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Date:
Sat, Apr 04, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Location:
Catoctin Mountain Highway
Thurmont, Maryland
21701
United States
OpenStreetMap Google Maps
Links:
runsignup.com
Tags:
10k 5k Run Trail Walk

Join us for this beginner-friendly low-key trail race at beautiful ThorpeWood in northern Frederick County.

Thorpewood is private property - so this event is your one and only chance to access this beautiful course.

Our low-key races are FREE for Steeplechaser members, so YAY!

Have you ever accidentally gone out for a run and showed up 5 minutes late with a slightly moldy water bottle, or oh no a totally mismatched running outfit?

Have you ever missed a turn and run extra bonus mileage during a training run or a race?

Have you ever skipped a run and shown up at the after party to celebrate?

If so, you too might a trail runner!

If your initial response was, "No way, I don't know the first thing about trail running!" don't worry, we're here to help! Click the sign-up button and we'll walk you through it - no special shoes, gear or clothing required. Just a smile. And being "okay" with a little mud on your shoes. Join us for a wild and crazy idea - mixing running with nature!


You must be a club member on race day in order to be eligible for the 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.

Competition

Both the 5k and the 10k races are part of the FSRC Grand Prix.

Special Thank You

This FREE event is made possible by a partnership between the FSRC and the Merle Thorpe, Jr. Charitable Trust (MTCT), owner of ThorpeWood, LLC. MTCT’s mission is to serve our local and regional non-profit community by offering our property for exploring and recreation and our facilities for meetings, retreats, and Equine Assisted Learning opportunities.

The MTCT is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that accepts charitable contributions to continue their mission.

Please consider visiting the ThorpeWood website and learning more about their history and programs.

Logistics

Parking: Car pooling is recommended and encouraged. As this event is held on private property, please follow the directions of the parking attendants and only park in designated spots.

Course: There is no formal course preview as the event will be held on private property.

Please don't attempt to "preview" the race on your own. We will post a map of the course just prior to the event, with some additional details. The course will be marked with flags/ribbons so you don't need to worry about memorizing the course or getting lost. This is a beginner-friendly event and we will work to ensure everyone to feels comfortable on race day!

The 5k is one single loop, and the 10k will include the 5k loop and a separate, second 5k loop.

We plan to have a volunteer work day at Thropewood a few weeks before the event. If you'd like to get the "lay of the land" this would be a great opportunity to support the Merle Thorpe, Jr. Charitable Trust (MTCT) which has generously donated use of the private property to us on race day!

Timing/Scoring: The race will be chip timed but please make sure that you stay in order as you cross the finish line where a volunteer will scan your bib. We do this as a backup to the chip system.

Water: Water will be provided.

More races nearby

  • Catoctin 50k Trail Run & Half Cat [ultrunr.com] [Register at ultrasignup.com]

    Sat, Jun 20, 2026

    3.3 km from Thurmont
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    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

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  • Run for the Pie 10K [runsignup.com]

    Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM

    Description

    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...

    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.

    3.8 km from Thurmont
    14074 Hoovers Mill Rd, Thurmont, Maryland, 21778, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

    10k Run

  • Friends 10K - 5K and Fun Run/Walk [runsignup.com]

    Sun, Nov 01, 2026 at 9:00 AM

    Description

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    1.6 km from Thurmont
    14274 William Houck Drive, Thurmont, Maryland, 21788, United States
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  • Friends of Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks 10K-5K and Fun Run/Walk [runsignup.com]

    Sun, Nov 01, 2026 at 9:00 AM

    Description

    5K: Paved, rolling 5K among the Fall colors in the beautiful Cunningham Falls State Park. Includes "The Hill". (5K map COMING SOON)

    10K: a challenging double-loop of the paved 5K course among the...

    5K: Paved, rolling 5K among the Fall colors in the beautiful Cunningham Falls State Park. Includes "The Hill". (5K map COMING SOON)

    10K: a challenging double-loop of the paved 5K course among the Fall colors and crisp air in the beautiful Cunningham Falls State Park. (10K map COMING SOON)

    The Fun Run / Walk is an untimed, (1.4-mile) beautiful, family-friendly stroll on the pavement in Cunningham Falls Park, beside 'Big Hunting Creek Lake'.

    NEW: View the Google race course map (includes parking, restrooms, mileposts) COMING SOON

    The races start at 9 am. Sunday, November 1.

    Be advised, registration ends at 9 PM on October 31. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION.

    Reminder: Savings Time ends Sunday at 2 AM. "Fall back"...more time to rest and prepare before the race.

    DIRECTIONS FROM US 15 IN THURMONT: Take MD 77 west 3 miles, then turn left on to Catoctin Hollow Road. Proceed 1.3 miles, then turn right on to William Houck Drive. Just after the Entrance Station on William Houck Drive, turn right into the large parking area (South Beach Circle) and follow guidance for your parking spot.

    Address: 14274 William Houck Drive, Thurmont, MD 21788.

    Lat/Long: 39.6265, -77.4632

    The race is NOT at 14039 Catoctin Hollow Road and it is NOT at the Manor Area. It IS in the William Houck (lake) Area.

    PACKET PICK UPS:

    1. Sat Oct 31 / Halloween. Charm City Run, 925 W. 7th Street, Frederick, MD 21702 (301) 620-8552.

    2. Sun Nov. 1, (race day morning) 8:00 - 8:45 am, In the William Houck Area, 200' from the start line, South Beach Circle parking area. Coordinates: 39.6270, -77.4628

    EVENT RECORDS:

    5K Male: Zachary Newman: 17:33

    5K Female: Helena Rachtan 21:54

    10K Male: Daniel Lemen 35:18

    10K Female: Erin Snyder 41:27

    Proceeds benefit the Friends of Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and enhance the programs and recreational offerings of Maryland's Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks through charitable contributions and in-kind donations.

    Friends of CFGSP's Website: www.cunninghamgambrill.org

    1.6 km from Thurmont
    14274 William Houck Drive, Thurmont, Maryland, 21788, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

    5k 10k Fun Run Run Walk

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