Race Details
Montgomery County Parks MNCPPC has the ultimate say over our event. In the event of extreme weather, the County can/will pull our event permit causing us to cancel the in-person event. Please read our entire weather policy for more information and details. Please note: THE 2025 RACE DOES NOT HAVE A RAIN DATE.
RACE DISTANCES
This year, Charm City Run will once again offer a 5 and 9-Hour Challenge presented by Altra. For runners and walkers just looking to hit the trails for a little while, the "More Than a 4-Miler" is back again this year! In addition, we will again have a relay division for both the 5 and the 9-Hour Challenge.
For Result Purposes: For the RELAY option, only one team member will be running a lap at a time. Relay team members can exchange whenever they want within the designated exchange area. A team can determine how they want to break up the running. There is no set amount of time or distance that a relay member needs to cover.
PACKET PICKUP
Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 4 PM to 7 PM
Charm City Run Frederick
925 West 7th St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Friday, February 7, 2025 from 4 PM to 7 PM
Charm City Run Columbia
7090 Deepage Drive
Columbia, MD 21045
Saturday, February 8, 2025 starting at 5 AM
Little Bennett Campground - Amphitheater
23705 Frederick Rd
Clarksburg, MD 20871
*Packet Pickup locations and times are subject to change. Final Packet Pickup information will be sent in pre-race emails.
If you want to pick up someone else's packet you must present their pre-race email that contains their QR code. We appreciate your cooperation with this.
RACE DAY TIMELINE
5 AM On-site packet pickup opens
5:45 AM Pre-race announcements pertaining to 9-Hour Challenge and Relay
6 AM 9-Hour Challenge and Relay begins
7:45 AM Pre-race announcements pertaining to 5-Hour Challenge and Relay
8 AM 5-Hour Challenge and Relay begins
10 AM "More Than a 4-Miler" begins
11 AM Post race food and campfire at the Amphitheatre
1 PM Timing stops for 5-Hour
3 PM Timing stops for 9-Hour
AWARDS
5-Hour Challenge, 9-Hour Challenge and "More Than a 4-Miler" Solo Awards (for each event):
Overall: Top 3 Male, Top 3 Female, Top 3 Non-binary
Age Group: Top 1 M/F in 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over
5-Hour Challenge Relay and 9-Hour Challenge Relay Team Awards (for each event):
Top 3 Teams (regardless of genders/mix/makeup; maximum team size: 3 runners)
- Everyone runs the same loop, one way.
- You must finish the entire loop before the race cutoff time for the lap to count (5-Hour: 1PM; 9-Hour: 3PM)
- Awards will be announced shortly after each race concludes.
AMENITIES
All registrants will have access to:
- Stocked aid station on course in the Race Village included but not limited to (vegan options available):
- Electrolyte drink
- Gels
- Coffee
- Tea
- Broth (vegan option)
- Pickle juice
- Pickles
- Chips
- Cookies
- Other candy options
- Trail mix
- PB&J sandwiches
- Fresh fruit
- Comfy race premiums with race logo
- Post-race chili bar with gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options available.
- Product demos! Test out Altra shoes while you run. Make sure to stop by the vendor tents in the race village.
- Finisher medal for every participant.
- Awards by Clay by Laura
LODGING
Stay On Site:
Little Bennett Campground
23705 Frederick Road
Clarksburg, MD US 20871
CLICK HERE FOR RESERVATIONS
Little Bennett Campground has select spots open for camping during Froggy Hollow 5 & 9! Check out their website to reserve your spot now. These spots will go quickly, so don't wait.
DROP BAGS
All 9-Hour participants may bring a chair and 1 drop bag to stash along Loop E, also referred to as Runner's Alley, in your designated spot. You will have access to your bag after completing each loop and when you are finished running. More information will be available as we get closer to race day.
All Froggy Hollow participants will be able to self-crew from the race village area. This is on a first-come basis and is not monitored by the race organizers, so be smart about what you stash here. Please be considerate of others and take only the space that you need, for example; a camp chair is great but a tent will not be allowed. No one will be allowed to set up along the course in the race village area. For more information and questions on this, please contact the race organizers.
IMPORTANT: The race organizers and Little Bennett Campground are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Please be careful and smart about what you store in your drop bag. Suggestions include extra shoes & socks, clothing, nutrition, etc. Keep your cash, cards, and other valuables LOCKED in your car.
HEADLAMPS
All 9-Hour Challenge participants are required to have a light to get around the starting area and on the race course until Sunrise. Sunrise is around 7:15, but with clouds it may still be pretty dark, especially in the woods.
COURSE
Course Map:
The 4.3-mile course loop will begin and end at Loop E of the Little Bennett Campground. Trails utilized are a combination of Acorn Hollow Trail, Beaver Valley Trail, Stoney Brook Trail, W Piedmont Trail, Tobacco Barn Trail, Windy Ridge Trail, Browning Run Trail and Bennett Ridge Trail.
**Pending final approvals. Route is subject to change at any point. Please follow course markings and volunteer/staff instructions on event day.
Course Marking:
The entire course will be marked with pink surveyor flags stamped with a black CCR Logo and pink flagging tape in the trees.
TRAINING GROUPS
This training program will prepare you for either the 4+ Mile (one loop) or the 5 or 9 hour (multiple loops) trail training for our Froggy Hollow race on Saturday, February 8th, 2025. Training is available out of our Frederick or Timonium Charm City Run locations.
You will meet twice a week for coach led supported group runs with your fellow runners and coach – once for a speed workout and once for a long run. In addition to following a weekly training plan, you will receive weekly emails with motivation, access to an expert coach, running education on topics including hydration, injury prevention, and more.
To register for Froggy Hollow training click here.
If you have any questions regarding Froggy Hollow training please email, natalie@charmcityrun.com for more details.
BENEFICIARY
A portion of the 2025 event proceeds will benefit the Montgomery Parks Foundation to support their mission to preserve and enhance Montgomery County Parks.
The Montgomery Parks Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that champions Montgomery County Parks cultivating financial support and public engagement of county residents and businesses as members, donors, sponsors and advocates.
For more information on Montgomery Parks Foundation and the work they do, please visit their website at: https://montgomeryparksfoundation.org/
