Health  |  News & Politics

PHOTOS: The 19 Biggest Moments in DC’s Running History

Know your DC running trivia? In 1994, Oprah finished the Marine Corps Marathon—which she had vowed to run before turning 40.

How well do you know your DC running trivia? Test your knowledge below.

1890s

Despite being asthmatic, President Theodore Roosevelt jogs after work in Rock Creek Park before heading to dinner parties.

U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt shortly before the Oct. 14 assassination attempt by John F. Schrank. Photograph via Flickr Commons project, 2008.
U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt shortly before the Oct. 14 assassination attempt by John F. Schrank. Photograph via Flickr Commons project, 2008.

1936

Running is recommended in US Army physical training, described as “invaluable in the development of endurance and organic vigor.”

Timeline photograph by National Archives/LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images.

1943

As women join in World War II efforts, Uncle Sam drafts fitness requirements, including running at a “dog trot” pace for a set distance.

Photograph by National Archives/LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images.
Photograph by National Archives/LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images.

1963

President John F. Kennedy establishes a 50-mile ultramarathon in Washington County, Maryland, as part of his physical-fitness initiative.

Photograph courtesy of JFK 50 Mile Memorial Run.
Photograph courtesy of JFK 50 Mile Memorial Run.

1973

On April 1, 126 runners loop around the Tidal Basin and Hains Point in the first Cherry Blossom ten-miler.

Runners in the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, 2008 National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photograph by Adam Fagen via Flickr Creative Commons.
Runners in the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, 2008 National Cherry Blossom Festival. Photograph by Adam Fagen via Flickr Creative Commons.

1976

At the inaugural Marine Corps Marathon, Arlington’s Susan Mallery finishes first for females, with a time of 2:56:33.

Photograph courtesy of Marine Corps Marathon.
Photograph courtesy of Marine Corps Marathon.

1979

President Jimmy Carter collapses from heat exhaustion 3½ miles into the Catoctin Mountain 10K near Camp David.

Photograph by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images.
Photograph by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images.

1981

The first annual ACLI Capital Challenge pits the legislative, judicial, executive branches and the press against one another.

Photograph courtesy of Capital Challenge, by J. David Ake/AFP/Getty Images.
Photograph courtesy of Capital Challenge, by J. David Ake/AFP/Getty Images.

1984

Jan and Phil Fenty open Fleet Feet, the first local running store, and hire their three sons—including future DC mayor Adrian.

Photograph by Rosa Cartagena.
Photograph by Rosa Cartagena.

1989

Lanham resident Jim Hage’s Marine Corps Marathon win, his second, makes him the first back-to-back men’s champion.

Photograph courtesy of Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mtngirl9999/">mtngirl9999</a>.
Photograph by mtngirl999 via Flickr Creative Commons.

1993

President Bill Clinton uses $30,000 in private donations to finance a quarter-mile running track on the South Lawn of the White House.

Photograph by J. David Ake/AFP/Getty Images.
Photograph by J. David Ake/AFP/Getty Images.

1994

After vowing to run a marathon before turning 40, Oprah Winfrey finishes the Marine Corps in 4:29:15—a media bonanza.

Photograph courtesy of Marine Corps Marathon.
Photograph courtesy of Marine Corps Marathon.

2001

President George W. Bush, who said running helped him quit drinking and smoking, installs a folding treadmill on Air Force One.

President Bush jogs in Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2001. Photograph by AP Photo/Ron Edmonds.
President Bush jogs in Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2001. Photograph by AP Photo/Ron Edmonds.

2006

The Washington Nationals debut the Presidents Race, starting another tradition: Teddy losing every time to Abe, George, or Tom.

Photograph courtesy of Marine Corps Marathon.
Photograph courtesy of Marine Corps Marathon.

2009

Adams Morgan chuckles as Paul Rudd goes on a hilarious beer run in the neighborhood while filming How Do You Know.

Photograph by Tom Williams/Roll Call/Getty Images.
Photograph by Tom Williams/Roll Call/Getty Images.

2012

After more than 500 tries, Teddy wins the Presidents Race at the end of a thrilling season marked by the Nats’ first playoff appearance.

Photograph by Brandon Todd/Splash News.
Photograph by Brandon Todd/Splash News.

2012

CIA director David Petraeus resigns. His mistress, Paula Broadwell, said their relationship was founded on running together overseas.

Photograph by Diamond Images/Getty Images.
Photograph by Diamond Images/Getty Images.

2015

The Marine Corps Marathon discovers a pattern of suspicious splits and mat times for Gregory Price of DC, leading to a lifetime ban.

Photograph by MarathonFoto.
Photograph by MarathonFoto.

2017

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are frequently spotted running around their Kalorama neighborhood, Secret Service in tow.

Photograph by AKED/DUNKIND/BACKGRID.
Photograph by AKED/DUNKIND/BACKGRID.

This article appeared in the June 2018 issue ofWashingtonian.

Kim Olsen

Kim Olsen ([email protected]) is a freelance writer in Alexandria.