The day begins in Georgetown/DC at the Trailhead C&O Canal Towpath. 

The stage concludes in College Park at Calvert Road Park.

Folks who haven't spent much time in DC won't appreciate the quality hiking available around it, between the C&O that brought us here and the Rock Creek Trail, which carries us forward today. The winding trail leads past countless embassies, the National Zoo, one bucolic picnic site after another (may late November treat us kindly), and even a golf course, before we finally-with more than a little remorse--leave the park and push eastward.

Even as busy roads and urban congestion unspool before us, plenty of interesting sites remain, including Fort Slocum and Fort Totten. And fear not, the last leg of the stage returns to a much-appreciated pedestrian/bike track, the NW Branch Trail, which carries us to the finish line in College Park, home to an airport, an aviation museum, and the University of Maryland.

Support: A support vehicle will be accessible at Peirce Mill (4 miles), Fort Stevens Park (7 miles), and Chillum Park (11.7 miles). Water will be available to top off bottles, along with all necessary participant gear. Restrooms are available at Peirce Mill Visitors Center.

Take Heed: Outside of Rock Creek Park, you'll spend a lot of time today navigating surface streets with ample traffic. Be attentive and use crosswalks.