Night races growing in popularity

WASHINGTON — If you’re wondering why night races are growing in popularity, just think about the advantages. You don’t need to set your alarm. You’re not in the blazing sun. You can persuade a group of buddies to come along more easily. But the biggest benefit seems to be that people like to linger at night and enjoy themselves.

“Usually, it’s run and done. You’ve got to go to the grocery store,” says Kathy Dalby, who manages events for Pacers Running Stores, including the July 23 Crystal City Twilighter race in Arlington, Va. Or you have to mow the lawn or take the kids to practice or check other errands off your to-do list.

At night, however, you can just party, which is exactly what these races turn into.

But the concept of pairing a sprint and a street party was an immediate hit — and an enduring one. Nearly 2,500 folks finished last year’s race, which, as always, wound through residential streets, where neighbors offered cheers and sprinklers for passing runners.

There’s been a boom in copycats, particularly over the past five years. At all of them, you’ll see similar elements. It’s critical to have free beer but also plenty of kid-friendly activities, since it turns out these events are a huge draw for families.

You might think the late start time, typically around dusk, would discourage children from coming along, but in the summer, there’s no school or homework, so the whole clan is free, explains Potomac River Running co-owner Ray Pugsley. And unlike many other social options available at night, this is one where running around is encouraged.

Don’t let the presence of brews and babies fool you, however. Serious runners still show up after dark, and some even say they perform better than they would in the morning.

“Competition-wise, I’m more awake and racing more effectively,” says Frank DeVar, a 23-year-old member of the Pacers running team.

That said, there are extra challenges inherent in night racing. It’s not hard to wake up, eat a small breakfast and get to the start line. But having another 12 hours to fill complicates race-day planning.

“You have to decide whether you’ll do a run in the morning or stay fresh,” DeVar says.

There’s the question of what to eat — just enough to have energy but not so much that you feel weighed down.

And then there’s the issue of heat. Just because the sun is about to set doesn’t mean it’s cool outside. Jonathan Klim, 31, captain of the Georgetown Running Company Race Team said he advises runners to keep cool and hydrated before heading to a race.

“Being inside and watching TV is a good warm-up,” he says.

The pros still seem to outweigh the cons for night owls, who love dashing along a course illuminated by streetlights and heading to a finish line under the stars. But I wonder whether the growth of evening events will make them lose some of their luster. “Having them few and far between makes them special. You don’t want to have too many members in the club,” Klim says.

Or maybe it’s just the dawn of a new era in racing.