Events
Race Website
Additional race information can be found at http://alleganycofca.org/.
Place
Cumberland, MD US 21502
Description
NOV 7th status update: We still have many t-shirts remaining! However, some sizes are getting low. We can no longer guarantee all shirt sizes for subsequent registrations. We'll do our best to provide an alternate size if needed.
This is the 6th Annual Race hosted by the Allegany County FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) to generate scholarship funding to send more students to local and regional FCA camps. Students that attend these camps often have life changing experiences, so we do not want cost to prevent someone from attending! The race include 10K, 5K, and 1K fun run/ walk options. We are looking for competitive runners as well as casual runners/walkers for our 1K. All ages are welcome and encouraged!
The race's name (Narrow Way) has dual meaning. The race course follows the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) Trail through a steep sided valley west of Cumberland called 'The Narrows'. Narrow Way also references the path to eternal life, "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it" (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).
The start/finish will still be in front of the stage in the Canal Place Festival Grounds. Canal Place is a charming public space, speckled with small businesses and restaurants located at the intersection of two celebrated trails, the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). The C&O canal towpath extends 184.5 miles to Washington DC, winding alongside the Potomac River for much of its length. The Visitor Center for the C&O Canal National Park is also located at Canal Place (https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm). The GAP Trail follows the former path of the Western Maryland Railroad and a branch of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad 148 miles to Pittsburgh, PA. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (https://wmsr.com/) still shares the GAP corridor between Cumberland and Frostburg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaOAiQ-WRd0). Most of the GAP is crushed stone. However, the GAP is paved between Cumberland and the trestle bridge west of the Narrows (~2.5 miles).
There are two good routes to access Canal Place coming from the East: 1) I68 to Exit 43B (MD51/Industrial Boulevard/Airport). There is parking on the left at the end of the exit ramp under I-68. 2) I68 to Exit 43C (Downtown), turn left of W Harrison St, cross intersection into Canal Place. Public parking is on the right & overflow parking is available is also available on the SW corner of Baltimore St & Mechanic St (one block west of the Canal Place entrance).
The best route to access Canal Place from the West: I68 to Exit 43C (Downtown), turn left on Queen City Drive, turn L at the 1st stoplight on W Harrison St, continue on W Harrison St to Canal Place. Public parking is on the right and overflow parking is available is also available on the SW corner of Baltimore St & Mechanic St (one block west of the Canal Place entrance).
There are many lodging options in Cumberland, including Fairfield Inn & Suites (located adjacent to Canal Place) @ 21 North Wineow Street Cumberland, Maryland 21502 (301-722-0340); Hampton Inn @ 109 Welton Dr, Cumberland, MD 21502 (301-729-4028); Holiday Inn Express & Suites @ 1076 National Hwy, La Vale, MD 21502 (301-729-4800); Comfort Inn & Suites @ 1216 National Hwy, La Vale, MD 21502 (301-729-6400); and Best Western Braddock Inn @1268 National Hwy, La Vale, MD 21502 (301-729-3300).
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
REGISTRATION DISCOUNT INFO
Registration discounts are available for students and for families! Race managers reserve the right to reject registrations if abuse of this discount is suspected.
Kids under 11 may also register free for the 1K (Fun Run) on race day (i.e., no online registration). If kids under 11 wish to participate in a timed event, they must use the 'under 17' student discount registration.
There are two Student Discounts, Under 17 and College Student. Both student discounts reduce the registration fee $15. Student discounts (under 17) are obtained by signing up for an event using the 'Student Pricing' option for each event. College discounts are obtained by using a coupon code DURING registration. Students must first request the code and send a picture of their student ID to (301-268-8572 or 240-522-5442).
Our Family Discount (for immediate adult family members only, including spouse, sibling, or child/parent) will reduce the fee $10 per registrant for the 2nd through 5th family member for a maximum savings of $40 (if registering 5 runners). To request a family discount, simply select the 'Multi-Person Pricing' option at the bottom of the sign-up page.
Please note that family discounts and student discounts can not be processed in the same invoice. Please register your student(s) separately if you are also seeking a family discount for multiple adults.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
All events will start and finish at Canal Place in Downtown Cumberland MD, beside the C&O Canal Visitor's Center. After crossing Baltimore Ave (thanks to help from the Cumberland Police Department), runners will proceed along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail and turn-around at locations marked (also w/ attendants) for each event (1K, 5K, 10K) to return along the same route. The GAP trail is paved for the entire 5K & 1K race course. The 10K course includes approximately a mile of crushed stone on the west side of the Narrows. The GAP trail's gentle slope winds along the Will's Creek aqueduct, passes under city streets, and crosses the tracks of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad several times as it extends westward through the Cumberland Narrows.
RACE DETAILS
Race Site:
Canal Place
13 Canal Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
(Public Parking Available on-site)
Additional (free) parking:
Friendship Haven Church
22 N Mechanic Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
Saturday Schedule:
7:30am - 8:00am: Late Race Registrations/ Kids under-11 1K (Fun Run) free registrations
7:30am - 8:15am: Runner Packet Pickup
8:30am: Race starts by group in order of event; 10K, 5K, 1K
10:00am: Estimated race finish by all events
Awards Ceremony Immediately following the event for 5K & 10K
Awards:
Top Overall male and female runners for both the 5k & 10K will receive new running shoes from Personal Best.
Top Age Level male and female runners for both the 5K & 10K will receive a medal (Top overall runners ineligible for this award) Age levels will be under 11 & under, 12-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over.
DIRECTION DETAILS
From I68 West:
Exit I-68 at 43A for Johnson St toward WV 28 Alt
Continue onto S Johnson St 0.2 mi
At light, turn right onto Greene St
In 459ft, turn left to stay on Greene St
In 0.1 mi, Greene St turns right and becomes Baltimore St
In 269 ft, turn right onto Canal St (public parking lot is on the left) ---or---
(or, turn left into Friendship Haven Church' lot for parking)
From 168 East:
Take exit 43C toward Downtown
At Stop, turn left onto W Harrison St (signs for Tourist Info)
In 404 ft, continue through light onto Canal Place
In 246ft, turn right on Canal St (public parking lot is immediately on the right) ---or---
(or continue on Canal St to cross Baltimore St into Friendship Haven Church's lot for parking)
RACE BENEFIT
Proceeds from the Narrow Way 5K-10K will benefit attendees to local and regional FCA Camps through scholarships.
Directions
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