Organizers say 7500 runners will be taking part in the half-marathon on Sunday.
Frederick, Md (KM). Runners will be lacing up their shoes next month for the 16th Frederick Running Festival. President Lee Corrigan of Corrigan Sports Enterprises, which is organizing the event, says 7500 runners from 35 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Afghanistan will be running in the Half-Marathon. “We do have some international representation,” he says.
The Running Festival will take place on Saturday, May 5th and Sunday, May 6th at the Frederick Fairgrounds. The Saturday event will begin at 5:00 PM with the Twilight 5K taking place at 6:00 PM. Runners will begin at the Fairgrounds and follow Monocacy Boulevard and Gas House Pike and return to the Fairgrounds. The 5K is expected to end by 7:30 PM.
The Half-Marathon begins at 7:00 AM on Sunday along East Patrick Street in front of the Fairgrounds. Runners will travel down to East Street then to New Design Road past Harry Grove Stadium. They will race through Market Street in downtown Frederick, and go through Baker Park and the Hood College campus. After traveling through the northern part of Frederick, the runners will take Schifferstadt Boulevard and Monocacy Boulevard back to the Fairgrounds, crossing the finish line in front of the Grandstands.
Corrigan says residents often cheer the runners on as they pass through their neighborhoods. “Frederick always shows up big time to support this event. We have a lot of people in the neighborhoods out there having parties, enjoying the day. Also, a lot of the Frederick churches get involved as well and really support the event,” he says.
In addition to the race, Corrigan says the Festival has a positive affect on the local economy. “The Frederick Running Festival annually generates an estimated $3.5-million to the local economy, which is something that we’re very proud of. That along with the money that’s raised for charity from this event as well which is in the neighborhood of $50,000 per year.. So it’s something that we’re very proud of here at Corrigan Sports,” he says.
One of the charities which benefits from this event is the Frederick Rescue Mission. The men who reside there often work on the days of the Running Festival. “For years, they have been there to help before, during and after So they’re helping set up. They’re helping during the day, race day activities. And they then even come to help tear down which is a great assistance to our team,” says Corrigan.
The Running Festival attracts not only a lot of runners, but their families and supporters along with first responders. The Frederick Police Department says this event will mean additional vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and motorists are reminded to expect delays when traveling. They’re also being told to plan additional travel time.
Citizens are reminded to report any suspicious activity to police. They can call the Department at 301-600-3101, or dial 911.
A kickoff news conference for the Running Festival will be held at City Hall on Thursday, May 3rd at 11:00 AM. Corrigan says Rachel Ridgeway, the city’s Race Director for the past 13 years, will be retiring after this year’s Festival. She will be honored at the news conference next week, he says.
By Kevin McManus