Crit races are short form, closed circuit races that have long been popular in the cycling world. The circuit generally feature lots of corners and tight turns and are anywhere from a half mile to a mile long. The races are chaotic and high energy, which helps build the excitement of the crowds watching on the sidelines.

Instead of everyone racing at once, runners at the D.C. Crit will be broken up into small sections/heats of roughly 50-100 runners. Runners will be placed in sections based on goal times. It’s almost like a track meet, but instead of racing on a track you’ll be competing on a closed loop course with lots of twists and turns. The small sections also allow everyone at the Crit to be a racer and a fan.

The races will start and finish in front of Lost Generation Brewing Company ( 327 S St NE, Washington, DC) in the Eckington neighborhood. Runners will be required to check-in for their races at the brewery before they compete.

Yes! All registered runners will get a Zero Cap and pair of performance socks from On.

The course will be roughly 1/2 mile long and will take place on the streets in front of and behind the Brewery and along the Metropolitan Branch Trail. The course is very flat and fast, but there will be several hairpins and tight turns on every lap. The course is designed to be narrow and spectator friendly.