New Market STRONG Run/Walk and Festival

The flowy, fast, and fun trails at Schaeffer Farms are wonderfully maintained and offer twisty single-track, stream crossings, log ramps, a few hills, and open farm field running. Moderately technical with some rocky and rooty sections, these race courses begin and end at the beautiful Button Farm Living History Center off Black Rock Road.

Charity partnership

We are raising funds and awareness for two wonderful non-profits in Montgomery County, Interfaith Works and Button Farm Living History Center. The goal of the charity partnership is to first and foremost to raise awareness of the services that these wonderful organizations provide in our area. In addition, we hope to raise funds that will directly support their efforts. Please consider making a donation when you register.

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/

Little Bennett Regional Park in Montgomery County, MD is a 3600 acre wooded playground filled with over 20 miles of trails, picturesque streams, and plenty of camping. Bring the family and camp or make the easy trek on race day to this convenient park, located off Interstate 270 only 30 miles West of D.C. The races courses at Little Bennett follow twisty and fun single-track hiking trails. There’s also challenging hills and plenty of stream-side running. You will not be disappointed with these awesome courses and beautiful park setting!

Charity partnership

During registration, you will have an opportunity to support a local non-profit Interfaith Works. The goal of the charity partnership is to first and foremost to raise awareness of the services that IW provides to families in our area. In addition, we hope to raise funds that will directly support their efforts. Please consider making a donation when you register.