6 walking events in Frederick County, Maryland

Join the Frederick community for our 4th Annual St. Joseph's 5K and Fun Run hosted by St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor Catholic Church! We are excited to come together for a fun, family-friendly event that makes a lasting impact! The majority of the proceeds will go towards the restoration of the Historic Church. In addition, a portion of this years proceeds will be donated back to the Food Pantry which is housed in the basement of the historic church.

Whether you're a seasoned runner or a casual walker, or looking for a fun way to support a good cause, this race is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and have a great time. We were so close to reaching 200 participants last year. Help us break the 200 mark! Grab your family, friends or running buddy and come out for a great event! See you at the starting line!

Can't run? You can still help!

• Volunteer on Race Day

• Become a sponsor

• Make a general donation to St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor (be sure to specify 2026 St. Joseph 5K and Fun Run

5K Race

REGISTER EARLY! The first 25 5K participants will be entered into a drawing to receive a $100 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card. The cost for the 5K registration for will increase from $45 to $50 after February 16th, so register now! In order to be guaranteed an official race day t-shirt, please register no later than March 20th.

For the 5K, runners will be timed with chipped bibs and prize medals will be awarded to the top three men and the top top three women in multiple age brackets. In addition, all registered runners will automatically be entered into a drawing to win awesome prizes from some of Frederick's local businesses!

1 Mile Fun Run

The cost for the Fun Run is $25. The more the merrier, though... If you sign-up with a group of 4 or more, each runner will receive a $5 discount. Bring your whole family and have a great time! All Fun Run participants (13 and under) will be awarded a Fun Run ribbon.

Donate to the St. Joseph's Food Pantry

THIS EVENT IS A FOOD DRIVE ALSO! Please bring a canned good or dry food item to donate to St. Joseph Food Pantry that is used to provide food and hope to neighbors in need. In addition to your generous donations, a portion of this years proceeds will be donated back to the Food Pantry which is housed in the basement of the historic church.

Join the Ministry Miles Challenge

Move together. Support the Pastorate. Have fun.

This year’s St. Joseph 5K & Fun Run is launching the Ministry Miles Challenge—a friendly competition inviting parish ministries to form teams and participate together.

Whether you walk, run, or cheer from the sidelines, this is a great way to represent your ministry, enjoy fellowship, and support a parish-wide event.

How It Works:

• Register for the 5K or Fun Run

• Select your ministry team during registration

• Invite others in your ministry to join

• The ministry with the most registered participants will earn a special prize and parish recognition.

Why Join?

• Build community within your ministry

• Encourage healthy movement and fellowship

• Support the Pastorate in a fun, meaningful way

• Walkers, runners, families, and supporters of all ages are welcome. You don’t have to be fast—just willing to participate!

👉 Choose your ministry. Register today. Let’s move together for St. Joseph.

Important Information

Packet Pickup will take place at the Historic Church at St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor on Friday, April 10th from 5-7 PM (strongly encouraged to avoid waiting in line on race day). Please pay attention to signage about packet pick-up for Friday evening. There is a separate parking lot for the historic church that is just a few hundred feet from the main entrance to the church. Road signs will help direct you to the appropriate lot. You may also choose to pickup your packet on race day between 7 and 8 AM in front of the main church near the parking area. If you choose to pickup your packet on race day, please arrive early as to not delay the start of the race.

Race Day Schedule of Events:

7-8 AM: Packet Pickup and On-site registration

8:15 AM: Group Warm-up

8:25 AM: National Anthem

8:30 AM: 5K Race starts

9:15 AM: 1 Mile Fun Run starts

10:00 AM: 5K Awards

See Course Maps:

5K Course Map

1 Mile Fun Run Course Map

Parking: All participants for the 5K and Fun Run should be parked no later than 8:15 the day of the race. If for some reason you arrive after that time, you must enter Manor Woods Road from the New Design Side. Please park in the main parking lot of the church and our volunteers will direct you to the historic church will the race will begin.

Strollers: Strollers are allowed for this event. If you are pushing a stroller, please plan to line up in the back of the starting area for the safety of everyone around. If you will be running with a stroller, please be sure it is a jogging or running stroller.

Pets: Please no pets at this event.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL 6:30AM ON RACE DAY

After 6:30, register on site at the blue check in tent BEGINNING AT 7AM.

8:15AM - 5K race

9:00AM - 1M walk

CHECK IN TIMES:

RUNNER CHECK IN: 7:15-8:00

WALKER CHECK IN: 8:15-8:45

WANT TO RUN WITH YOUR DOG? We welcome your leashed dogs to run or walk the course. Please have your dogs on a 4-6 foot leash - no retractable leashes please. Register as WITH DOG-LIVE 5K RUN so we can easily identify and reward our runners with dogs. Registrants can change this category up until the start of the race. ALL runners with dogs WILL BE eligible for age level awards.

WANT TO WALK THE 5K COURSE? Yes, you can walk the 5K course. Register as 1M LIVE UNTIMED WALK. Check in for walkers is 8:15-9:00. Let us know when you check in that you are walking the 5K course when you check in.

VIRTUAL RACE/WALK DATES:

Friday, April 17 through Monday, April 20

COURSE TYPE: Entire course is within the park grounds and is paved except for small crossing areas that may have light gravel. The event site, check in area and vendor area are on grass and will be wet in the morning. Plan accordingly. The race is run on paved paths with a few gravel crossing sites -- all within the park grounds. Runners will run before walkers so no overlapping will occur.

RACE SHIRTS-LONG SLEEVED:

In an effort to reduce costs associated with this event, we are offering shirts by RESERVATION ONLY. Reserve your shirt when registering to ensure you receive your size. LAST DATE TO REGISTER AND RECEIVE A SHIRT IS MARCH 21 If no shirt is ordered (for on-site participants), the registration fee is reduced by $5.00 at that time. After March 21, the discount does not apply.

CHILDREN AGED 0-10 ARE FREE. There is no option for shirts for these children. If you want to purchase a shirt for a child, email the race director BEFORE April 4 to make arrangements.

ON SITE runners/walkers: ONLY pre-ordered shirts will be distributed at check in. (Must be registered by March 21). There will be NO EXTRA SHIRTS.

VIRTUAL runners/walkers: Shirts are an optional purchase when registering by . AFTER March 21 2026, virtual runners/walkers cannot order shirts.

AWARDS (FOR RUNNERS ON SITE ONLY) - Runners are eligible for overall awards AND age group awards.

Top Overall Male

Top Overall Female

1st, 2nd & 3rd Male Running With Dog

1st, 2nd & 3rd Female Running With Dog

1st & 2nd Male & Female in Age Groups:

60 & Up

50-59

40-49

30-39

20-29

11-19

ON SITE FOOD TRUCKS & VENDORS

FOOD TRUCKS:

TBD

VENDORS

TBD

The 11th Annual Fast & Furriest 5K race and 1M walk to benefit Operation Paws for Homes - an all-breed 501c3 dog rescue - is one of the rescue's largest annual fundraisers.

This year's race is focused on helping dogs diagnosed with heartworm disease, which can be deadly if not treated. These dogs are often the last to leave a shelter -- if they leave at all. The rural shelters we work with do not have the resources to treat these animals who are sick through no fault of their own. Without rescue or adoption from the shelter, the chances are slim they will survive.

Each year, Operation Paws for Homes incurs vast medical costs - in 2025, costs will exceed $150,000. Treating the heartworm positive dogs who are lucky enough to come to the rescue make up about $30,000 - approximately 20% of total medical costs, This event aims to replenish those funds so that we can treat even more dogs. We encourage families, runners, walkers, supporters and anyone interested in helping this organization to join in this fun event.

The race is run on paved paths with a few gravel crossing sites -- all within the park grounds. Runners will run before walkers so no overlapping will occur.

This year our Donate & Dash area will offer only gift cards and gift certificates for various businesses and restaurants. Some gift cards might come with a basket - depending on the donor. The concept is the same though - just donate the D&D suggested amount and take it!

Tell all your friends and family - wherever they are located - they, too, can participate in this event and support the many dogs that need us every single day. Let's make it coast to coast this year! Anyone can participate using a VIRTUAL OPTION. We are excited to host this event again and hope you are just as excited to join us !

The Seton Center 5K is hosted by the Center for Service at Mount St. Mary's University. The Seton Center is the primary non-profit agency serving people in the area of northern Frederick County, Maryland. For more about the Seton Center or to donate directly go to: https://www.setoncenter.org/.

• Runners and walkers are welcome.

• Parking is at the PAC.

• The course begins and ends at the Palmieri Activities Center (the PAC) and will go through the campus.