The Andiamo Run is a low-key event which spans the entire W&OD Railroad Regional Park -- a 45 mile generally flat, paved trail on an abandoned railroad bed. The trail is used by runners, walkers, skaters, bicyclists, horses, and people walking their dogs. For most of the way, there is a parallel equestrian trail (dirt), which runners are welcome to use.

The Andiamo is the brainchild of Dave Moruzzi, who nurtured it for five years before turning it over to the VHTRC. As Dave would remind you, andiamo means "let's go" in Italian.

The VHTRC will provide aid at the six mile point (Clark’s Gap) and eleven mile point (eastern Leesburg at Sycolin Road) and light refreshments at the finish. ALL OTHER AID WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RUNNER. There are ample water fountains and convenience stores along the route. (In the next week or two, we will verify current locations and post a list.) All finishers will receive a small Andiamo finisher's memento.

The run starts in Purcellville, which is about 10 miles west of Leesburg. The finish is in Shirlington near the intersection of I-395 and Glebe Road. We can provide transportation from the finish to the start, before the run, to those who enter before September 19. (This is also the date that the entry fee goes up by 50%.) We will neither help nor feel sorry for those looking for rides back to the start after the event. If you can provide a ride or need a ride, please contact Joe Malinowski. You must arrange rides in advance. If you drop out of the run before the finish, you will be responsible for your transportation. All runners should carry some cash to meet unforeseen transportation needs.

Directions to Finish: The finish is in Shirlington, a locale of Arlington County, Virginia, noted for its street of restaurants. If southbound on I-395 (going from DC) take Exit 7 for Glebe Road/Shirlington. Take the Shirlington turn which is the second turn off the exit. At the signal, turn right; the finish is at the next signal (Shirlington Road and Four Mile Run Drive). If northbound on I-395 (heading toward DC) take Exit 6 (Shirlington). The finish, like the start, is understated--look for the brown wooden sign. (The pay phone which was the finish line is gone. Only real old-timers will remember the phone anyway. The finish is the end of the asphalt.)

Directions to Start: Take Route 7 west past Leesburg. (Take the Dulles Toll Road and the Greenway to get to Route 7 at Leesburg.) As you approach Purcellville take Business 7 into town (leave 7 at route 287). Go west through Purcellville on Main Street. Turn right on 21st Street (route 690) (look for flashing yellow light). The trailhead (and run start) is about two blocks down on the right. PARK ON THE RIGHT, NOT IN THE CONDO PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET. ALSO, BE QUIET. IT'S EARLY SATURDAY MORNING! (Check out the map [pdf] on the Purcellville site.)

Rules: First, you must comply with all of the rules of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA). You must comply with all traffic signs and signals. Don't relieve yourself in public view. (The restrooms at the start have been open in recent years, but don't count on it. There is a small park with toilets near the finish. There are other restrooms available along the trail or close by; the trail guidebook noted in Crew Instructions indicates available facilities.)

On the trail, you must be prepared for regular Saturday activity by other trail users. You will be out there with everyone else and there will be no special runner privileges. Runners must comply with traffic signals and laws applying to pedestrians. Several bad road crossings now have bridges but some still require crossing streets with heavy traffic. Generally, traffic is not a problem. There will be no special measures in dealing with traffic.

You are welcome to run on the parallel unpaved equestrian trail as much or as little as you desire. Horses are rarely present, but runners must announce their presence if coming up behind a rider and must follow whatever directions the rider gives you (i.e., don’t sneak up on a horse!).

IF YOU DROP OUT, call Joe Malinowski (703-312-1274) and report this fact. At dusk, you must leave the trail wherever you are. If this happens to you, call to report you are quitting and then call a cab. Your entry fee does not include transportation if you drop out.

Remember, this is a low-key event. Don't expect anything out of this other than an interesting run through beautiful countryside. This is a paved multi-use path, not a trail.

Special Note for 2008: The NVRPA is repaving the trail from Purcellville to Dry Run Mill Road. Based on a discussion with the Park Ranger, we believe the “detour” will be simply to use the equestrian trail in that section. In any case, runners are expected to follow whatever detours are posted by the NVRPA.

Crew Instructions: While the trail roughly parallels Route 7, it is not always fast or easy to meet the trail from Route 7. We recommend a good local map for crews. The local AAA maps show the trail as far as Vienna. Also, the ADC Map Co. (703-765-5626) Northern Virginia Area Map and the Loudoun County, Virginia, Street Map are good. You can also order ($5.75 + tax, no shipping charge) a map of the W&OD Trail from the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) to assist you in planning meeting points. Friends of the W&OD also provides a list of parking locations, along with trail history and other information. Trying to meet runners after Vienna (inside the beltway) will be complicated for all but long-time locals. Prepare to become lost!

For more information: If you have questions about the event, contact the run directors, Carolyn Gernand [virtualslug@verizon.net] or Joe Malinowski [jamalinowski@comcast.net].

Link to entry form is below. The field is limited to the first 25 entrants received.

Information and application
• Entry Form - print out and mail in the old fashioned way
Prior Results
• Report, Results, and Pictures from 2006 Event
• Report, Results, and Pictures from 2004 Event
• Report, Results, and Pictures from 2002 Event
• Report, Results, and Pictures from 2000 Event
• 1998 Results
• 1996 Results
W&OD Resources on the Web
• Northern Virginia Park Authority Site
• Friends of the W&OD
• Another W&OD Page (Warning, loads strangely!)
• Yet Another W&OD Page
• W&OD Page on AshburnWeb.com site
• Information about Purcellville including a map