Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state located in the Eastern United States. Because of the diverse landscape and natural conditions, it is called “America in Miniature.”
Beautiful lakes and rivers occupy almost a quarter of the region. In the central part of the state, hills with oak forests give way to pine foothills. To the east, sand dunes are adjacent to numerous swamps. To the west are mountain ranges with excellent ski resorts. Along the Atlantic coast is a magnificent resort area. Simply put, Maryland races are an amazing opportunity to see scenic nature.
5K races in Maryland
1. Charm City Run 5K at Boordy Vineyards
Aug 14, 2022 – Sunday
5K trail run
Virtual Option
Hydes, MD
The Charm City Run 5K at Boordy Vineyards is one of the most popular summer destinations. Each runner will get a race shirt and entrance to a party with wine, live music, and food.
The top three male and female participants in each age group get awards.
The Maryland 5k starts and ends on the vineyard property and covers grass, gravel, and road.
2. Peach Festival Jack Roberts Scholarship 5K
Aug 14, 2022 – Sunday
5K run
Hagerstown, MD
The Peach Festival Jack Roberts Scholarship 5K benefits the Jack Roberts Scholarship and Leitersburg Ruritan Scholarship Funds.
The 5k route starts and ends at Leitersburg Park. There is an aid station at the halfway point.
Participants that register by August 1st will get a Peach Festival shirt and finisher medal, and there will be awards for the top 3 male and female runners.
3. PGRC Women’s Distance Festival 5K and Fella’s 5K
Aug 14, 2022 – Sunday
5K run
College Park, MD
The PGRC Women’s Distance Festival 5K and Fella’s 5K will be held on Sunday, August 14th. It is a fun, flat, and picturesque 5k in Maryland on a certified distance across Lake Artemesia in College Park.
The women’s run starts at 7:30 am. A men’s run starts at 8:30 am.
The top 3 male and female runners will receive awards. There will also be awards for the top finishers in 5 age groups.
4. Mermaid 5K
Aug 20, 2022 – Saturday
5K, 1-mile run
Virtual Option
Aberdeen, MD
The 3rd Annual Mermaid 5K will be held on Saturday, August 20, at Festival Park in Aberdeen, MD. The 5K Race starts at 8:00 am, followed by the 1-mile run soon after.
The 5K Run will be chip-timed by Blue Cheetah Sports Timing. Finishers of 5k will get a medal and race shirt.
The distance is flat and fast – USATF Certified! You are encouraged to wear a costume. There will be a party after.
Proceeds will benefit the Maryland TEARS Foundation.
5. Ellicott City Labor Day 10K & 5K
Sep 3, 2022 – Saturday
10K, 5K run | kids run
Ellicott City, MD
The 19th Annual Ellicott City Labor Day 10K & 5K will be held on Saturday, September 3 at 8:00 a.m.
The 10k distance goes through picturesque western Ellicott City countryside. The 5k course is a road/trail (dirt/grass) on the Shrine property. They are USATF-certified courses.
In addition to drinks, there will be music, prizes, and a moonbounce. There will be cash and non-cash awards in 7 age groups.
Race T-Shirts are guaranteed to runners registered by August 14.
6. Emancipation Day Run/Walk
Sep 3, 2022 – Saturday
5K run
Virtual Option
Laurel, MD
10th Annual Emancipation Day Diabetes 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Walk will be held on Saturday, September 3.
Proceeds will go to the University of Maryland’s Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology-Midtown, which helps children and adults.
The registration fee for the 5K Run/Walk and the 1 Mile Fun Walk is $25.00 per person. You will get a race bib and a race medal.
If you can’t join the race day, you can sign up for the Virtual Option!
7. Mike Sterling 10K, 5K
Sep 3, 2022 – Saturday
10K, 5K run
Crisfield, MD
The 43rd Annual Mike Sterling 10k Race/5k Run/10k Ruck will be held in Crisfield, MD., on September 3. The run starts and ends at the Crisfield City Dock.
Runners and walkers will get a flat, fast course that goes through the City of Crisfield and along the waterfront. Aid stations will be available at 3 locations along the route.
Marathons in Maryland
8. Baltimore Running Festival
Oct 15, 2022 – Saturday
26.2M, 13.1M, 5K run | 26.2M relay | kids run
Virtual Option
Baltimore, MD
The Baltimore Running Festival is a Boston Qualifier and one of the fastest Baltimore races.
This event is considered one of the best East Coast runs at the inner Harbor. If you can’t make it on race day, you can join the Virtual option.
You can choose from 5 distances. All runners will get an Under Armour shirt for participating.
9. NCR Marathon
Nov 26, 2022 – Saturday
26.2M, 13.1M run
Sparks, MD
The 33rd running of the NCR Marathon will be held on November 26. It is USATF certified and a Boston Qualifier.
The out and back marathon offers a picturesque wooded run on a gravel and dirt trail alongside the Big Gunpowder Falls.
For runners, the NCR Marathon and Half Marathon are first-class events.
10. SBY Marathon
Apr 1, 2023 – Saturday
26.2M, 13.1M, 5K run
Salisbury, MD
The 5th annual SBY Marathon will be held on Saturday, April 2nd, 2023. It will be a fun event full of surprises, as the 5th anniversary falls on April Fools Day!
The Marathon and Half Marathon courses are on the same course for 10.8 miles before splitting off to finish.
11. GAP Marathon
Sep 28, 2023 – Thursday
26.2M, 13.1M trail run
Frostburg, MD
The GAP Marathon and Half Marathon uses 6.56 miles of the scenic Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and starts at 8:00 am.
The race starts and finishes at Frostburg GAP Trailhead.
12. Western Maryland Rail Trail Marathon
Oct 16, 2022 – Sunday
26.2M, 13.1M, 10K trail run
Hancock, MD
The Western Maryland Rail Trail Marathon is a Boston Qualifier. The 8th edition of the Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2022.
The marathon starts at 7:30 am, the half marathon begins at 8:00 AM, and the 10K starts at 8:15 AM.
The race takes place on the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail. The start/finish is located on the Western Maryland Rail Trail just north of C&O Bicycle at 9 S Pennsylvania Ave Hancock.
Half Marathons in Maryland
13. St Michaels Running Festival
May 20, 2023 – Saturday
13.1M, 10K, 5K, 1K run | kids run
Virtual Option
Saint Michaels, MD
The St Michaels running festival is one of the TOP 100 HALF MARATHONS IN THE USA!
The course is built to help you get a new experience. The first mile goes through downtown St. Michaels – one of the most scenic waterfront towns in the area. After passing Talbot Street, you will run through waterfront communities and down country lanes before heading back towards the downtown area to the finish line.
14. Annapolis Run for The Light House
Sep 18, 2022 – Sunday
13.1M, 5K, 1.3M run
Annapolis, MD
The Annapolis Run for The Light House includes a picturesque half-marathon and scenic 5K route along the trails of Quiet Waters Park and through the Chesapeake Bay-front community of Hillsmere Shores.
All proceeds will go to The Light House in Annapolis, a public charity that helps the homeless.
15. BRRC Half Marathon
Oct 2, 2022 – Sunday
13.1M run
Sparks, MD
The BRRC Half Marathon is one of 9 races in the BRRC Grand Prix Series and one of the best Maryland half marathons.
The course starts north of Sparks Road on NCR Trail, heads north to Monkton Road, turns back south to Paper Mill Road, then back north to the finish line at Sparks Road.
Registration starts at 7:00 am on race day. The course is fat and flat, on the historic (since 1832!) NCR trail.
