Group run schedule
When to Show Up
Sundays8:00 amWednesdays6:00 pm
ArlingtonVirginia
Trail
Virginia Happy Trails Running Club
Arlington, Virginia
Virginia Happy Trails Running Club is a dirt-trail running club based in Northern Virginia that holds weekly Sunday and Wednesday trail runs in Rock Creek Park and Great Falls National Park. The club welcomes runners of all abilities and ages, with runs requiring no sign-up and offering varying distances throughout the season.
About This Club
Virginia Happy Trails Running Club is a dirt-trail club based in Northern Virginia that takes you onto the trails of Rock Creek Park and Great Falls National Park twice a week, every week, year-round. No sign-up, no membership fee, no pace requirement. If you have been looking for a low-key way to run trails near DC without any of the gatekeeping, this is worth showing up for.
Highlights
- Free and low-key runs
- Organized races and events
- Trail guide access
- Trail work participation
Who It Suits
This club suits anyone who wants to run dirt trails regularly and is comfortable covering somewhere in the 6-to-10-mile range, whether that takes them an hour and a half or three hours. If you are not yet comfortable on that kind of distance, or if you need a road surface for an injury or training plan, this is probably not the right fit right now.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
Sunday runs go out from either Peirce Mill or Theodore Roosevelt Island in Rock Creek Park at 8:00 am, and Wednesday runs meet at Great Falls National Park at 6:00 pm. They say all paces and experience levels are welcome, and the runs are low-key.
Distances range from about 6 to 10 miles depending on the run, so check their weekly schedule at https://new.vhtrc.org/runs/sip before you go so you know which location and how far that particular day.
Distance6-9 miles, 7-10 miles
PaceAll paces and experience levels welcome; runs are low-key and open to all paces
TerrainDirt trails, Rock Creek Park trails, Great Falls Park trails
Your First Run
Just show up at the right meeting spot for that day - Sundays it's Peirce Mill or Theodore Roosevelt Island, Wednesdays it's Great Falls - no registration, no form to fill out, no one expecting your name in advance.
The runs are described as low-key and open to all paces, so showing up slower than everyone else is not a reason to stay home. Going alone is normal here; you will be on trails with people who came for the same reason you did.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in Arlington
12 upcoming races in Arlington. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sun, Aug 9, 2026Family Night at the Track and Meet of Miles Arlington, VAFreeRegister Sat, Aug 22, 2026DLS 5k & 1-Mile for Lewy Body Dementia Arlington, VAFrom $20Details Tue, Aug 25, 20262026 NOVA Running Club 5K Arlington, VAFrom $30Details
See all Arlington races
Common Questions About Virginia Happy Trails Running Club
Do I have to be a member or pay anything to run with them?
No membership is required to join the weekly runs, and they describe the runs as free. You can just show up.
How do I know which location to go to on a given Sunday?
Sunday runs alternate between Peirce Mill and Theodore Roosevelt Island in Rock Creek Park. Check the weekly schedule at https://new.vhtrc.org/runs/sip before you head out so you go to the right spot.
Do they run in winter or when the weather is bad?
They run year-round, so the expectation is that the group goes out regardless of season. Dress for the conditions and check their schedule page if you are unsure about a specific day.
Is 6 to 10 miles every run, or can I do less?
The distances they describe for their runs fall in the 6-to-10-mile range. They do not mention shorter options, so if that distance is beyond where you are right now, it is worth reaching out to them directly before you make the drive.
Do they do anything beyond the weekly runs?
Yes, they also organize races and events including fat ass runs, ultramarathon races, and multi-day running events throughout the year. The weekly runs are just the regular entry point.
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.