Frederick Women's Distance Festival

About

About the Women's Distance Festival

In 1979, the RRCA started the Women’s Distance Festival series in response to the lack of distance running events in the Olympics 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 rights 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.

The Maryland Women's Distance Festival Series is sponsored by the Maryland/DC RRCA and its participating clubs. Women who complete four or more of the races in the series are eligible to receive the WDF Participation Award at the annual WDF celebration. Runners must fill out the participation form at the end of the season in order to be considered for the award.

The Frederick Women's Distance Festival is directed by an RRCA Certified Race Director.

About the Frederick Steeplechasers

The Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club has been supporting runners in the Frederick community since 1975. With a strong core commitment to the Frederick community, the Steeplechasers organize four Signature Races benefiting community causes, donating over $62,000 in 2025 to the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County, the Lincoln Elementary School Panther Running Club, Blessings in a Backpack, City Youth Matrix, and the FSRC Memorial Scholarship Fund.

In support of local non-profits, the Steeplechasers offer timing, course marking, and promotion services to local nonprofit races The club also provides free training programs to its members, fitness, and wellness educational programs, and events and opportunities to challenge runners of all abilities to improve fitness and performance.

Who We Help

Proceeds of the Frederick Women’s Distance Festival, minus essential expenses, are donated to the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County.

The Women's Giving Circle of Frederick County brings women together who share common philanthropic goals to benefit women and their dependents. Through the power of collective giving, the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County provides grants to local nonprofits that empower women facing challenging circumstances.

Since its founding in 2006, the WGC has awarded over $3,500,000 to Frederick County nonprofit organizations that aid women in need. The Giving Circle grant awarded $290,000 in 2026.