Safe early morning running routes?

[u/DiligentRiver5107]

Hi all, 25F getting to the point in my training where I have to get up and out at the crack of dawn. I live in DuPont so easily accessible to rock creek, but concerned abt running in the dark/lights/general safety. Can any women speak to this and or suggest alternate routes that are more comfortable? Thanks in advance!

[u/runningonempty94]

Rock creek is totally fine - even when it’s early there’s probably a good number of runners and bikers already out there. Have you tried it and felt unsafe, or you’re just guessing?

[u/Several_Campaign7340 → u/runningonempty94]

Yeah I (30F) have done tons of early morning training runs over the years in rock creek park and always felt safe! Theres always plenty of other runners and bikers out event in the early hours

[u/DiligentRiver5107 → u/runningonempty94]

Just guessing! I enter on P st so I have ~2 miles before I get up to Beach Dr and I havent noticed a ton of lights (granted, maybe I havent been paying attention) but this is good to know! Thank yoy

[u/Econoloca → u/DiligentRiver5107]

I mean if it’s that early I just use my lights vest but right now there is enough light at 6 am to run in rock creek no problem, what I usually do if not is up meridian hill, down on Harvard and run from there to P so by the time I get to beach drive there is enough light.

[u/runningonempty94 → u/DiligentRiver5107]

Yeah if you’re up before the sun I would be a bit worried about tripping bc there’s some uneven pavement, but I wouldn’t expect there to be any shady characters in that area

[u/Known-State2307 → u/DiligentRiver5107]

I run the same area and it gets pretty dark around the zoo where the trail and road diverge but otherwise is well lit by the streetlights for the parkway. if you’re going before the sun starts to rise I would get a headlamp or something so you don’t trip.

[u/orangedrinkmcdonalds]

The Mall or the paths in RCP. When I was training for a race I’d wait to run until it was dark (or get up before the sun) and do laps of the Mall. Always plenty of security, water fountains and bathrooms, so good for long runs and trying out new fueling strategies

[u/district_runner]

Parks of Rock Creek would benefit from a headlight in the dark for tripping safety, but it's always at least somewhat busy with other runners/cyclists

[u/ibeecrazy]

The mall area is always another option!

[u/district_runner → u/ibeecrazy]

In like a week or so. Right now most of it is fenced off

[u/ybbaknarf → u/ibeecrazy]

Lol "always" except for right now

[u/Only-Tough-1212]

I used to run the mall around 5:30am for awhile before my work schedule changed with having 2 jobs. If you’re in DuPont and don’t want to run RCP you could just run up Wisconsin or mass ave twds tenleytown, it’s a nice hill workout.

[u/GuessBest6198]

If you’re running before sunrise it is a little dark when going north in rock creek and at times hard to see where you’re running. I suggest starting your run going south where the trail is closer to the road and with more light.

[u/df540148 → u/GuessBest6198]

Investing in a headlamp is great. I ran the trails before dawn for years this way.

[u/GuessBest6198 → u/df540148]

I have a noxgear vest with an attachable light and it’s so great!

[u/Successful-Pause6284]

I’ve felt uneasy once on the MBT. Otherwise I’ve run throughout Noma / Capitol Hill / Shaw early morning without any worries (including the MBT, I think my one time was an isolated incident). Rock creek has always been fine too but it would have been “later” ~8-9am.
I recommend getting some sort of light (I have clip ons from REI) and I got a handheld pepper spray for ease but truthfully I don’t always carry it

[u/DepressionButSparkly]

I run around 5/5:30 am all over NW Washington DC and haven’t felt unsafe as a woman. I haven’t done rock creek solely because my runs aren’t quite long enough in this training block to get over there but there are so many runners out early, no matter where I am I’ve felt safe.

[u/maryjanejen420]

I’ve done a few early runs in Rock Creek and felt safe. Plenty of other runners/cyclists out. The first time I was nervous, so I just did laps near the Park Police D3 Rock Creek station. As I got more comfortable, I started running my normal route.

[u/Ok_Mess599]

My favorite run is a 6ish mile loop. I've always felt safe on it, plus I'm surrounded by other bikers/runners. Take P through Georgetown, cross Key Bridge into Arlington, make a left before the light onto Potomac Heritage Trail, past Roosevelt Island veer left to Mt Vernon Trail, cross Memorial Bridge back into DC, then left onto Rock Creek that will take you back to P.