Shopping for a Group Run

The legacy of the solitary runner is dead. Long live the group run. The explosion in training groups, running clubs and big races has proven that runners increasingly love hoofing it with others. But if you're a runner who has yet to find your pack, a group of potential running partners may be no farther away than your local running store.

Most running stores these days aren't just places to buy running gear. Many have emerged as a great meeting place or even a club for the local running community. These stores usually offer group weekend runs of various distances and paces. Often runs are part of an organized training program, but sometimes they are just for the camaraderie.

It doesn't hurt that, in addition to providing good company and a source of expert advice, many of these stores also offer discounts on inventory to group participants. Whether you're a long-time resident, new to town or just passing through, make the most out of your run by checking out one of these options:

Charm City Run Bel Aire, Md.

Race training programs, tempo and track workouts on Tues., 6:30 p.m. Long runs on Sat., 8:00 a.m. Track, trail or neighborhood roads. www.charmcityrun.com

Charm City Run Timonium, Md.

Tues., 6:30p.m.; Thurs., 6:30 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m. Starts at store or other locations in North Baltimore. Tues. and Thurs. are tempo and track workouts. Sat. runs are 10-20 miles. www.charmcityrun.com

Falls Road Running Store, Baltimore, Md.

Mon., 6:30 p.m. Wooded trails, various distances. www.baltimorerunning.com

Feet First, Columbia, Md.

Sat., 7 a.m., up to 10 miles. Various paces, hilly road course with a water stop. www.feetfirstsports.com

Fleet Feet Annapolis, Md.

Tues., 6:30 p.m. Sat., 8:30 a.m., 4-5 miles. Various neighborhood routes. Vendors provide sponsorship for some runs with giveaways and incentives, special events. www.fleetfeetannapolis.com

Fleet Feet Baltimore

Tues. and Thurs., 6:30 p.m. Varying distances through quiet neighborhoods, rolling hills. Some runs sponsored by vendors with food following the run along with free gifts. www.fleetfeetbaltimore.com

Fleet Feet DC

Sun., 9 a.m., 5 miles. Mix of neighborhoods, parks, hilly, flat. Different course each week; marathon training also available. www.fleetfeetdc.com

Fleet Feet Gaithersburg, Md.

Thurs., 6:30 p.m., 3.5 to 5 miles. Various paces through neighborhoods with some hills. Food, giveaways, special events and seminars offered at selected events. Race training programs also available for a fee. www.fleetfeetgaithersburg.com

Georgetown Running Company, D.C.

Weds., 6:15 p.m. Sat., 8:30 a.m. On the C&O canal. Store discounts offered. www.therunningcompany.net/georgetown.html

Gotta Run, Arlington, Va.

Weds. nights at 7 p.m., 5 miles, 8 - 9 min pace. 10% store discount for participants. www.gottarunshop.com 

Hudson Trail Outfitters DC 

Every Tues. night at 6:30pm, 3-5 miles, varying pace down the Capital Crescent Trail.  Meet at 5600 Little Falls Parkway Washington Episcopal School on River Road and the Capital Crescent Trail, park on the side of the school.  Become a regular and get discounts with your Run Punch Card. www.hudsontrail.com

Hudson Trail Outfitters Rockville, MD

Every Tues. night at 6:30pm, 3-5 miles, varying pace winding through back neighborhoods and Wooten Parkway.  Meet at the Starbucks in Wintergreen Plaza (865 Rockville Pike).  Become a regular and get discounts with your Run Punch Card.

Hudson Trail Outfitters Pentagon Row, VA 

Every Tues. night at 6:30pm, 3-5 miles, varying pace around the Pentagon and the monuments.  Meet at the Pentagon Row Hudson Trail Outfitters. Become a regular and get discounts with your Run Punch Card. 

Pacers, Alexandria, Va., Arlington, Va., Silver Spring Md.

Tues. and Thurs., 7 p.m. at all locations. Sat., long runs from the Alexandria, Va. store. Personal coaching available for a fee. www.runpacers.com

Potomac River Running Store, Ashburn, Va.

Tues., 6:30 p.m., 6 miles. Sat., long runs 7:30 a.m. in winter, 6:30 a.m. in summer. Flat or gentle hills on the W&OD Trail, www.potomacriverrunning.com

Road Runner Running Store, Richmond, Va. 

Weds., 5:45 p.m., 4-10 miles. Various routes. Call first. 804.353.8365, www.roadrunnerstore.com

Run Sports Shop, Warrenton Va.

Mid-March through fall. Tues. on the Greenway Bike Path in old town Warrenton, 6:30 p.m., 3-6 miles runs. Speed work Thurs. at or near the Fauquier High School track. Store discounts and store-sponsored races, personal coaching also available for a fee.

Runner Bill's, Midlothian Va.

Tues. and Weds., 7 p.m., 5-6 miles. Sat., 8 a.m., 5-10-plus miles, track and neighborhood roads, rolling hills. Some runs include giveaways and refreshments. www.runner bill.com

Runners' Retreat, Winchester Va.

Group runs starting in March. www.runnersretreat.com

The Runners Corner, Harrisonburg, Va.

Tues., 5:30, 6-7 miles. Thurs. track workouts from spring through summer. 540-433-6323