Recent news
Distance Festival Raises $30K for Women's Giving Circle
Frederick News-Post, December 9, 2023
The 2023 Frederick Women’s Distance Festival raised $29,563 for the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County.
The Frederick Steeplechasers hosted the 34th annual 5K run/walk in August at Frederick Community College. There were 639 participants in the race. Elizabeth Oldhouser of Frederick won this year’s race in 18:45.
More than 200 businesses and individuals made donations or funded sponsorships to support the race and the Women’s Giving Circle, which supports nonprofits that help women.
34th Frederick Women's Distance Festival sees largest turnout since 2019
Frederick News-Post, August 6, 2023
Amid the Saturday morning fog, hundreds of women lined up in front of the Frederick Community College Student Center, prepared to start the 34th Frederick Women’s Distance Festival 5K race.
When the countdown ended, women of all different ages and abilities took off running and walking, while spectators and supporters cheered loudly from the sidelines.
The Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club hosted the festival, a fundraiser for the Women’s Giving Circle. This year saw the event’s highest number of registered participants since 2019.
Frederick Women's Distance Festival attracts 607 runners
Frederick News-Post, October 8, 2022
The 33rd annual Frederick Women’s Distance Festival, hosted by the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club, attracted 607 runners and walkers Aug. 6 at Frederick Community College.
The run/walk demonstrates support for women’s running, health and fitness, and it raised $26,585 for the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County grant program, supporting local nonprofits that help women in the Frederick community. In addition to race registration fees, more than 200 businesses and individuals made donations or funded sponsorships to support the race and the Women’s Giving Circle. Since 2010, the event has generated over $207,000 for the Giving Circle.
Frederick Women's Distance Festival raises $23k for Women's Giving Circle
Frederick News-Post, December 18, 2021
In August, the 32nd annual Frederick Women’s Distance Festival, hosted by the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club, was back at Frederick Community College. There were 597 runners and walkers this year, including 91 who opted for the virtual variant of the event. The run/walk is a favorite in Frederick, demonstrating support for women’s running, health, and fitness, and raising money for the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County. “It was wonderful to see our runners, walkers, and volunteers back at FCC this year,” race director Harriet Langlois said. “The energy and support of this all-female event are unique and empowering.” The 2021 race raised $23,194 for the Giving Circle’s grant program, supporting local nonprofits that help women in the Frederick community. In addition to race registration fees, more than 230 businesses and individuals made donations or funded sponsorships to support the race and the Women’s Giving Circle. Since 2010, the event has generated more than $181,000 for the Giving Circle.
Frederick Women's Distance Festival raises $21,000 for Women's Giving Circle
Frederick News-Post, October 26, 2020
In August, the 31st annual Frederick Women’s Distance Festival, hosted by the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club, went forward in a virtual format in response to the current COVID-19 crisis. Three hundred fifty-five runners and walkers participated from the safety of their own neighborhoods during the nine-day race window in a show of support for women’s running, health and fitness, and to raise money for the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County.
“It might have been easier to cancel the race outright when it became clear that we could not safely gather in-person this year, but the event is too important to our runners and to our charitable beneficiary,” said Harriet Langlois, race director. “I am humbled by the response we received from our participants, donors, and sponsors. This event truly has a committed community behind it.”
Frederick Women's Distance Festival raises $24,000 for Women's Giving Circle
Frederick News-Post, October 10, 2019
On Aug. 3, a record 650 runners, walkers, volunteers and sponsors gathered at Frederick Community College to participate in the 30th running of the Frederick Women’s Distance Festival 5K. The Road Runners Club of America started the Women’s Distance Festival in 1979 in response to the lack of distance running events in the Olympics Games for women. While women’s participation in distance running currently matches or surpasses that of men, the Women’s Distance Festival continues to serve as a celebration of the determination and dedication of women runners across the country.
Frederick Women's Distance Festival raises $24,000 for Women's Giving Circle
Frederick News Post, October 8, 2018
On August 4th, over 500 women gathered at Frederick Community College to race, run or walk five kilometers at the 28th annual Frederick Women’s Distance Festival 5k. This event, a summer fitness staple for area women, celebrates the history of women’s right to participate in running events of any distance and at any age. The race is one of nine such events across Maryland as part of the Road Runners Club of America Women’s Distance Festival series.
Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club donates $16,223 to the Women's Giving Circle
Frederick News Post, December 10, 2017
On August 5th, over 500 women gathered at Frederick Community College to race, run or walk five kilometers at the 28th annual Frederick Women’s Distance Festival 5k. This event, a summer fitness staple for area women, celebrates the history of women’s right to participate in running events of any distance and at any age. The race is one of nine such events across Maryland as part of the Road Runners Club of America Women’s Distance Festival series.
Frederick Women's Distance Running Festival raises more than $14,000 for Women's Giving Circle
Frederick News Post, January 24, 2017
On Aug. 13, the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club held the 27th annual Frederick Women’s Distance Festival. The Steeplechasers are strong advocates of the Women’s Distance Festival, started in 1979 by the Road Runners Club of America to celebrate the history of women’s rights to participate in running events at any distance and at any age. This event, run by women to benefit women, is one of four signature races hosted by the Steeplechasers supporting local charities in the community.
Women’s Giving Circle receives over $14K from Frederick Women’s Distance Festival
Frederick News Post, December 14 2015
More than 500 women registered to compete at the 26th Frederick Women’s Distance Festival, held at Frederick Community College on Aug. 8. The annual event includes a 1K fun run for the “little women,” and is more than just a chance for runners to achieve their health and racing goals. The runners achieved one more significant accomplishment in registering for the race, raising $14,412 for the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County.
The mission of the Women’s Giving Circle, per its website, is to “strengthen the spirit of women though cycles of donations and grants. We strive to empower women to become stronger and self-sufficient in order to improve the quality of their lives and the lives of the people for whom they are responsible.”
The Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club, which puts on the Frederick Women’s Distance Festival, supports this mission and donates the proceeds from the race each year to the cause.
Race director Harriet Langlois presented Karlys Kline, founder of the Women’s Giving Circle, with the donation.
“The 2015 Frederick Women’s Distance Festival was an unprecedented success, both in terms of the number of participants and the size of our donation to the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County,” said Langlois. “The Frederick Steeplechasers have a long-standing commitment to the Frederick community and we are grateful for the support of our runners, our volunteers and our sponsors who contributed to the success of this year’s race.”
Women's Distance Festival makes Donation
Frederick News Post, December 14 2014
There were 409 registered participants at the 25th Frederick Women’s Distance Festival held recently at Frederick Community College. The race is put on by the Frederick Steeplechaser Running Club. The major sponsors included Elizabeth Liotta and Mid-Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute, along with other local businesses. This year, the festival donated $10,262 to the Women’s Giving Circle. The WGC helps improve the lives of women in need. The total donations from the last five WDF races to the WGC is $42,707. Pictured are members of the Women’s Giving Circle and the Women’s Distance Festival who work together on the committee. From left are Robin McConaughey, Luanne Houck, Harriet Langlois (chairwoman), Marti Grib-Kachman, Joan McGrath, Karlys Kline, Rona Mensah and Peggy Waxter.
Steeplechaser Women's Distance Festival raises funds with race
Ed Waters, Jr., Frederick News Post, August 10 2014
More than 400 contestants in a race Saturday morning challenged themselves to finish a 5K race for charity at Frederick Community College. The 25th annual Frederick Steeplechaser Women’s Distance Festival included the 5K race around the college campus and, for the first time, a 1K fun run for girls 13 and younger. Maria Carberry, 16, a junior at Urbana High School, won the 5K race with a time of 19 minutes 1 second...
Frederick Women's Distance Festival Adds New "Little Women 1k Fun Run"
Frederick News Post, May 6 2014
The Frederick Women’s Distance Festival, the Frederick area’s premiere women’s road race, will welcome the youngest female runners with the addition of the Little Women 1K Fun Run, named for Louisa May Alcott’s still popular and timeless story.The Little Women 1K Fun Run is open to girls from infants through age 13. Parents are welcome to run or walk alongside their daughters in this non-competitive, untimed event.
Women's Distance Festival Committee presents check to Women's Giving Circle
Frederick News Post, February 18 2014
The Frederick Steeplechaser's Womens Distance Festival race committee recently presented a check for $9,715 to Karlys Kline for the Women's Giving Circle. The proceeds from the 2013 Women's Distance Festival 5k will be used by the WGC to help support programs in Frederick County that help women and children in need.
Women's Distance Festival offers a twist
Karen Gardner, Frederick News Post, July 29 2013
On Saturday, August 10, the overall winner of a 5K race will be a woman — most likely.
The Women's Distance Festival 5K is coming to Frederick for the 24th year, with the race starting at 8 a.m. This is a race for women, administered by women, and for the benefit of women. This year's race, however, has a twist.
For $5, men can buy a chance to run with the women. One man's name will be drawn, and that man can run with the women. He's not likely to win an award, however, unless he finishes in the top three overall or is the top master...
Maryland Women's Distance Festival
Shannon Morgan, Maryland Life, March 27 2013
It’s a muggy August morning in Frederick, and I’m thankful for cloud cover. I wouldn’t mind a little light rain, either, for the next 40 minutes or so—the time it will take me to complete the Frederick Women’s Distance Festival 5K at Frederick Community College.
It’s not my first 5K, but it is the first time I’ve participated in the Frederick Women’s Distance Festival, which is not a festival, per se, but rather part of a series.
In its 24th year, the Maryland Women’s Distance Festival Grand Prix series is the only one of its kind in the nation. It’s comprised of 11 total races across Maryland (with two in Virginia) held April through August each year and serves to promote health and wellness among women of all ages and abilities...
Frederick Steeplechasers donate $8730 to Women's Giving Circle
October 26, 2012
Today the committee members of the Frederick Steeplechaser Women's Distance Festival presented the proceeds from this year's race to Karlys Kline of the Women's Giving Circle of Frederick County. This sizeable contribution will be used to provide grants to area non-profit organizations supporting vulnerable women and children in Frederick County.