THE TWELFTH ANDIAMO W&OD 45 MILE RUN
INSTRUCTIONS

October 14, 2006
Start: 7:30 am in Purcellville, VA
Finish by 6:30 pm in Arlington, VA

WELCOME to the Andiamo run. Here is some more information to help you in your personal attempt to run the entire length of the W&OD bike path. This is primarily an unsupported run. Don't expect much aid from us. Part of the challenge of the Andiamo is to take care of yourself out there. You are never far from civilization or a convenience store.

Supply Points

[NOTICE: This list has not been checked in a while. Additionally, the park has moved most of the mileposts west of their former location. There is probably more aid out there, rather than less, but don't count on what is below to be precisely accurate.]

There is plenty of food and water along the trail to keep you going. Here is a list of some of the points you can obtain aid. There are some other places besides these. The distances are approximate in several cases. There are mile posts on the trail every half mile. You pass the first mile post (45.5 miles) right after the start.

Location Run Miles Mile Post Notes
Clark's Gap 7 38 Manned Aid Station--H2O, Coke, Cookies, Crackers, Electrolyte
Leesburg 11 34 Manned Aid Station--same as above
Smith's Switch 19 26 Water fountain (vending machines are gone)
Herndon Station 24 21.3 7-Eleven
Herndon Station 25 20 Convenience Store on left
Reston 27 18 7-Eleven
Warner Plumbing 28.5 16.5 Water fountain on left (just before going under Dulles Access Road)
Vienna 33 12 See Note below
Cedar Lane 34.8 10.2 Possible Manned Aid Station (Station closes at 2:30 pm)
Route 7--Falls Church 38 7 After bridge--H2O on left, 7-Eleven on right (last easy food)
At base of pedestrian bridge to Potomac Street 40 4.9 Unmanned cache of coke, crackers, and, cookies. Look for sign, "Potomac Street"
Custis Tr. Cutoff 41 4 Water fountain
Bluemont Park 42 3 Water fountain and toilets (on right and left--these are no longer on the main trail. You have to take the "old" trail that is south of the stream to get aid here. Might want to just go to Long Branch.)
Long Branch 43 2 Water fountain and toilets (on right)
We are not promising the aid in yellow!

Note: It's 11 miles from the Reston 7-Eleven and the Route 7 7-Eleven. Vienna is an important place to get food. Here is what you will see in Vienna. You will first come to the old train station. There is a drinking fountain around the side after you pass it. Then you pass the caboose, cross a street, and there is the Freeman House on the left. You can get cold drinks there. You next cross Route 123 (Maple Avenue). There is a Fresh Fields on the left.  Also, I may be able to convince someone to run an aid station at Cedar Lane that is about a mile or so past 123.

If you have a handler, the following points are good meeting places: Ashburn (take Route 641 south from Route 7), on Route 625 after Route 28 (21+ mi.--it's a long walk to the trail from Route 28 itself), Hunter Mill Road (31 mi.--need a real good map to find), on the first street East of Gallows Road (36 mi.), and the intersection of Lee Highway and I-66 (exit 69--40 mi.). There may be light support by bike on the last third of the course.

Rules:

1. You must be off the trail at sunset. This is the Park's rule and it's wise. Bike riders will not see you and will run you over. CALL MY HOUSE AT 703-534-8171 TO REPORT THAT YOU HAVE WITHDRAWN. If you drop out of the run before the finish, you will be responsible for your transportation. All runners should carry at least $10.

2. Run to the right and, except early in the morning, don't run two abreast.

3. Obey all traffic signs and signals. There are several road crossings. Wait for the light to change--the rest will do you good.

4. PLEASE BE QUIET AT THE START AREA. People live around there and will be asleep. Don't yell greetings to other runners. There is usually a porta john at the start. DON'T LET THE DOOR SLAM!

5. There are no prizes or awards but there is an Andiamo momento for all finishers. Light food and refreshments at the finish.

Directions to Finish: If southbound on I-395 (going from DC) take Exit 7 for Glebe Road/Shirlington. Take the Shirlington turn which is the second turn off the exit. At the signal, turn right and the finish is at the next signal (Shirlington Road and Four Mile Run Drive). If northbound on I-395 (heading toward DC) take Exit 6 (Shirlington). The finish, like the start, is understated--look for the brown wooden sign.

Directions to Start: Take Route 7 west past Leesburg, or take the Dulles Toll Road to the Greenway to Route 7 at Leesburg. As you approach Purcellville take Business 7 into town (leave 7 at route 287). Go west through Purcellville on Main Street. Turn right on 21st Street (route 690)(look for flashing yellow light). The trailhead (and run start) is about two blocks down on the right. PARK ON THE RIGHT, NOT IN THE CONDO PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET.

Schedule: The ride from the finish to the start leaves Shirlington at 6:15 am. We will wait 5 minutes for you and leave for sure at 6:20. You might want to park in the theater parking lot in Shirlington, but walk over to the W&OD finish to meet the ride. Remember, we provide no ride after the race back to the start. (Check out the map on the Purcellville site.) Don't leave your car there unless you have your own way to pick it up! We do not provide transportation back to the start after the run.

Questions? E-mail me at anstr@att.net or call me at 703-534-8171. See you there!

Anstr Davidson

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