NoMa Run Club Newsletter: The Bittersweet End of Summer

Hi runners! Welcome to the September edition of the NoMa Run Club (NRC) newsletter!

In August, we had our last sunset of the summer after 8 PM, marking the end of those long evening runs in the daylight. But we got a glimmer of what the fall weather will bring us as we had a week of faux fall where we could run, breathe, and not be drenched in sweat all at once. A group of NoMa Run Club members took a break from running to catch the Spirit vs. Arsenal match at Audi Field. But perhaps the biggest highlight of August was the Hood to Coast relay race, where a large group traveled to Oregon. You can read more about their experience below.

In local DC news, the DC Board of Elections cleared Initiative 83 (ranked choice voting and semi-open primaries) to appear on the ballot this November (though this is currently being challenged). If you live in a large rental apartment complex be aware of hidden utility fees. Also, Metro reopened the four Red Line stations on Sunday, September 1st that had been closed this summer for construction.

As we approach fall, we are pushing back the start time of our Saturday runs to 8:30 AM. The first 8:30 AM will take place on September 7th!

NoMa MoMA: Monthly Member Awareness

We would like to nominate Chris Baitinger as the next member of the month. He is a great ambassador of the community who goes out of his way to meet new people and make new runners feel included. - Morgan and Wes

Why did you join NoMa Run Club? 
I joined NoMa Run Club to build some community in DC. I dipped my toes in the water and first joined the club back in the summer of 2022 but only started coming regularly in the fall of 2022. What I found was one of the most welcoming and friendly running groups I've ever been a part of.

Favorite running route in DC?  
My favorite running route is any trail run that cuts through Rock Creek or Glover Archibald park (most underrated park in DC). Also the whole of the Anacostia Trail for serene riverfront vibes.

Current running goal?  
My current pipe dream is qualifying for Boston and just having the most fun possible while not getting injured. 

What do you do when you’re not running? 
Biking, binging anime, enjoying the free events and museums DC has to offer.

August Events Recap

Hood to Coast Relay - August 23rd-24th
On August 23rd & 24th, August B., Anthony S., Meryl W., Chris B., Michael L., Allegra D., Haley F., Adrian V., Carolyn D., Erin C., Emily F., and Diane M. competed in Oregon’s Hood to Coast Relay, which began near the top of Mt. Hood and finished on the beach in Seaside. 

Working in two vans with six runners each, the team began their journey on Friday at 11:05 AM with a steep descent in freezing rain, crushing PRs and destroying muscles along the way. Runners experienced variable terrain and conditions as they worked their way to Portland, running through forests and farms in sun and storm. After each van completed six legs, it passed the GPS bracelet to the other and enjoyed a few hours away from the action. Day turned to night, and the runners donned their light-up vests and headlamps, pressing on toward the coast. While one van ran, the other stopped to snatch what little rest they could, sleeping in vehicles or tents as circumstances permitted. When the dawn came, the team was flying through the misty, verdant forests of western Oregon, battling tired legs and heavy eyelids along the way. By the time the team crossed the finish line on Saturday afternoon, they were awash in pride at their accomplishment and relief at finally finishing: they had covered 196 miles in 26 hours, 35 minutes, and 11 seconds, finishing 27/294 in their division and 157/1179 overall. 

The disappointment came later when they realized that they didn’t even get a banana (or a beer) for their efforts. The medals and the memories would have to suffice. 

Upcoming September Events

Thursday 5K w/ Dad Strength Brewing - September 5
Join us this Thursday in front of Lost Generation Brewing for our usual 5K run on the MBT, where Dad Strength Brewing will bring complimentary, post-run, 2.9% ABV Dad Strength IPAs to share with runners. After, we’ll head into Lost Generation for our usual post-run hangout. You must be 21+ and RSVP to the FREE event to participate.

Rock n’ the Knob Trail Challenge - September 14
Run or cheer on club members at the Rock n’ the Knob Trail Challenge, one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most physically demanding races with more than 250 feet of climbing per mile on your legs! Good luck to Liz, Emily, August, and others!

DC Half Marathon - September 15
Another option is to participate in a local half marathon that will take runners from Hains Point to Rock Creek Park and back. The DC Half is presented by Pacers Running. Good luck to Clara, Jennifer, Alex, and others!

Annual NoMa Beer Run - September 21
Join us for our annual NoMa Beer Run! Choose your distance — 2.5 or 4 miles — and you’ll enjoy 3-4 brewery stops before ending your run at Andy’s in NoMa for pizza and a pint from their varied draft selection, all included in your ticket price! Each brewery stop will include one 4-7oz taster pour. Both routes are mostly run on the MBT. Participants must be 21+ and are subject to I.D. checks by breweries. Buy your tickets before they sell out.

Aerodynamics

If you've been watching a lot of track and field events at the Olympics, you might be curious about the impact of aerodynamics. You may have noticed athletes running with loose clothing and long hair, which could affect their results. This recently published technical paper examines the impact of different clothing and hairstyles on performance. The results support a similar study done 40 years ago. The TL;DR: “long, curly hair can increase athlete drag by up to 8.7% in the 100m sprint. Wearing both a loose-fitting top and loose-fitting shorts also increases drag by more than 23% in the 100m sprint, compared to wearing a tight-fitting top and tight-fitting shorts.” This translates to about 0.07 seconds over 100m. While we may never find ourselves in a race that would come down to hundredths of a second, every second matters.

Voter Registration

Election season is approaching. Depending on where you're registered, local elections might be even more significant than the presidential election. Make sure to verify and update your voter registration if necessary, and be aware of the relevant deadlines. Register to vote in U.S. elections | Vote.gov

Run Club Merchandise

We have a merch store with shirts, tanks, race singlets, hats, beanies and more. Pick your choosing, and it will be shipped straight to you. Also, 10% of the purchase cost will go straight to the club, which we will use to continue to fund all of our fun runs, socials, and events throughout the year. Look forward to seeing you all in NRC gear. Thank you for supporting us!

Newsletter Contributions

Do you have a running related story you would like to share with us? Did you participate in a race and want to send in a race report? Do you want to nominate someone as the member of the month?

Weekly NRC Runs Calendar

Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to stretch 🙂