No Boys Allowed: Women Set the Pace

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MASSAGES AND CATERED LUNCHES make for post-race perks, but just the chance to run with other women can also be a treat. And you can do that on a regular basis with the Washington RunHers (Washingtonrunhers.org), a group that's been dashing around D.C. since 1976.

Club treasurer Susan Betts, 37, who joined in 2001 as a beginner, was glad to have the all-female company. "It was less intimidating. When you're just starting out with something, you want it to be welcoming," she says. "I'm currently a member of a co-ed club as well, but it took me a while to do that."

A range of runners, from rookies to seasoned sprinters, are drawn to the club's offerings, including a summer track program, a winter maintenance program and weekly long runs. Board member Patricia Cuff, 43, appreciates the targeted information sessions, such as one about preventing injuries that are common in women. Plus, unlike co-ed groups, Cuff has joined in the past, all of the RunHers appreciate the critical importance of discussing what exactly they should wear for each run.

See them in action June 10 in Arlington's Bluemont Park at the Women's Distance Festival 5K, which the group is co-sponsoring with the D.C. Road Runners Club (Dcroadrunners.org/races/wdf.asp).

Photo by iStock