sports

From a press release:

Organizers of the first 5K race to be held on the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) in Northeast DC on Saturday, May 14 announced today that Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), with funding support from Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States, will provide free adult registration to the first 50 community members residing in Edgewood, Eckington, Brookland and all Ward 5 neighborhoods. By raising awareness about the trail and promoting its use, the mission of this annual event is to further integrate the Metropolitan Branch Trail into building strong and thriving communities.

DC Road Runners Club, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is co-convening the race, which will be held on a USATF-Certified course along the the newly paved portion of the MBT, starting at S Street NE and 4thStreet NE and the trail entrance. Early registration fee of $20 ends April 15, and then increases to $25. To register for the MBT 5K Run/Walk as a runner, volunteer or sponsor, go to: www.gometbranch.com.

Free registration will be available to the first 50 adults within Ward 5 on a first-come first-served basis. If runners are able to pay the registration fee, please consider contributing to this community event in order to allow for need-based free registration. Contact Kelly Pack to inquire about free registration: 202.974.5148 or [email protected].

I’m exhausted just reading this – good luck to all the runners! From DDOT:

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has provided the following information about the SunTrust National Marathon and Half Marathon, which are scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

In order to facilitate these events there will be no vehicular traffic allowed along the routes of the races. The races are scheduled to begin at approximately 7:00 am; however some street closures will begin as early as 6:00 am. All streets affected by these events are expected to be reopened at approximately 1:30 pm, depending on prevailing conditions. Motorists should expect delays during the races.

Citizens who have issues to be resolved or questions regarding traffic access during the races should call (202) 727-9099 or go to www.nationalmarathon.com.

The marathons will form in front of RFK Stadium. The route of the marathon is as follows:

· Start on 22nd Street NE at E. Capitol Street SE
· West on C Street NE
· West on North Carolina Avenue NE
· South on 13th Street SE at Lincoln Circle
· West on E. Capitol Street SE
· North on 11th Street SE
· West on E. Capitol Street NE
· North on 2nd Street NE
· West on Massachusetts Avenue NE
· West onto outer lane of Columbus Circle NE
· West on E Street NE
· South on 3rd Street NW
· West on Constitution Avenue NE
· West on Pennsylvania Avenue NW
· West on Constitution Avenue NW
· (turnaround) East on Constitution Avenue NW at 20th Street NW
· North on 18th Street NW
· North/Northwest on Connecticut Avenue NW
· North on Columbia Road NW
· East on Harvard Street NW
· South on 5th Street NW
· East on Bryant Street NW
· South on N. Capitol Street NW
· East on K Street NE
· South on 4th Street NE
· East on H Street NE
· South on 13th Street NE
· East on Constitution Avenue NE
· East on North Carolina Ave NE
· Merge onto C ST NE
· South onto 22nd ST NE
· West into RFK LOT 3 – Finish

HALF MARATHON CONCLUDES

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Photo by PoPville flickr user mosley.brian

From a press release:

Washington, D.C. – With a fierce double-header, the DC Rollergirls will kick off the final stretch of their fifth season on Sunday, March 27.The first bout will feature the DC Rollergirls All-Stars versus Maine Roller Derby’s Port Authorities. In the second bout, the DC DemonCats will square off against Scare Force One.

Halftime entertainment will feature the toe-tapping rhythms of the O’Neill-James Irish Dancers. During the bout, fans will have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction featuring items such as Washington Capitals tickets, and purchase delicious goodies at our wildly popular bake sale.

Doors will open at 3 p.m.; the action stars at 4 p.m. Tickets are just $12 for ages 12 and up, $6 for children 6 to 11 and free for kids 5 and under. They are available in advance through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) or at the door on bout day. Individuals with a valid military I.D. receive admission for only $10 at the door.

The D.C. Armory is located at 2001 East Capitol Street SE in Washington. Secure lot parking is available for $7 in Lot 3. In addition, the Armory is adjacent to the Stadium-Armory Metro Station on the Blue and Orange lines.

Photo by flickr user drgandy

As a childhood Yankees fan it gives me no pleasure to post the photo above but this is a pretty cool thing he’s doing. So I’ll grudgingly give him props. From a DPR Press release:

Mayor Vincent C. Gray, the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), city officials and diplomats will host eight-time All Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner, Major League pitcher Pedro Martinez on Thursday, March 24th at 3:00pm. Mr. Martinez will greet students from area schools and conduct a mini-clinic. The event will take place at Maury Wills Field, 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW.

While in the District, Mr. Martinez will also attend the unveiling of a portrait of himself that has been acquired by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. His will be the first image of a Major League Baseball pitcher in the Gallery’s collection, and he is the youngest baseball player included in the collection. Pedro achieved another important milestone in his career in 2006 when became an American citizen.

* In case of rain, the event will be held at Cardozo Gym on 1300 Clifford Street, NW.

From an email:

Washington Nationals Hold Auditions for 2011 GEICO Racing Presidents

WHAT: Beginning this week, the Washington Nationals will give fans the opportunity to run in the footsteps of giants as a GEICO Racing President. The team is now accepting applications and will hold auditions during the Presidents Day weekend to fill the shoes of Abe, George, Tom and Teddy for the 2011 baseball season.

To be eligible, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

– Measure between 5’7” and 6’6” in height
– Ability to run from center field to home plate in 40 seconds (approx. 200 yards)
– Ability to wear a costume weighing approx. 45 lbs for several hours
– Available for at least 35 Nationals home games

Racing hopefuls will have until Friday, February 11 to submit their cover letter, resume and photo to [email protected]. Once these materials are received, applicants will be contacted and required to answer six mascot-related questions.

Select candidates will then be invited to Nationals Park on Saturday, February 19, 2011, where they will be required to perform a freestyle dance, run a 40-yard dash and run two Presidents Races from center field to the home dugout. They will also be interviewed by the Game Operations panel.

This tryout is by invitation only and is not open to the public. Tryouts will take place regardless of weather conditions. For more information, visit nationals.com/racingpresidents.

Developed in 2006, the four GEICO Racing Presidents (Abe, George, Tom and Teddy) are 12-foot oversized mascots who race during the fourth inning of every Nationals home game. The popular figures can be seen promoting the team and its community efforts at Nationals Park, the District and around the Washington region. In 2010, all four Racing Presidents visited the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll and Fourth of July celebrations and made guest appearances in The Washington Ballet production of Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker at the historic Warner Theatre.

WHEN: Saturday, February 19, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Nationals Park – 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003

Photo by PoPville flickr user mosley.brian

I am looking for a local roller rink that is metro accessible. I’m about to start training for the roller derby try outs and I need some practice, bad. I live in the U Street neighborhood and would love to find an option that doesn’t require a zipcar where I can rent some gear and skates. Do you or your readers have any ideas?

Please help!”

Anyone know of a local roller rink?

“Dear PoP,

I would like to actually try and keep my New Year’s resolution this year and work out more. My only issue is that I find the gyms to be too expensive, and generally not my thing. I like to walk and run outdoors and use my bike, however I would like to take classes as well. I would also like to support local spots in my neighborhood that offer dance, yoga and exercise classes. Is it possible for you to poll your readers to see if there are great places in the Park View/Columbia Heights/Petworth areas that offer classes?”

I just got a flier from the YMCA. Anyone ever take classes there? Or elsewhere?