Miranda DiBiasio fell in love with running while she was in high school, relieved to find an activity that was so personally rewarding. Running allowed her to breathe, calm her nerves and find peace.
She didn’t feel as seasoned as other runners her age, and she was drawn to George Washington University, which was also growing — the Colonials were debuting track teams when she would start school. She could grow as a runner alongside a new team.
Throughout her time at GW, DiBiasio learned a lot about being a competitive runner. The track program demanded more time and energy than she had ever experienced, but she took it in stride. She quickly learned that it was no longer just about showing up for runs, it was about putting in the work off the field too — a hard lesson for a lot of runners to learn. This required more work on flexibility and a ton of work on strength to correct her form. She watched her diet like it was a religion.
D.C.’s Kerry Allen was a guest on the Run Farther and Faster podcast.
Oakton High School and American University alumna Samia Akbar was a guest on the Ali on the Run podcast.
The Guestbook Podcast recounted the Juneteenth Marathon held in Washington, D.C. June 13.
Herndon alumna Hiruni Wijayaratne was a guest on the Rambling Runner podcast.
Name: Ryan Bos
Self-described age group: 45-50
Residence: Washington, D.C.
Occupation: Executive Director, Capital Pride Alliance
Volunteer roles in the running world: Organized a challenging 8K trail and road race off of Lake Michigan, called the Tower Run.
Why you run: To stay fit, mentally healthy, and be able to indulge my sweet tooth for dark chocolate.
When did you get started running: Playing night time team tag growing up in my neighborhood, as early as third and fourth grade.
Have you taken a break from running: Yes. I had some knee issues after high school, come to find out I needed a heel lift in my right shoe because my leg was shorter. More recently I took about 2.5 months off because of COVID-19 and a follow-up condition that had me in the hospital for about 10 days.
Stephen Rutgers, marketing director for the Washington Blade, talks about his running, what the pandemic has meant for June’s Pride festivities and he explains Cuba to Farley.
- Capitol Hill’s Courtney Carter was a guest on the Ali on the Run podcast last week,discussing her new role as Oiselle’s advisor for diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Roman Gurule, who RunWashington featured last summer, shared his experience with Covid-19 in recent weeks on the Run Farther and Faster podcast.
- Prince George’s County tracks are now open
Name: Jackie Ogden
Self-described age group: whatever 30 falls into
Residence: Logan Circle
Occupation: Capital markets strategist
How has your running changed in the last few weeks: Learning to manage breathing with a mask is adding some solid lung capacity. Definitely avoiding some of the more crowded paths along the Potomac, where possible! It has been fun to explore some alternative, less crowded running routes through the city!
Why you run: I do it for mental wellness, for friendship and community (shoutout to my beautiful running crew, Knife Hands, @goknifehands) and because I need balance for all of the sweets I eat.
Johnny Gregorek, son of two Georgetown track alumni and a professional mid-distance runner, talks about his record blue jeans mile and the fundraising he did for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in his brother’s memory.
- Oakton and American alumna Keira D’Amato ran 15:04 in a 5k time trial in Richmond, a time which, in a race, would have put her seventh among women over 35 and met the Olympic qualfiier.
- Montgomery Parks will be removing hazardous trees along the Capital Crescent Trail 8 am-4 p.m. until Friday, June 19. The trail will remain open.
- Beach Drive in D.C.’s Rock Creek Park will remain closed to through traffic north of Broad Branch Road thorugh July 24, though portions north of Joyce Road are open to allow access to picnic areas.
- The expanded road closures on Sligo Creeek Parkway and Beach Drive in Montgomery County Friday-Sunday will last until at least Labor Day.
- All NOVA Parks bathrooms are now open.
- All water fountains along the W&OD Trail, aside from the ones near the Broad Street bridge in Falls Church and Sunset Hills in Reston, are now operating.
- Montgomery County Public School track reopened June 15, but will not issue permits until at least Sept. 15.
- The Montgomery County Road Runners Club has canceled all of its races through Sept. 13.
Runner, activist and Harlem Run founder Alison Desir addresses representation in the running community and offers a primer on recognizing white supremacy.
Adam Staveski struck four times in the first month of the DMV Distance Derby, taking May course records in Arlington, Rock Creek Park, Roosevelt Island and RFK Stadium. Molly Ritter holds the women’s lead with the two Beach Drive segments and Burke Lake.
More about the Distance Derby:
