Capitol Hill Classic 10k Preview

The Stats 5/12/13 - 5/18/13
5/12: 3.11 mi; 23'40"; 7'35" avg. pace
5/14: 2.52 mi; 19'00"; 7'32" avg. pace

I was hoping to get in a 5 miler before the D.C. 10k. That plan did not work very well. I had to settle for two shorter runs. Now I'm looking forward to surviving what should be a beautiful run through the nation's capital. Some new kicks made those short runs extremely easy. I bought a pair of Saucony Guide 6's and have been thoroughly impressed.

The shoe is light but secure. It felt like my feet were gliding in a comfy pillow. These puppies are a replacement for my year and a half old Nike Triax Structures. They will be a welcome asset on the roads of D.C.
As for the race, I thought I'd provide a street by street breakdown in advance. Remember those days before Google Maps when you couldn't get a street view of nearly every road in the U.S.? Yeah, me neither. It has spoiled me and thankfully so. With it I can provide pictures of major race intersections and form a run strategy. Here it goes.

The race starts at the south end of Stanton Park. It continues on C Street, 2nd Street, and Constitution (left, right, left) and stays pretty flat. 

2nd St. after the first left turn of the race

Constitution left onto First

Then, we hit First avenue and run with the Capitol on our right and the Supreme Court to the left. "What up, corrupt politicians?" I may say. "How are you living? Well, I know it's well."

First Ave. with the Capitol on the right

First Ave. Supreme Court on the left

Next, comes a left onto East Capitol Street. This street is nice and flat and tree covered. It should provide good shade if it's sunny or wet leaves if it's rainy. We'll run along the south end of Lincoln Park and then onward towards RFK Stadium. 

Pretty East Capitol St. See, a dude is running there

East Capitol approaching Lincoln Park

Running towards RFK

We hang a left on 22nd St. in front of RFK. It is downhill from that point to the Anacostia River trail behind the stadium. From about the 2.5 mile to 4 mile marks, we run inside Anacostia Park Section F. At the 4 mile mark, we exit the park and head uphill for a mile. The altitude gain is only 100 feet over the course of that mile though, so it shouldn't be a daunting climb. We'll rejoin 22nd Street and then retrace East Capitol Street on the way back. 

Lincoln Park on the way back. This time turning left.

Mile 5 ends right near the return trip past Lincoln Park. Then it's the last mile home stretch towards Stanton Park. This section is all pretty flat. The route turns right off East Capitol and onto 3rd Street. Then, there is a slight right on Maryland Avenue. Maryland bends around in front of Stanton Park and we'll end where we started, near Peabody Elementary School.

The finish line will be in sight from here

So that's the picture heavy preview of the Capitol Hill Classic 10k for 2013. Less than two days until race day. Get me that packet and let's get moving!