Organizers say up to 4500 people will be in Frederick this weekend for the event.
Frederick, Md (KM) Local officials got together on Wednesday at the Frederick Social restaurant for a kickoff news conference for the 2023 Frederick Running Festival.
Corrigan Sports, Enterprises, which is organizing the event, says up to 4500 people from 35 states as well as Great Britain and Australia, will be attending.
This Running Festival marks its 21st year in Frederick. Executive Director Dave Ziedellis with Visit Frederick says this event has a local economic impact. “This event, the annual economic impact is over $3 million on an annual basis. And in it’s 21 years, it’s approaching $50-million of total economic impact.”
But he says it goes beyond just runners coming to Frederick to race. “And when people are coming from other states and other countries, they stay multiple days. They take longer trips. They stay in hotels. They frequent our restaurants. they shop in our downtowns. So this is a high impact tourism driving event,” Ziedellis says.
The Frederick Running Festival gets underway on Saturday, May 6th at 5:00 PM at the Fairgrounds on East Patrick Street with the Kids Fun Run followed by the Twilight 5K beginning at 6:00 PM. The Half-Marathon starts at 7:00 AM on Sunday, May 7th. The 13-mile course starts in front of the Fairgrounds on East Patrick, and goes up to East Street and then to New Design Road near Harry Grove Stadium. Runners then travel up Market Street, and then head to 6th Street and Bentz Streets, through Baker Park, Hood College and Frederick Health Hospital. From there, runners head up Trail Avenue, Sharpes Lane, Fairview Avenue, 13th Street, Market Street, and 16th Street to Schiefferstadt Boulevard. They finish up by running down Monocacy Boulevard, Monroe Avenue, and enter Highland Street. The finish line is in front of the stage at the Fairgrounds.
Some of the proceeds from the race will benefit two local non-profits: Community Living and the Frederick Rescue Mission.
But some runners will be raising money as they race. One of these charity chasers will help with the “What Would Stew Dew” fund in honor of Frederick Police Lieutenant Andrew “Stew”: Alcorn, who died suddenly in the summer of 2021. Officer Tony Lawson and Sergeant Joe Palkovic will be running the Half Marathon; and for every person they pass, Corrigan Sports Enterprise will donate $1 to the “What Would Stew Dew” fund. “This is just another way of supporting Stew’s legacy and this fund that will give back to the community, the law enforcement community, children in need in our community, and other areas,” says Jennifer Alcorn, Lieutenant Alcorn’s widow, who spoke at the news conference. . “Because that’s what he would have done.”
In another charity chasing event, Dfc. David Sowers will be running to benefit Special Olympics. For every one he passes while racing in the Half Marathon, Corrigan Sports Enterprises will donate $1 to Special Olympics. “Dfc. Amber Owens in the back, thanks for this. She brought me in about two years ago with Special Olympics. She’s been a part of it for a long time. She brought me in, and I got to go to a conference this year, and it really opens your eyes. So for you guys to allow us to be part of this to spread the message of Special Olympics is really grateful. It’s going to be fun,” Dfc Sowers said.
The Frederick Running Festival began in 2002 as the Frederick Marathon. It took place at Harry Grove Stadium and the participants ran in the snow and cold weather.
By Kevin McManus