Running

***Colvin Run's Thursday Night Country Dance with Tim Bowker*** Come early and enjoy the warmup music at 7:15 p.m. **Tim Bowker's Country Nightclub Two-Step lesson** is at **7:30 p.m**, and then stay for **DJ Tim's dance party 8:30-10:30 p.m.** Cold water, snacks and lots of friendly people included. No partner, experience, or reservations needed. Plenty of free, safe parking. $15 entry fee (cash/check only); Includes lesson, dance and light refreshments. ***First Timer? No Problem!! Come learn a great lesson from Timothy Bowker! We welcome everyone!*** \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Mark your calendars for **West Coast Swing Sundays** Every 2nd & 4th Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The next WCS Sunday is January 11, 2026 ***Find your happy place at Colvin Run Dance Hall*** ***Where everybody knows your name, and everyone's glad you came!*** *Find Colvin Run at: http://www.colvinrun.org* *or contact Kathy.Milks@ColvinRun.org*

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf ](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf)and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. **7.5 mile out and back lariat hike with 900 feet of elevation gain.** **Description:** Join us for a scenic hike along Bull Run and in the adjoining forest. We will hike on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail from Bull Run Marina heading east toward Coe Creek area. There are rolling hills but they are short and spread out. This will be a nice workout! **NOTE: This is just below a B hike rating. Make sure you are physically able for the distance and elevation gain.** **Hiking Pace:** The pace will be about 2.5 mph. There should be a porta-potty at the trailhead marina parking lot across the street from our trailhead, but you may want to schedule a pit stop on the way before you arrive. ***We will stop for snack/lunch break about halfway through.*** **Bring:** At *least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen. Most of the hike is in the forest canopy.* Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am. **Fee:** There is no parking fee. **Dogs are welcome.** NVHC Dog policy: [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) **Bull Run Occoquan Trail:** [https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-occoquan-trail](https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-occoquan-trail) Meeting Place Instructions: We are meeting at the large parking lot on the left side of Yates Ford Rd, (coming from Clifton), across from the road going down to the Marina. If you come to the Marina road or the bridge, you've gone too far. **NOTE: We park in the large parking lot across the road from the marina parking.** **GPS coordinates 38.74399, -77.38327** Optional post-hike rehydration in Clifton. Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.

We run 45 min, goal is 4-5 miles

This Saturday lets run to the National Mall! We will start at Roosevelt Island at the crosswalk in the center of parking lot. (Note there is an alternative meeting spot, it is right on the Custis trail, on the North side of Gateway Park, near Langston Blvd and Lynn St; it will be clearly marked as the meeting spot if conditions are bad on a given Saturday. Ignore this unless told otherwise. Afterwards stay for coffee, we'll wander up to Rosslyn and either meet in Compass or, if the weather is nice enough, at the Plaza opposite the Metro. Note: Photos taken during the event may end up on Instagram, Meetup, Strava and similar platforms. LOCATION: Roosevelt Island Parking Lot. Use this map to locate the parking lot (https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B053'48.2%22N+77%C2%B004'02.1%22W) [GPS: 38°53'51.99"N 77° 4'3.24"W]. To help new people find the group, please meet in the middle of the parking lot. Please meet 10 min. before the start time. Alternative location, ONLY when indicated, on the Custis trail, on the North side of Gateway Park, near Langston Blvd and Lynn St: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3SNFYSkFv9rRQed37 PACE and MILEAGE: All paces are welcome! We'll be doing an out and back route, so everyone will just turn around at the halfway time marker. We generally average from 8-12 min/miles and run for fifty minutes. But, you can run any amount of time or mileage. And if you need to walk, it's not a problem either, everyone needs to start somewhere! ROUTE: The usual route is [https://onthegomap.com/s/7r0gvj5r](https://onthegomap.com/s/7r0gvj5r). It may vary occasionally. The full circuit works out to around 8:30 min/mile for a 50 minute run. Slower paces can turn around earlier, faster paces can run farther. PARKING: Use this map (http://bit.ly/i2dWD0) to find parking in Rosslyn. There are parking lots at Roosevelt Island and above the Continental Lounge. There are also meters and pay garages. DIRECTIONS: For those of you driving to Roosevelt Island, please note that the parking lot is only accessible from the NORTHBOUND lane of GW parkway. You will see it right after the Roosevelt Bridge. METRO: Orange or blue to Rosslyn. From N. Moore St, turn left; right onto 19th St; cross Lynn St. and turn left; take the trail on the right just before the Key Bridge.

**Meet at the trail head at the Sweetgum picnic area.** Come out and join us on the newly surfaced, rolling hills of Greenbelt National Park. This run through Greenbelt National Park consists of two loop that comes out to roughly 3 miles. With 3 hills (run twice), this is a great way to get hills in before breakfast. Both walkers and runners are welcome.

We meet on Sundays at 8 a.m. for training runs on some of DC's best trails, including Rock Creek Park and the surrounding area. We typically meet at either Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, or Roosevelt Island, depending on the route. Details of the weekly schedule can be found here: https://new.vhtrc.org/runs/sip We hope you can join us for a run! All paces and levels of trail experience are welcome for these runs, which range in distance from 6 to 9 miles.

Join us as The Washington Area Roadskaters lead you on a different adventure every week, skating through and around our Nation's Capital! Freedom Plaza is currently closed for construction, so we are shifting the starting line. We will meet at the corner of E St and 14th Street NW, right outside the WWI Pershing Memorial, across from the Willard Hotel. If that area is covered with snow, skate down 14th street one block and meet in front of the Wilson Building (south of Freedom Plaza, across Pennsylvania Ave. This Sunday Big Mike will lead us on a great intermediate 14+ miles skate! Join us for a 14-mile urban excursion through DC and Northern Virginia. We’ll start by crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge, heading south through the heart of Crystal City. The route stays on the pavement as we navigate the streetscapes of Alexandria and the Del Ray neighborhood before making our return trip back to the District. It’s a solid, straightforward loop with plenty of local flavor. The Route: A 14.3-mile street-skate featuring a mix of long straights and neighborhood turns. The Bridge: Iconic views as we cross the Potomac via Memorial Bridge. Secret Adventure: I’m aiming to scout a "secret adventure" along the way—no promises, but keep your eyes open. The Details • Meeting Point: Corner of E St and 14th St NW • Meetup Time: 11:00 AM • Roll-out Time: 11:10 AM • Distance: 14.3 Miles • Elevation Gain: 500 Feet • Level: Intermediate (Moderate Urban hills and navigation required) It's going to be a great day, and you don't want to miss it! The route: https://onthegomap.com/s/22r6bvki For up to the minute details, check Facebook and Instagram. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WashingtonAreaRoadskaters/events Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareskatedc/ We hope to see you soon!

Join us for the Friday Night Fitness Skate! A 12 or 8 mile fitness skate that skates the same route each week so you will know the route and pavement hazards (since it is dark) and be able to work on form, endurance or speed as the cold wind is pushing against you! ;) The route has nice long stretches of uninterrupted skating, open roads with very few cars and the regroups are short and infrequent. We will meet at Freedom Plaza at 7pm as long as it is not raining, snowing and the pavement is not wet or icy. We’ll warm up with a skate to the Capital and then skate along the mall and museums to the National Monument. We will then head to the Lincoln Memorial through the World War II Memorial. From the Lincoln we will proceed to Haynes Point down Ohio Drive with the option to take the 3 mile Haynes Point loop (12 mile total skate) or practice stops or stunts at the regroup spot while others skate the loop (8.5 mile total skate.) The skate is mostly flat on good pavement with a small slope coming down from the Washington Monument and a 40 yard small slop from the Lincoln to Ohio Drive and a couple patches here and there. The wind can be very strong and cold especially on Ohio Drive and Haynes Point as we skate adjacent to the water. Please feel free to jazz up your gear with lights, I wear a helmet bike light (since it is pretty dark) and a set of body lights. Most of the regulars skate with lighted wheels for fun! Wear your lights so you have fun, can see and be seen! In case of bad weather, I will update this post via the comment section around 6pm on Friday. Of course, all skating is at your own risk. Hope you will come join us!

*****Short Notice***** This Saturday the weather is predicted to be nicer! Let’s take at walk Saturday morning 2/28/2026 ( last day of the month) at 10:00a. Meet at Taylor Farms Park ( all paved) 5526 E Dublin Granville Rd in the parking lot

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **Join the Columbus City Brunch Club and make new friends!** Each meetup brings together 4–6 people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to facilitate the meetup and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) We’ll share the exact location of the upcoming meetup the night before only if you have bought a ticket or membership plan. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier. \* Discover new restaurants in your city, together. \* Curated lunch venues with good food and vibe. \* If you hit it off with your group, there’s plenty of time to hang out afterwards. **Note:** RSVPs on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. The event on [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) is only a placeholder. This meetup is organized by Groupvibe, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

Columbus libraries: [https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3262835](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3262835) Location: [Knotty Pine Brewing](https://www.knottypinebrewing.net/) [Menu, scroll to the bottom](https://www.knottypinebrewing.net/menus-1) Book summary: Adunni is a fourteen-year-old Nigerian girl who knows what she wants: an education. This, her mother has told her, is the only way to get a "louding voice" -- the ability to speak for herself and decide her own future. But instead, Adunni's father sells her to be the third wife of a local man who is eager for her to bear him a son and heir. When Adunni runs away to the city, hoping to make a better life, she finds that the only other option before her is servitude to a wealthy family. As a yielding daughter, a subservient wife, and a powerless slave, Adunni is told, by words and deeds, that she is nothing. But while misfortunes might muffle her voice for a time, they cannot mute it. And when she realizes that she must stand up not only for herself, but for other girls, for the ones who came before her and were lost, and for the next girls, who will inevitably follow, she finds the resolve to speak, however she can--in a whisper, in song, in broken English--until she is heard

**History** [Slate Run Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/slate-run/), located south of Canal Winchester in Pickaway County, has roots tracing back to the early planning efforts of the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District. In 1963, Metro Parks officials identified the land along Slate Run as having strong potential for a large metropolitan park due to its expansive acreage, diverse habitats, and natural features like the stream that gave the area its name. The largest stream in the vicinity, Slate Run, flows south to northwest through a ridge, providing a logical basis for the park's designation. Between 1964 and 1968, Metro Parks acquired approximately 1,662 acres through multiple parcels, including a key 212-acre farmstead that had been continuously operated since 1805. This acquisition phase positioned Slate Run as a future major addition to the system, following the openings of other parks like Sharon Woods in 1968 and Highbanks in 1973. The park officially opened to the public in 1981, marking it as the sixth Metro Park in the district and, at the time, the largest with its substantial land holdings. From the outset, Metro Parks envisioned incorporating a living historical farm to educate visitors about 19th-century Ohio agriculture. The focal 212-acre parcel, purchased from the White family heirs in 1964, included historic structures that made it ideal for this purpose. The park's development preserved natural areas such as grasslands, wetlands, meadows, and forests while integrating interpretive elements. Upon opening, Slate Run quickly became a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Central to the park's identity is the Slate Run Living Historical Farm, which interprets life on a typical Ohio farm in the 1880s. The gothic revival farmhouse on the site was constructed in 1856 by owner Isaac Fridley and later restored by Metro Parks for historical accuracy. Visitors can explore interiors like the living room, parlor, and kitchen, where interpreters demonstrate period activities. The multi-bay barn, built in 1881 by Samuel Oman (the fourth owner), was meticulously restored with help from Amish carpenters. Heirloom animals such as Percheron horses, pigs, geese, and turkeys inhabit the farm, enhancing the immersive experience. The historical farmstead reflects a long lineage of ownership and agricultural use dating back to the early 19th century. Continuous farming on the land since 1805 made the site authentic for recreating late-19th-century practices, including grain harvesting and animal husbandry. Metro Parks focused on authenticity by restoring original buildings and introducing period-appropriate methods, such as horse-powered threshing machines from the late 1880s. The farm operates with volunteers and staff in period attire to portray daily rural life. This educational component has drawn school groups and families for decades. Today, Slate Run Metro Park spans about 1,705 acres and attracts roughly 250,000 visitors annually for its blend of natural preservation and historical interpretation. The park maintains diverse habitats supporting wildlife like nesting sandhill cranes and reintroduced northern bobwhite quail. Trails and open spaces offer opportunities for hiking and observation amid the preserved landscapes. The Living Historical Farm remains a crown jewel, continuing to teach about Ohio's agricultural heritage. Ongoing programs and restorations ensure the site's relevance for future generations. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Slate Run](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/SLR-parkmap@2x.gif). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Five Oaks, Sugar Maple, Covered Bridge, Shagbark, and Lake Trails. This will be around 4.5 to 5 miles. While Slate Run is moderately strenuous in a few places, it's generally a good place to hike and doesn't seem to wear people out. Some spots on the hike are unshaded, though, so be prepared for the possibility of some sun. I find Slate Run to be very underappreciated for the quality of its hiking. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet at the [Shady Grove Picnic Area](https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B045'30.1%22N+82%C2%B050'13.2%22W/@39.758347,-82.83701,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d39.758347!4d-82.83701?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). You can use the map pin I've provided here; it's accurate. There's a latrine at Shady Grove, but there is no running water (no water fountains). We will pass a water fountain when we get to the Buzzard's Roost Picnic Area, although I can't guarantee this fountain won't be off for the winter. I'd recommend bringing some water just in case, at least for after the hike. I'd also recommend [hiking shoes](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D972KN3W) for this park. **After the Hike** Once we're finished at Slate Run, we'll head over to [Loose Rail Brewing](https://looserailbrewing.com/) for [drinks](https://looserailbrewing.com/canal-winchester-canal-winchester-loose-rail-brewing-drink-menu) and [food](https://looserailbrewing.com/canal-winchester-canal-winchester-loose-rail-brewing-food-menu). The brewery's actual address is [37 W Waterloo St, Canal Winchester, OH 43110](https://www.google.com/maps/place/37+W+Waterloo+St,+Canal+Winchester,+OH+43110/@39.8432511,-82.8071032,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88387be3ac496d83:0x23e8ee9d9391dd6b!8m2!3d39.8432511!4d-82.8071032!16s%2Fg%2F11cp8n8x1j?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's about 10-12 minutes from Slate Run. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

🌿 The Fitness Experience 🌿 This is not just a workout—it’s a vibe. The Fitness Experience is a high-energy, feel-good outdoor fitness meetup designed for every body and every level. Whether you’re just getting started, getting back into it, or already living an active lifestyle, this experience meets you where you are and pushes you just enough to level up. Expect movement, fresh air, challenges, laughter, and real community. We sweat together, encourage each other, and stay accountable—because consistency is easier with friends! Motivation with meaning: ✨ Show up for yourself ✨ Progress over perfection ✨ Consistency creates confidence Each month, we pop up at a new scenic outdoor location—parks, waterfronts, city greenspaces, and hidden urban gems—bringing fitness to life in the most inspiring settings possible. Come solo. Bring a friend. Leave energized.