Executive Director Letter

A VERY SPECIAL YEAR

Th ere’s no day in Charm City quite like marathon day. Th is year, though, has a very special meaning for a couple reasons; we are fi nally back to live races in Baltimore, and this year we will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Baltimore Running Festival!

For the past nineteen months, the world has gone through an unprecedented and extremely tough time in our history, and many people have experienced hardships. Th e world was turned upside down as businesses were shut down, and people were unable to do many of the things they loved. But there is hope. We are starting to feel a sense of revitalization as our old way of life begins to open back up. Live races are resuming, and the world of running is starting its journey back to normalcy.

Once again, on October 9th, the city of Baltimore will transform into what we are accustomed to seeing on this Saturday morning. And for the 20th time, the streets will be lined with eager runners, families, and volunteers cheering loudly, and a city fi lled with pride.

Th e 20th Anniversary brings a couple changes along with it. Th e beginning of the marathon will take runners back to a familiar place by running through Camden Yards – Th e Home of Th e Baltimore Orioles. Th e 20th Anniversary fuses old and new, starting with the original fi nish line in 2001 and fi nishing at the Inner Harbor in 2021. Th is year will be the fi rst year of the 10K distance through the city. A distance for experienced runners and casual fans alike. Th e fi rst few miles of the 10K will coincide with the marathon as runners climb toward Druid Hill Park and fi nish with that all too familiar fi nal turn onto Pratt Street.

Some things do not change, however. Fifty individuals have been running with us since the conception of this event. Fifty individuals have been with us every brisk October morning. Th is is a special year for a loyal group of runners.

One of those individuals is Michael Schilling. Not only has he participated in the Baltimore Running Festival every year since the fi rst inaugural race, but he has completed the Full Marathon distance every year. Michael continues to run in the festival for many reasons, including the local support, the diverse neighborhoods, the police support, and the overwhelming feeling of “coming home” once crossing the fi nish line. It’s people like Michael that make this event so special. All fi ftytimers have extreme Baltimore Pride.

Another individual to highlight for the 20th Anniversary of the Baltimore Running Festival is Houston native: Aaron Burros. Burros is on a mission to run 50 marathons in 50 states to raise funds for St. Jude. Burros has now dedicated his life to running. Running has successfully saved his life twice, once for a weight loss challenge and after being tragically shot during a robbery. He calls himself the running servant, and we are happy to host him at our event.

We’d be remiss if we did not talk about all the wonderful charities associated with this powerful event and how they help individuals and their families during their personal times of crisis. Th e Baltimore Running Festival has raised more than $14 million for local charities and generated over $450 million of economic impact over the last 20 years. While we all celebrate on a crisp fall Saturday in October, it’s evident the festival impacts some lives forever.

So, that’s who we are. Th is is the city we know and why we love Baltimore. Enjoy the 20th Anniversary of the Baltimore Running Festival.

LEE CORRIGAN President, Corrigan Sports Enterprises Baltimore Running Festival Executive Director