FSRC Independence 5000

Free for FSRC Members

Our low-key races are free for Steeplechaser members, so YAY! But for this race, you have to bring a pie. Homemade, store-bought - it doesn't matter.

You must be a club member on race day in order to get free race entry.

• If you’re not a club member, you can join at https://runsignup.com/fsrc.

• To look up your membership by name and/or email and to renew see: https://runsignup.com/fsrc and click Membership Lookup. If your membership has expired, click the Renew Now button next to your most recent membership. We have no idea why they have Renew Now next to older memberships, so please click the right one.

• If you think you are a paid member of the club and you still can't register, please check that the spelling of your name and your birthday match the information in your RunSignup profile.

• If this still doesn't offer the ability to register for the race for free, email [email protected] for assistance.

Finally - if you currently have an individual membership and would like to upgrade to "Two-In-Household" or "Family" membership in order to get the free race entry for family members, contact our membership committee at [email protected].

Race Day Registration

You may sign up on race day, but you'll need to do it online on your own device. We will not have paper forms or registration kiosks. Cell service is poor at the race site, so please register before you arrive.

Course Description

The course is a paved beautiful, but hilly country road in northern Frederick County.

Course map

Prizes

The top men and ladies get their choice of pies while the rest of us choose in order of finish time.

Disclaimer/Amenities

This is a low-budget but fun event that we’ve done over and over again to fill in gaps in the running schedule (“pie filler” Get it?). The race is adequately marked, measured, and timed, but there is minimal aid (one water station you pass twice with just water that could be self-serve if no one shows up to help). There is no traffic control (but there’s very little traffic out there).

As always, everyone runs at their own risk (not a race for pre-teen children to run on their own).

Come out, have a great run, and share some pie!

Logistics

The race will be chip timed, but still please make sure that you stay in order as you cross the finish line where volunteers will scan your bib -- we do this as a backup to resolve any missed chip reads which might occur.

Join us for the 37th annual Frederick Women's Distance Festival!

The Frederick Steeplechasers are bringing this exciting event back to Frederick Community College in 2026!

As with all Steeplechaser races, we will pay your processing fee. The registration fee you see is exactly what you'll pay! No sneaky add-on fees.

Net proceeds will again be donated to The Women's Giving Circle of Frederick County.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, see our website at https://frederickwdf.com

HISTORY

In 1979, the RRCA started the Women’s Distance Festival in response to the lack of distance running events in the Olympic Games for women. The first Women’s Distance Festival events were held on July 13, 1980, the date of the men’s marathon at the Moscow Olympics. Today, the Women’s Distance Festival celebrates the history of women’s right to participate in running events at any distance and at any age. While women’s participation in distance running nearly matches 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.

TEAMS

Participants of the 5k Run/Walk may optionally register as part of a team. In-person runners who are competing on a team are also eligible for individual awards.

Team Type Description Minimum Team Size

Family Any combination of mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, granddaughter, wife, partner, etc (you know who your family is!) 2

Friends Any company, civic organization, club, friends 4

Registrants who wish to participate in the team competition must provide the team name and team category during registration.

If you are registering a large team and would like to pay in a single payment, contact the race director at [email protected].

SPONSORS

Please consider supporting the event through one of our sponsorship opportunities. See www.frederickwdf.com/sponsors.

TRAINING

The Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club offers a nine-week summer training program for women in preparation for the Frederick Women's Distance Festival 5k. The coaches are excited to be able to bring our beloved women's 5k training program back this year for in-person training runs.

Registration for the training program is separate from registration for the race. Signup at: https://runsignup.com/fsrcwdf5ktraining. The training program is free for members of the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club. If you're not already a member, you will need to signup before registering for the training program.

​For more information about our training program see: https://steeplechasers.org/training/training-programs/wdf-5k-training-program/

About the Frederick Steeplechasers

The Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club has been supporting runners, hosting races, and volunteering in the Frederick community since 1975. We promote running as a fun and healthy activity, and welcome runners of all ages and abilities.

About the FSRC Grand Prix and Maryland RRCA Grand Prix

The Frederick Market Street Mile is a feature race for both the Frederick Steeplechasers Grand Prix series and the Maryland RRCA Grand Prix series.

If you are a member of a Maryland RRCA running club or DC Road Runners, please provide your club affiliation during the registration process.

Join us at the 2026 Team AIMS Run On The Rocks! Whether you're up for a delightful 10 Miler, a hilarious half marathon, or an epic 20 Miler, our beautiful, lightning-fast, pancake flat course awaits. Get ready for a running adventure that'll have you sweating, smiling, and feeling like a champion on a mission! See you at the starting line.

Race Details

• Race Day - Saturday, September 26th, 2026

• This race is a chip-timed race.

• All participants receive a race premium t-shirt. Late registrations after September 7th “may” receive t-shirts, if available, and sizes are not guaranteed. There is a "no shirt" option for those who don't want a shirt.

• Finisher medals - Check out the Medal pictures below!!!

• Awards

• 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Risers category awards for each gender in each event (Ages 54 & below)

• 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Masters category awards for each gender in each event (Ages 55 & above)

• Awards will be given by Age group and won't be combined irrespective of who comes ahead over-all

• Event Transfers - The deadline to switch events is September 10, 2026. After this, email [email protected]. We'll try as much as we can.

• Wearing headphones during the race is not recommended as the Towpath is open for public and cyclists. If you still choose to wear one, make sure you are able to hear the baby bear chasing towards you.

• There is no Race Day Registration.

***To be sure you get a T-Shirt you must Register before 9/3/2026. If you register after 9/3/2026 11:59PM you may not get the size you want or even a shirt at all.

***Race Medals must be ordered ahead of time. Those who register after 8/15/2026 may not get a medal due to limited supplies.

1. Simply sign up for an in person race or challenge, show up at race, check in and race in our 8th Annual River's Edge Endurance Challenge!

Last year we changed our 5 mile race to 5K (3.1Mile) race and it was a hit! Basically the whole race is on the River's Edge Trail system! You will love it!

Our 3-hour challenge and a 6-hour challenge remain the same, and still use a 5 mile loop. How many 5 mile loops can you do in 3 or 6 hours?

TIME:

-Pre-Register now to save or in person Race Sign in for all races is 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

-Random drawings for free gifts is 7:45 AM.

-The 5K & 3-Hour and 6-Hour Challenges ALL start at 8 a.m

LOCATION:

In Person, the lower practice fields in between Brunswick High School and Brunswick Middle School.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

3 & 6 Hour endurance challenge include about 1 mile on Brunswick High school property with the rest being on run in the River's Edge Trail system. The 5K (3.1M) course is basically all on the trails. Short start and finish on school property. Both 5K and 5-mile loops are well marked.

ENTRANCE FEE:

5K (3.1 miles) Run - $35

3-HOUR Run - $50

6-HOUR Run - $60

*Price goes up after September 24th.

100% of the race fees is used to purchase shirts, medals, race support items like food, and the rest supports Brunswick High School Track in purchasing much needed new equipment. This is a non-profit race and as such there will be no refunds. Please see the refund policy.

ONLINE REGISTRATION:

https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Brunswick/RiversEdgeEnduranceRace

Online registration is open through September 26, 2025, up to race sign in deadline at 8:00 AM.

All of those who pre-registered in time will receive a Shirt, unique REEC Finisher medal and other giveaways on race day.

PRIZES: Gift Cards will be awarded via random drawing--two gift certificates per race!

The River's Edge Endurance Challenge is sponsored by the Brunswick High School Athletic Boosters, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), and as such serves as a fundraiser for the Brunswick High School Track and Field program. All Monies raised by this event will be dedicated to the purchase of much needed equipment which is not otherwise funded by Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). All donations and registration fees are fully tax deductible.

For more details visit race website.

https://riversedgeendurance.com/

PRESENTED BY:

Brunswick High School Athletics Boosters Club

BENEFIT:

Brunswick High School Track & Field Program equipment needs.

RACE DIRECTOR:

Kevin Ropp [email protected] 202-365-1164