A guide to Whitman’s best after-school running routes

Every afternoon, Whitman’s Track and Field team sets out on a run. The team has a number of different routes, which vary in length and difficulty, but they each have their own ups and downs (pun intended) for runners. If a student is looking for an easy way to get a workout in, the Track and Field team has a few pre-constructed runs that anyone can follow.

Maiden

Maiden, named for the lane that it starts on, is a one mile run circling Whitman. It’s the most suburban of the courses, taking runners exclusively through the neighborhood behind the school. Although it includes a few hills, the course remains relatively easy.

“Maiden is kind of like old reliable,” junior Obi Onwuamaegbu said. “It’s always a good warm up or cool down. It’s not too long, so overall it’s pretty fun.”

Maiden is also good for anyone looking to get a workout. While the typical run has students going down the 150 meter hill in the middle, running back up the hill can be a rewarding challenge for those who want to try. The number of repetitions is up to the runner, but eventually running up the hill can feel as good a workout as a gym session. For a track workout, runners usually complete a minimum of six repetitions.

Landon

The Landon School, across the street from Pyle Middle School, has a running path around its campus that’s about three miles long. The scenery changes frequently on the run—first, runners go around the school’s soccer fields, through the woods, then through part of the campus—ensuring a runner won’t get bored. For some students, though, the best part of the course is the open spaces. Unlike Maiden, Landon doesn’t have houses on either side of the path, and runners often gets lost in the scenery.

For junior Breanna McDonald, the best part of Landon is the views.

“My favorite part about Landon is this slight hill, and late in the afternoon, you can see the sun setting.” McDonald said. “Especially during the winter, I think that’s really pretty.”

Bethesda

Bethesda is a five mile run, going from the Whitman neighborhood into downtown Bethesda via the Capital Crescent Trail. It’s one of the more demanding runs for the track team.

“It’s a good staple. It’s got everything you need,” senior Josh Engels said. “It’s fun running in downtown Bethesda, and the trail part is really fun. It’s a good in-between.”

While Bethesda is the longest run, it also has the most opportunities for breaks. Students can bring money with them to buy something or can stop at a restaurant to ask for water.

These runs are perfect for a student looking to start running or build up their mileage. And because they’re all straight from school, it’s easier to run with your friends.

“Because you’re running a lot more milage, there’s a lot more time to just relax with your friends. It’s not like you have to go high speeds,” McDonald said. “You can just talk to your friends and just get to know them better.”