Group run schedule
When to Show Up
Tuesdayevenings for coached track workoutsThursdayevenings for tempo runsExact start times not specified on main club site
AlexandriaVirginia
Community
Northern Virginia Running Club
Alexandria, Virginia
Northern Virginia Running Club (NOVA) is a professionally coached running team based in Northern Virginia with 250 members, offering two weekly structured practices in Arlington: Tuesday evening track workouts and Thursday evening tempo runs led by Head Coach Jerry Alexander. The club welcomes runners of all levels and abilities, emphasizing healthy training with a focus on racing while balancing full professional and personal lives.
About This Club
Northern Virginia Running Club (NOVA) is a 250-member, professionally coached training team running twice a week out of Arlington - Tuesday track workouts and Thursday tempo runs, both led by Head Coach Jerry Alexander. It is built around structured training and racing, so if you want a coach calling the workout rather than a casual social jog, this is the setup for it. Membership is required, and the club says it welcomes runners of all levels.
Highlights
- Monday night team newsletter
- Tuesday night coached track workouts
- Thursday night tempo runs
- Monthly happy hours
- Opportunities to race with the NOVA team
- Special events throughout the year
Who It Suits
This suits runners who want a real training plan, a consistent coach, and the motivation of racing with a team - even if they are balancing that against a full work and family schedule. If you are looking for a no-commitment, drop-in group run with zero structure, the membership fee and twice-weekly coached format will feel like more than you need.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
Tuesdays are coached track workouts at the Arlington track; Thursdays are tempo runs on road routes in Arlington. Both sessions are led by Coach Jerry Alexander, so you are getting instruction and structure, not just a group to run alongside. The club lists members across a wide range of abilities, but exact pace groupings are not published - contact them before your first session so you know where you fit.
PaceProfessionally coached team with members across a wide range of abilities; specific pace ranges not listed.
TerrainTrack, Road
Post-runMonthly happy hours for members; special events throughout the year including trail cleanup, summer picnic, NOVA 5K, holiday lights run, end-of-year team party and awards ceremony.
Your First Run
Membership is required before you show up, so the first practical step is joining online - individual membership runs $50 for the year. Once you are in, workouts are at the Arlington track on Tuesdays and tempo routes on Thursdays; the club does not publish exact start times on their main site, so check their website or social media for the current schedule before you head out.
Showing up to a coached track workout solo is less awkward than it sounds - there is a coach running the session, which gives the evening a defined structure from the moment you arrive. The club says it welcomes runners of all levels, and a coached environment generally means the workout is scaled rather than everyone hammering the same pace.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in Alexandria
8 upcoming races in Alexandria. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sat, Sep 5, 20262026 Good Shepherd Catholic Church International Festival 5K & Fun Run Alexandria, VAFrom $20Details Sun, Sep 13, 2026Healthy Kids Running Series Fall 2026 - Alexandria, VA Alexandria, VAFrom $45Details Sun, Sep 27, 2026RUN! GEEK! RUN! 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run Alexandria, VAFrom $25Details
See all Alexandria races
Common Questions About Northern Virginia Running Club
Do I have to pay to try it out first?
Membership is required to participate, so there is no free trial built in. Individual membership is $50 for one year or $95 for two years; family membership is $75 for one year or $140 for two years.
What time do the Tuesday and Thursday workouts start?
The club lists Tuesday evenings for track and Thursday evenings for tempo runs, but exact start times are not published on their main site. Check their website or social media for current times before you go.
I am not a competitive racer - is this still a fit?
The club describes itself as racing-focused and emphasizes healthy training with an eye toward competition, so racing is a real part of the culture here. That said, they say they welcome runners of all levels and abilities, so you do not have to be chasing a PR to join - but you should be comfortable with structured, coach-led workouts.
Is there anything beyond the two weekly workouts?
Members get a Monday night team newsletter, monthly happy hours, and a calendar of special events including a trail cleanup, summer picnic, the NOVA 5K, a holiday lights run, and an end-of-year party with awards.
Where exactly do I go for the first workout?
Track workouts are at the Arlington track and tempo runs follow routes in Arlington. The club's mailing address is in Alexandria (PO Box 3111, 3682 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302), but the specific meeting spots for each session are not detailed publicly - reach out to the club directly after joining to confirm the exact location.
Where this comes from: Club details come from each club’s own channels (their site, Meetup, Strava and social posts) and are checked by hand. Group runs move, so confirm the meeting spot on the club’s latest post before you head out. Last updated July 2026.