Event Information - something for everyone
Click HERE for more information on our virtual race
5K RUN/WALK
Our main event is the 5K Run/Walk where women runners and walkers of all ages and abilities enjoy the well-supported course on the campus of Frederick Community College and in the adjacent neighborhood. This women-only event is timed with overall and age group awards, but don't worry if you're not out there to burn up the course. All paces are welcome and we celebrate every finisher.
COURSE
The Frederick Steeplechasers Women's Distance Festival USATF-certified (MD-21002NP) course starts and finishes at the Student Center on the campus of Frederick Community College and loops through the adjacent neighborhood of Clover Hill.
LITTLE WOMEN 1K FUN RUN
Our Little Women Fun Run is for girls 13 and younger who may not be ready for the full 5K. Strollers are permitted in this event and adult companions are welcome to accompany their little runners at no additional cost. The 1K Fun Run starts at 7:30am, using the same start/finish as the 5K start. A preview of this year's course can be found here:
START/FINISH
Frederick Community College Student Center, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702
RACE SCHEDULE
Thursday, July 31:
4-7 pm Bib Pickup - Frederick Community College Student Center, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702
Friday, August 1:
4-7 pm Bib Pickup - Frederick Community College Student Center, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702
Saturday, August 2:
6:45 am Bib Pickup Opens
7:30 am: Little Women 1K Fun Run (for girls age 13 and under)
7:55 am: Athletes Serving Athletes Start
8:00 am: 5K Run/Walk Start
9:00-10:00am: Celebrate with us! Tour the race-day expo, visit the Photo Booth, check your results, see if you won a random prize, and grab something from our onsite food trucks.
NOTE: So that you have plenty of time to visit with your friends and enjoy our post-race celebration, we will not be holding an awards ceremony this year. Instead, award winners should come to the Awards table to pick up their awards.
RACE FEES
5K Run/Walk
Through May 31: $35
June 1 - July 30: $40
July 31 - August 2: $45
Little Women 1K Fun Run: $15
Virtual 5K Run/Walk (includes shipping)
Through June 30: $30
July 1 - August 3: $35
Online registration is open through race-day. Register and pay online! Payment cannot be accepted on-site.
ROAD CLOSURES
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The southbound lanes of Opossumtown Pike will be fully closed during the race
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The roads through Clover Hill (Autumn Leaf and Claiborne Drive) will be available for local traffic only but expect delays. It is recommended that drivers avoid the area if at all possible.
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Entry to the section of Clover Hill used by race via Summerfield Drive will be blocked.
TEAMS (for even more fun!)
Frederick Women's Distance Festival 5K participants may register to be part of a team.
Teams may be registered as:
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family (any combination of mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, wife, partner, etc) - minimum 2
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corporate/group (corporate, club, organization, friends, etc) - minimum 4
Contact the race director if you are interested in making arrangements for bulk payment of corporate team registrations.
RACE PREMIUM
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5K Run/Walk: Choose from performance short-sleeve or tank!
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Little Women 1K Fun Run: Super-cute cotton t-shirts
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Register by July 2 for guaranteed shirt availability. Size/Style availability may be limited after this deadline.
AWARDS
5K Individual Awards to:
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First Overall
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First Master (40+)
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First grandmaster (50+)
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First senior grandmaster (60+)
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top three in each of 16 five-year age groups: under 10, 10-14, 15-19 ... 75-79, 80+
no duplication within individual award categories
Overall winner based on clock time, all others based on net (chip) time
Team Awards:
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First-place teams in each of the team categories receive an award.
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Teams are scored using the best times of a minimum of two members for family teams and four members for corporate/group teams.
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Team awardees are eligible for individual awards.
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Special award to largest team
Check your results by scanning the Results QR code on your bib or by using hte results kiosks in front of the Student Center. If you've won an award, come to our Awards Tent to claim your award!
FINISHER MEDALS
Little Women 1K Fun Run: Finisher medals awarded to all participants
5K Run/Walk Finisher medals to all in-person 5k runners.
RACE-DAY EXPO:
Our race-day expo includes our generous sponsors, vendors, and also showcases some of the local nonprofit organizations that serve and empower women in our community. We hope you'll visit with these amazing organizations and learn how they benefit and impact local women in need.
OTHER COOL STUFF
We are bringing back our signature PHOTO BOOTH again this year! Look for it in front of the Student Center next to the Awards table.
RANDOM PRIZES: We have some great random prizes this year! You can spin the prize wheel at Thursday's packet pickup.
SWAG: Swag bags to first 500 5K participants to attend packet pickup.
Plus: If you've run our race in the past, and 2024 is your third (or more) year since 2014, you will receive a special gift from us at Packet Pickup.
FOOD TRUCKS: To further fuel your recovery and feed your support crew, Glamourview is returning again this year.
Serving breakfast items as well as ice cream!
FREE mini-cones for Little Women 1K runners!
Coffee and Breakfast!
POLICIES
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For your safety and the safety of those around you, dogs, bicycles, skates, and motorized devices of any kind are not allowed in the 5K event.
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Use of headphones is strongly discouraged.
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Strollers/baby joggers are permitted in the 5K event for walkers only, and stroller participants must line up at the back in the starting area. Participants seen running with a stroller may be disqualified. NOTE: This rule is waived for sport chairs associated with the Athletes Serving Athletes program.
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Strollers are permitted in the Little Women 1K Fun Run. Please proceed carefully and watch out for our littlest participants.
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There are no refunds or deferrals and bib transfers are not permitted. If you are unable to participate in the race, rest assured that your registration fee will help women in need through the work of the Women's Giving Circle of Frederick County. See the FSRC Bib Transfer Policy.
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FSRC has adopted the guidelines outlined by USATF regarding Transgender and Transsexual Athletes. (See here for FSRC policy)
WEATHER
Summer can bring excessive heat and intense storms. We always hope for the best, but the safety of our runners and volunteers is very important to us. So here is our official statement on race-day weather:
The Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club reserves the right to change the details of the event, including delaying, modifying, canceling, or suspending the race due to inclement weather or other potential safety risks. Excessive heat and lightning are both risk factors for summer races. Every effort will be made to effectively communicate advance decisions to participants via email, facebook, and our website. If it becomes necessary to suspend the race in progress, participants must retire at once from the race course if ordered to do so by event officials, medical staff, or any governmental authority, including firefighters and police officers.
VOLUNTEER
We love our volunteers! If you're not participating in the race, or if you have family members who would like to come out and help, take a look at our race-day volunteer opportunities on RunSignUp.
MARYLAND WOMAN'S DISTANCE FESTIVAL SERIES
The Maryland Women's Distance Festival Series is sponsored by the Maryland RRCA and its participating clubs. Women who complete four or more of the races in the series are eligible to receive the WDF Participation Award at the annual WDF Celebration. Runners must fill out the WDF Participation form in order to be considered for the Participation Award.
