Annapolis Striders Winter Half Marathon Training

The Kenzie Rose Youth Triathlon is a multisport race geared toward the youngest competitors, ages 5-15 - the future of the sport. This is a USAT-sanctioned race, and will be timed. PLEASE NOTE THAT AS A USA TRIATHLON EVENT, YOUR CHILD SHOULD BE IN THE CATEGORY FOR THEIR AGE AS OF 12/31/2025!!!!!!

​The swim will be held at St. Andrews Swim & Tennis Club in Severna Park, MD.

​The bike and run courses will be held on the trails of Kinder Farm Park, directly adjacent to the swim. Please visit the Course Info page for detailed maps of all courses.

About Kenzie

When Mackenzie Rose Beach was born on July 10, 2015, no one knew that this tiny baby possessed the spirit of a warrior. She was a happy little girl, and brought joy to everyone around her, especially her parents, Kate and Andrew, and her big sister, Maddie. However, life as a typical baby came to a screeching halt when, on March 22, 2016, Mackenzie began vomiting and was taken to the Emergency Room, where a scan showed a buildup of fluid as a result of a mass at the base of her brain. Mackenzie underwent surgery to insert a drain for the excess fluid and remove a portion of the tumor for biopsy. The pathology results returned as a malignant cancer, known as Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT). This is an extremely rare, aggressive cancer seen in only 3 children out of 1,000,000. Mackenzie endured many brain surgeries and flourished under a protocol by St. Jude, administered at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, involving an experimental drug and chemotherapy. In July

2016, a scan showed the result everyone was praying for – no evidence of disease! As Mackenzie and her family prepared for the next step in the treatment process – traveling to Boston in October 2016 for 6 weeks of radiation – an MRI confirmed the worst possible news. Despite being cancer-free just four months prior, the tumor had returned and spread to other areas in her tiny body. Mackenzie fought with all she had, but she passed away in the arms of her sister, and surrounded by her mother and father, on December 18, 2016.

Kenzie Rose, as she was affectionately known, showed us all what is important in life – family, spending time together, enjoying our blessings, and not taking a single moment for granted. We all hope to make her proud by continuing to live as she would want us to live. To honor her memory, we are organizing this triathlon to raise awareness for childhood cancer and as a fundraiser to support The Mackenzie Rose Foundation. The Foundation was incorporated at the beginning of the year to provide essential items to families experiencing unexpected admissions to the pediatric oncology unit at Children’s National Medical Center. With your generosity, we will be able to fill and deliver care packages containing everyday essentials directly to the hospital. These “Kenzie Kits” will allow parents to spend more time with their sick child instead of worrying about picking up a toothbrush, notebook, or snack - all things that are often forgotten with an unexpected hospital admission. All proceeds

from this event will fund the Foundation to help provide comfort and support to other families dealing with this devastating disease.

The Annapolis Ten Mile Run is a 10-mile foot race organized by the Annapolis Striders, Inc., a 1000 member, all volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Established in 1978 in Annapolis, Maryland, the club promotes physical fitness and mental well-being through distance running. The race is conducted according to the road racing guidelines of the Road Runners Club of America.

The race has been listed as one of the top ten 10-mile races in the country by Runner’s World Magazine. It is a beautiful run through historic Annapolis and over the Severn River. We celebrated our 50th annual running on August 24, 2025. A comprehensive history of the race, compiled by Club Historian Dan Symancyk, can be found here: https://www.annapolisstriders.org/the-history-of-the-annapolis-ten-mile-run-1976-2025/.

The Annapolis Ten Mile Run has been selected as the 2026 RRCA Maryland State 10 Mile Championship! We are grateful for the recognition of our continued commitment to excellence.

Volunteer

Hundreds of volunteers are needed to put on this event. If you have family or friends willing to help out, and get a great 2026 Volunteer’s shirt, please let us know. TO VOLUNTEER: Email Eva Coale, our volunteer coordinator, at [email protected].

On Sunday, September 13, 2026, Stef Ripple will host its 10th Annual Stefanie Ashdown Memorial “Do Your Best” 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk. Our mission is to:

• Provide hope, encouragement and support for ovarian cancer patients and their families

• Spread ovarian cancer awareness

• Share the principles of Stef’s life; be thankful, be helpful, be kind.

This race is our major fundraiser. Funds raised through this race will be used to continue our mission of supporting ovarian cancer patients and their families. More information about our initiatives we have in place to meet Stef Ripple’s mission can be found on our website at stefripple.org and on our Facebook page facebook.com/stefripple.

Thank you for your consideration to support the Stefanie Ashdown Memorial “Do Your Best” 5k and 1 Mile Walk!

ASK THE RACE DIRECTOR LIVE 6PM THURSDAY NIGHT https://youtube.com/live/rlvIJ1Q71x0?feature=share

Your Athlete Guide is up to date and ready for you! Take some time and look over all of the details for your event! Our Half Marathon and 10k will notice a small change around Mile 2 (you run straight to Bladen then right on College to the circle, instead of Northwest). The Guide can also be found at www.NaptownRun.com

BUT our 5k should REALLY take a look. A whole new course for you this year, so that you join with the excitement of the other runners! And be sure to note that you START at 740, so be there and be ready to go with everyone else at 730!!

We've also got some exciting things lined up for the Holiday themed run, with Santa Hats for all and a visit by the Big Man himself!!! We also have a WHITE ELEPHANT gift exchange. Bring a present (under $10) and leave it under the tree for another runner. Wrapped, unwrapped (though let's face it, they are better wrapped), whatever.

The only thing we ask if that IF YOU BRING A PRESENT, THEN YOU CAN TAKE A PRESENT. We hope that everyone enjoys this and that everyone who wants to participate can do so (honor system here folks....).

ASK THE RACE DIRECTOR LIVE

Be sure to join us by clicking the link below, or check out the Rev3 YouTube Channel on THURSDAY AT 6PM (EST) to ask any questions you may have! We will talk about the changes to the course mentioned above, and talk through the White Elephant Gift Exchange, and answer any of your burning questions! Join us at https://youtube.com/live/rlvIJ1Q71x0?feature=share

Join us on December 20th for a HOLIDAY HUSTLE themed event! Show off your holiday spirit and join us on Saturday, December 20th, 2025 as we Run Naptown! The Half Marathon, 10k, or 5k distances are the perfect way to wrap up your year of running, with our USATF certified half marathon course. Set your PR for 2025 as we start from the US Naval Academy and travel in to downtown Annapolis, finally venturing out to the Baltimore-Annapolis trail (for the half marathon).

This year we are partnered with the FRIENDS OF ANNE ARUNDEL TRAILS to help their mission in promoting, protecting and enhancing the multimodal trails of Anne Arundel County.

Be sure to show off your Holiday Cheer this year, as we will be giving out Santa Caps to all! Prizes for the most festive runners will also be given out too! We can't wait to spend the holiday with you!! And who knows, we might have a special visitor for the young at heart to wish us all a Happy Holiday!

Also check out our White Elephant program this year! When you join us for the festivities, and you bring a gift for someone else, you can also TAKE a gift from the White Elephant table! Who knows what you will get. (We do ask that you only take a gift if you've brought a gift to exchange)

Start Location: USNA Stadium - 550 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD

HALF MARATHON/10K Start Time 0730 am

5k Start Time 0740 UPDATED TIME!!!!!