro stop on the green line.

Pizzeria Paradiso with locations near the Expo in Georgetown and in Dupont Circle this place has authentic wood fire pizza and you even get a bowl of olives to start your meal! 

Dean and Deluca (Felicity Fans anyone?)  This place has a great coffee bar, great bakery and a hot bar to customize your own meal.  It has a great enclosed patio that often has jazz musicians playing.

Matchbox Pizza with locations in Chinatown and Capitol Hill you have two to choose from.  Great brick oven pizza and an awesome (healthy) kids menu! 

SweetGreen has 10 locations through out DC.  This is a great place to go grab lunch or a quick dinner.  Lots of customizable healthy salads, soups, and wraps. 

P.O.V. Lounge to be honest, the food isn't that great, but the view is!  Use this location for happy hour or an after dark drink with your crew for some great views of the Washington Monument and the White House!  We even sat next to Corey Booker once!