Official Race Guide

Welcome to the Race the Perimeter Official Race Guide! I am so excited to have you participating in this year’s race. This guide is for registered participants only, please do not share with other runners not yet registered. If you have any questions that are not covered in this guide or on the public website, please contact racetheperimeter@gmail.com.

THIS IS A LIVING DOCUMENT AND WILL BE UPDATED LEADING UP TO RACE MONTH - PLEASE READ THIS IN ITS ENTIRETY AHEAD OF RACE DAY. 

01: Weekend Schedule

Packet Pick Up

  • Date: Friday, May 8th, time TBD

  • Location: TBA

  • All runners are required to pick up their race bibs and kits during this window

  • One team member may pick up materials for the whole team or runners can come individually (please decide this amongst your team)

The Race

  • Date and Time: 7:00am on Saturday, May 9th (solo runners will start at 6:00am)

  • Location: Jones Point Drive, Alexandria, VA 22314

  • Please arrive ~10-15 minutes prior to the start time. All team members are welcome and encouraged to come to the start line, even if you are not the first runner running. Parking is available in the park and on the streets of Old Town. 

The After-Party

  • Location: TBA

02: Race Logistics and Safety

Strava Route

  • The suggested Strava route is linked - you may make any variations to this route as long as you generally follow the DC perimeter and meet all of the designated checkpoints

  • It is recommended that you run, walk, bike, or drive parts of the route that look unfamiliar beforehand, but if you don’t have time, you can actively follow the Strava route on your phone as you’re running

  • While this is a race, please consider helping other runners out and following each other along the course as you’ll definitely see each other out there

Potential Strategies

  • This is an unsanctioned race with no set exchange points between runners, so you are free to change whenever and wherever you want

  • You can do mile repeats, 5k repeats, or plan out specific segments ahead of time that each runner will cover

  • When interchanging runners, it is recommended that the vehicle drives up to the interchange point to a spot where it is safe to pull over so that the next runner can get out and be ready for the exchange

  • When possible, please keep an eye on your runners ahead of and behind you 

No-Car Option

  • If none of your team members have a car and you are not planning on renting one, the simplest option is to have each team member run one section of the course, like a traditional relay. 

  • For example, runner 1 would run the first 7 miles, then exchange with runner 2 at a predetermined point, and so on. 

  • Exchange points can be anywhere along the course, depending on how long each runner wants to run for, but should be decided ahead of time for this option

Required Checkpoints & Finish

  • There will be 3 checkpoints along the course before the finish line that one of your runners will need to pass through. They are generally located at the corners of the perimeter.

  • You will need to take a photo with the designated landmark and send it to the WhatsApp group when you pass through the checkpoint. Have some fun with the photos!

  • Designated checkpoints

    • 1 - Capitol Heights Metro (133 Central Ave) - take a picture with the metro sign on Central Ave as you approach the turn onto Eastern Ave

    • 2 - Rock Creek Shopping Center (2299 Washington Ave) - take a picture with the sign as you are coming down Washington Ave and turning onto Grubb road

    • 3 - Francis Scott Memorial Key Bridge (1198 34th and M St) - take a picture somewhere along Key Bridge

    • Finish - District of Columbia Boundary Stone (38.791125, -77.039623)

      • It is encouraged that your team runs the final quarter mile - full mile together so that you can cross the finish line together. It’s up to your team how much you’d like to run together, but the final stretch is along the Mt. Vernon trail, which has easy access from various points along the route. 

      • Once your team finishes, you will take a picture with the finish line banner. You are then free to go, but are encouraged to stay and cheer on other teams coming in!

  • If your team does not hit these checkpoints, you will be ineligible for a finish time

  • When your team is one mile out, have your team captain text Jess (more info this will come to team captain emails)

  • Distance Requirement

    • Winning teams will be required to show their cumulative distance on Strava and it must be >45 miles

    • You do NOT need to record the entire run on one watch/Strava, but you will have an AirTag wristband that you will have to pass from runner to runner

  • It is recommended that you scope out the checkpoint locations and waypoints ahead of time so that your runners know what to look for when it comes along the course

Time Limit

  • The time limit for this event is 10 hours (extra hour for solo runners), or about 13.5 minutes/mile. The reasoning for this is 1) avoiding running at night and 2) getting over to the after-party!

  • The finish line area will close at 5pm

Tracking

  • This is an unsanctioned race, so there are no official timing devices. 

  • The first runners that cross the finish line in each division will be the winners, as long as they have hit the designated checkpoints

  • Your team will be given a tracker attached which you will pass off from runner to runner as you exchange (think baton in a track race). The purpose of this is for live leaderboard updates!

Safety

  • The safety of all participants is the number one priority. If at any time you feel unsafe running, please use common sense to mitigate the situation. Examples and recommendations are listed below.

    • If you are running on a road that you feel is unsafe (for any reason), please get in the car and drive the distance until you feel safe. It is expected that you share the approximate distance that you drove and a time of 10 minutes per mile will be added to your final time. 

    • If you get lost, call your other team members to come find you. If you cannot find your way back to the route, please contact Jess directly via WhatsApp DM. 

    • It is recommended that you carry your phone with you at all times during the race. Please share your location with your team members on Find My Friends so that you can locate each other for exchanges. 

    • Bike pacing your runners is encouraged, but not required. There are Capital Bikeshare stations all around the DC perimeter and you can purchase a day pass for $8. 

  • This is an unsanctioned race and therefore, the roads are not going to be closed for this race. ONLY run on the sidewalk or footpaths along the entire course. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you run on a highway or high traffic road. When possible, please run facing traffic so that you can see the cars coming towards you. 

  • Please do not trail runners on the road (going a very slow speed and disrupting traffic). It is better to pull up ahead and spot your runner from behind while waiting to exchange. 

  • Having a crew for this race is optional and not required, but it may help you on your journey. You can have friends assist you in driving, bike pacing, and providing fuel. The only rule is that crew members may not take mileage running - they can run WITH you, but not be the only ones running a segment. You are also welcome to have a photographer/content point person!