We strive to meet the needs of individual runners and community organizations engaged in running and fitness.
We are one of the largest, most active running clubs in the nation, known for our low-key but high-quality club races, training runs, special events, and other activities. We offer programs and opportunities for all types of runners, from newcomers to experienced. Whether your goal is to run a marathon or just to get into shape, you’ll find other club members who share your interests.
MCRRC is affiliated with the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). Our club members are encouraged to participate in the Maryland RRCA Grand Prix racing series, and details can be found on the Maryland RRCA website.
The Montgomery County Road Runners Club (MCRRC), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is the leading authority on running events and programs in Montgomery County, Maryland. MCRRC was incorporated as the Upper Montgomery County Road Runners Club (MCRRC) in February, 1978, with “the prime object of the association being the promotion and encouragement of long distance running.”
Today, MCRRC provides leadership and support to more than 3,000 members. We offer training programs that range from beginning 5K to marathon distance, serving a wide runner profile from run/walkers to endurance athletes. Our club is proudly represented throughout the DC-MD-VA area by a premier race team.
Our Vision
MCRRC will be recognized nationally as an exemplary organization through our leadership, policies, and offerings. We will elevate the reputation of running as a port by fostering a positive profile of runners and demonstrating excellence in our interactions with others. We will continue to promotion the long-term stability of running as a sport and as an affordable form of exercise.
Our Values
Our tag line reads “A Place for Every Pace.” MCRRC prides ourselves on inclusivity, diversity and equity. Our Values Statement, which was adopted in 2021, guides our strategic planning as well as our tactical decision-making. There are three areas of focus expressed in our Values Statement — Our Club, Our Community, and Our Members:
Our Club
- We believe that MCRRC is a place for every pace ‐ runners, walkers, and run/walkers. We welcome people of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. We value healthy lifestyles through movement.
- We value the strength of the Montgomery County Road Runners Club as a volunteer-led organization. At the same time, we acknowledge that volunteering at club events presents an additional burden to marginalized and vulnerable groups.
- We believe that running and fitness activities should occur in a welcoming environment to all, be geographically diverse, and financially affordable. We strive to identify physically accessible environments.
Our Community
- We are committed to equity, inclusivity and anti‐discrimination. We embrace all communities of age, ethnicity, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socio‐economic status. We aspire to identify opportunities for members with disabilities.
- We strive to make all components of membership reflective of the communities within Montgomery County, one of the most diverse in the nation.
- We recognize the indigenous and formerly enslaved peoples who were displaced from or trafficked to this land. In addition, we acknowledge the land on which we run by showing our gratitude and respect for the trails and roads.
Our Members
- We value all members for their unique perspectives and gifts, and aspire to earn their trust by listening, engaging, and appreciating their contributions.
- We encourage respectful dialogue among and within the interconnected communities and partners to ensure all members can safely pursue the joy of running.
- Although each member has a different goal, we celebrate each other’s achievements and learn from one another’s experiences.
View MCRRC’s Strategic Direction document (updated May 2020).
Club Leadership
Brian started running in 2007 as a way to get in shape. He quickly fell in love with everything about it – especially the community aspect. Brian has been a member of MCRRC since moving to Montgomery County in 2013, and most often you can find him at the Wednesday night track workouts, Ken-Gar Sunday’s as the long run coordinator, pub runs, or at one of the many MCRRC road or cross-country races – running or volunteering. He is also a member of the club’s competitive racing team, trying to balance his love of racing with training properly for distances from 1 mile to the marathon.
Ashish started running in 2007 with the Cherry Blossom 10M, and from there on has been running a marathon a year (roughly). He realized how much he depends on others to train and run, and particularly appreciates MCRRC and our FTM program. Ashish has volunteered for Pikes Peek and Parks Half consistently over the last decade. More recently he has been running trails, which he capped with the Stone Mill 50M in the time of COVID. Other than running, he often geeks out on running technology such as power meters, run analytics, road and indoor cycling.
Sherene joined MCRRC in 2014 because she wanted to try training with a group. After spending a summer running through the heat, hills, and humidity with the Experienced Marathon Program (XMP), she was hooked. Since then, she’s run with several MCRRC training programs, including the former Advanced Marathon Training (AMT) and Winter Trail Program. She is also a regular at the Thursday Morning Kemp Mill runs. When not running, Sherene works as an attorney at a public health agency. She lives in Silver Spring with her husband, son, and dog, Elvis.
Elliott is an attorney practicing in Montgomery County, MD for more than thirty years. His practice encompasses family law and domestic relations, personal injury, medical negligence, and wills and estates. He practices with one of his sons at Alman & Alman, LLC. Elliott has been Chair of the Family Law Section of the American Association for Justice and served on their Leadership Council. He has been named on the “Super Lawyer” list for Family Law in Maryland and the District of Columbia and has appeared on WUSA Channel 9. Elliott has devoted a significant amount of time to community, non-profit, and charitable causes. He was a member of the Board of On Our Own of Montgomery County, which assisted individuals with mental health challenges and served on the Board of Advisors of Critters for the Cure, an organization striving to improve the experience and quality of life for women battling breast and gynecological cancers. Elliott was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the California Breast Cancer Research Program in 2009 for his efforts to raise research funds for running the San Francisco Marathon. He has also been an Advisor to the Olney Farmers and Artists Market. Elliott is an avid runner and has completed twenty marathons. He has been a pace group coach for the FTM Program for 17 years.
Jim joined MCRRC in 2012 when he moved to the DC area. Jim loves the running community and all of the supportive camaraderie that comes with it. Jim and his wife Colleen are both active in the club taking part in many races as runners or volunteers, along with participating in some of the training programs and free drop in runs that the club offers. In fact, they have met many friends through these activities with the club. Jim is also on the club’s competitive racing team and is trying to defy age by attempting to set PRs as he gets older.
Jane began running as a baby lawyer at a government agency. She fell in love with the sport and has been a member of MCRRC since 2011. Her first experience with the club was with the Winter Half Marathon Program. Since then, she has run with Speed Development, the First Time Marathon Program, the former Spring Intro to Trails, Winter Trails, the former Advanced Winter Marathon Training (AMT), and the Experienced Marathon Program (XMP). Jane is an RRCA-certified running coach and when she is not running around Montgomery County, she is working as an attorney in the asset management industry. Jane lives in Chevy Chase with her husband, sons Jonah and Noah, daughter Ella, and her best canine running buddy, Dasher.
A native of Montgomery County and a 2nd-generation Washingtonian, Deb began running in 1985 for fun and entered her first 10K (the Turkey Chase) in 1991. A few years later, she bet a co-worker that she could complete a marathon, which she did in 1998 – the Marine Corp Marathon. Deb is still waiting to collect her winnings. After a hiatus from running in 2004 to get married and start a family, Deb was certified to instruct spin classes before returning to running in the 2011 Turkey Chase. After falling in love with running all over again, she decided to train for the Rock n’ Roll Half-Marathon in DC. Following a dare from her husband to train for another marathon, Deb found MCRRC and the First Time Marathon Program. Since then, she has trained with FTM, XMP, Speed Development, the Winter Half AND Marathon programs. Deb has completed 23 marathons including 9 Marine Corps Marathons, is an RRCA Level-1 Certified Coach, and a coach for Girls on the Run. Her favorite race is the Rehoboth Marathon, as Delaware is her second home. Deb enjoys the social aspects of running and loves that the club draws in members from all over the country and from all walks of life. When not running and listening to others’ stories, Deb is a mortgage lender and spends her time chasing after her husband, teenaged daughters, and crazy Labrador retrievers.
Shlomo joined MCRRC and the competitive racing team in the spring of 2015 after the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run. As much as he enjoys running fast and far, he most loves running with others and sharing his miles and experiences. You can typically find Shlomo at the Thursday Morning Kemp Mill runs, along Sligo Creek, and running with friends at the track. Occasionally he ventures out and explores the trails in the Rock Creek corridor or out in Harpers Ferry, WV. Outside of running you can find him in the kitchen (primarily baking), reading outdoor adventure, and spending time with his wife, Melanie. As a member of the Board, Shlomo aims to increase youth running in the Silver Spring area.
Libby joined MCRRC in 2021 when she moved with her husband to the DC area. Libby fell in love with running when she was in college in Boston and has not stopped since. She enjoys the community aspect of MCRRC and credits the club for forming new lifelong friendships. Since joining, she’s participated in several training programs including Speed Development and the First Time Marathon Program (FTM) and volunteered at a few races. She is currently coaching the Winter Marathon Program (WMT) and will also be coaching with FTM this summer. Her professional background is in communications, and she spent several years working as a local newspaper reporter in a variety of small towns across the country. When she’s not out running with friends from the club, she can be found walking her two rescue dogs on the Sligo trail.