WELCOME TO THE 50TH BWC 5K!
Race Location
Power Plant Live!
34 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202 US
View Location on Map
Events
#charmcityrun
#baltimorewomensclassic
Charm City Run is thrilled to host the 50th MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K presented by New Balance on Sunday, June 22, 2025!
The Baltimore Women's Classic 5K has a long legacy as the second-oldest all-women's race in the United States, traveling down some of Baltimore's most recognizable streets and finishing at Power Plant Live! with a post-race party. We can't wait to welcome women of all ages and backgrounds to this iconic Baltimore City event (or virtually!).
AMENITIES
Participants in the 2025 MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K receive the following:
- A custom 2025 finisher medal (reveal coming soon!)
- New Balance race T-shirt (reveal coming soon!)
- A rose at the finish line (in-person race only)
- Cool towel at the finish line (in-person race only)
- Snack spread and beverages at the post-race party (in-person race only)
- Complimentary alcoholic beverage for participants 21+ (in-person race only)
- Support, camaraderie, and encouragement through a network of strong & successful women
Want to run for free? With our referral program you can have your registration fee refunded!
Here is how it works:
1. Register online for the 2025 MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K presented by New Balance.
2. Receive a unique referral link via your confirmation page and email.
3. Share this link with your friends, family or post on social media.
4. After 5 registrants sign up using your unique referral link you will automatically receive a refund of your registration fee.
BIB MAILING OPTION
If you are participating in the in-person race and can not make it to the race packet pickup sessions, or if you simply prefer having the convenience, you may choose to have your race bib and shirt mailed to you for an additional fee. The bib mailing option will close on June 8th at 11:59 pm.
Virtual participants will have their race packet mailed to them automatically at no additional charge.
Please note: If you select the bib mailing option you cannot defer your entry to the following year after the bib mailing cutoff date of June 8th.
PACKET PICKUPS - UPDATED DATES AND TIMES
Pre-race packet pick-up dates and times can be found below:
Monday, June 16th from 4PM - 7PM
Charm City Run - Bel Air
126 S. Main Street #2
Bel Air, MD 21014
Tuesday, June 17th from 4PM - 7PM
Charm City Run - Annapolis
87 Forest Plaza
Annapolis, MD 21401
Wednesday, June 18th from 3PM - 7PM
Charm City Run - Fells Point
1500 Thames Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
Thursday, June 19th from 3PM - 7PM
Charm City Run - Columbia
7090 Deepage Drive
Columbia, MD 21045
Friday, June 20th from 6PM - 8PM
Charm City Run - Timonium
1313 York Road
Timonium, MD 21093
Saturday, June 21st from 9AM - 2PM
Charm City Run - Timonium
1313 York Road
Timonium, MD 21093
Sunday, June 22nd (race day) from 5:30AM - 7:15AM
Power Plant Live!
34 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
*Packet Pickup locations and times are subject to change. Final Packet Pickup information will be sent in pre-race emails.
**You may pick up packets for friends and family, but you must show their QR code email at packet pickup (they can forward it to you after they receive). This email is sent the week of packet pickup.
CELEBRATE BWC'S 50TH WITH US!
We are so excited for the 50th BWC, and can't wait to celebrate all the way through the finish line. We have lots of fun things planned that will be posted here and on our social media soon!
BWC LAUNCH MORNING - May 4, 2025
This year the MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K presented by New Balance is celebrating her 50th year! Charm City Run invites you to a morning that will commemorate the occasion and get you ready to participate in this historic race. All women are welcome to join us to kick off the season!
The event will begin at 9:00AM with a Runner & Walker Safety Talk, followed by a 30 minute walk or run, training tips, brunch, and shopping. Our friends from MedStar Health and New Balance will be there to make sure your training kicks off painlessly and in style.
LET US KNOW YOU'RE COMING BY REGISTERING HERE!
PRE-RACE WALKING Q&A - June 19, 2025
We're excited to once again host a Pre-Race Walking Q&A from our Columbia location on Thursday, June 19th. We will meet at CCR Columbia at 6:00pm for some electrolytes and tips from MedStar Health, and then will head out on a walk where you'll have the chance to ask our staff any questions you have about race day - Parking? Nutrition? Good brunch spots for post-race? We've got you covered!
When we get back, we'll enjoy shopping the Columbia store with our friends from New Balance, and a fan favorite - freeze pops!
LET US KNOW YOU'RE COMING BY REGISTERING HERE!
BWC’S 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY, HOSTED BY NEW BALANCE - June 20, 2025
Join Charm City Run and New Balance to celebrate the MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K presented by New Balance's 50TH BIRTHDAY!
We're thrilled to celebrate BWC's 50th as the second-oldest all-women's race in the country. Join us at our beautiful flagship Timonium location for a party and packet pickup hours starting at 6:00PM. The theme is Maryland, so we'll have all your favorites: mini crab cakes, Berger cookies, and more!
Our friends at New Balance will be there to join in the celebration with giveaways.
RSVP FOR BWC'S 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY!
PARKING
While numerous parking options are available for race BWC participants and spectators, having a plan prior to race day will help avoid early morning headaches.
Nearby Garages:
-
Harbor Park Garage (1 minute walk) - Click here to reserve discounted parking at Harbor Park Garage
-
Pier 5 Parking (9 minute walk)
-
Premium Parking - Calvert Street (6 minute walk)
-
LAZ Inner Harbor Garage (5 minute walk)
-
Baltimore Street Garage (6 minute walk)
You can also check for other available garages on the Power Plant Live! SpotHero Parking Page to reserve your spot ahead of time (just click below).
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
5:30 AM - Onsite registration and packet pick-up begins at Power Plant Live!
7:20 AM - National Anthem
7:25 AM - Pre-race pep talk from Marilyn Bevans, the first Black American woman to run a sub-3 hour marathon
7:30 AM - Race Start
9:00 AM - Awards Ceremony
POST-RACE PARTY!
After you hit the finish line the party begins!
- Your bib number includes a coupon for a complimentary drink. You can redeem this ticket at the event bar near the main stage.
- The Rosalie is your BWC Signature Cocktail, named after our beloved caricature and in honor of a BWC tradition - a rose at the finish for every woman who crosses the line. The Rosalie will be offered as a cocktail or a mocktail (vodka/N.A. vodka, cranberry, orange, lime)!
- Snack spread at the post-race party (in-person race only).
- Music on the main PowerPlant Live! stage
- Visit the New Balance and Charm City Run mobile stores to shop great race merchandise and footwear.
This year, Power Plant Live! will be offering an all-you-can-eat post-race brunch. Brunch is $25 per ticket and will include the following options:
- Scrambled Eggs
- Bacon
- Turkey Sausage
- Crispy Breakfast Potatoes
- Cheesy Grits
- Belgian Waffles
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts
- Chicken Tenders
To add the brunch buffet follow these directions:
1. Go to your runsignup.com profile page (runsignup.com/profile).
2. Click on "Manage Registration" to the right of the race listing under your upcoming events.
3. Select "Add-ons" from top menu.
4. Select "Post Race Brunch Buffet".
AWARDS - NEW INCREASED PRIZE MONEY!
Participants in the in-person event are eligible for the following awards:
- Cash prizes for the top three women overall ($500, $250, $150), and to the top master (40+, $150), top grandmaster (50+, $150) and top senior grandmaster (60+, $150)
- Awards to top three finishers in age groups: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+.
Special Recognition and bragging rights for the largest team
Finisher Medals will be given to each participant that completes the 5K
COURSE
Click here for course map.
Bikes, pets, roller skates, scooters, and other wheeled devices (with the exception of jogging strollers) are prohibited on the course. For the safety of all participants headphones are discouraged.
Course Time Limit: The Baltimore Women's Classic 5K has a course time limit of 1 and 1/2 hours (this is calculated from the time your wave crosses the start line).
VIRTUAL RACE INFORMATION
We will again offer a virtual race option in 2025 for those who would like to participate but are not local, or those who would prefer not to join us in-person. Here's how the virtual race works:
- Register for the virtual event, and sign up for text or e-mail notifications
- Your race swag will be available for pickup at our packet pickups, or will be mailed to you at no additional cost. We will begin mailing virtual packets on June 24th.
- You'll receive a text or email (if you opt in) when the virtual race "starts" on June 22nd.
- Run your race and submit your results either by text message or email (if you've opted in) or by heading to the results page here by June 29th at 11:59 PM Eastern Time). Results update in real time as people submit their times. Be sure to take a selfie and post on social media with the hashtag #virtualbwc.
*Virtual race performances are not eligible for the overall event awards.
2025 BWC Training
The BWC Women’s Training Program is presented to prepare you for the MedStar Baltimore Women’s Classic 5K. Our goal is to provide a fun and supportive workout, and to encourage women to embark on a lifelong program of fitness.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2025
- Six Week training program in person or virtually with expert coaches
- Supported group run once a week with planned routes and companionship
- Positive and welcoming atmosphere for walkers and runners of all levels
- Training plan delivered every week with options for all levels
- Nutrition, gear and injury prevention education
- Discount for Charm City Run Retail and Charm City Run Signature Events
- New Balance Training premium
The training is broken into four groups, depending on your own goals and physical condition. Whether you have yet to start a walking program, or are a seasoned runner looking to improve your race time, one of our groups will be right for you. We offer groups for:
- Walkers
- Walker to Runner
- Runners
- Virtual Training Available
- Training starts the week of May 5th, 2025
Our coaches will help you determine the best group for your fitness level. There is a great deal of flexibility—you can alter the workouts to meet your needs—our coaches will help you find the right workout to achieve your personal running/walking goals.
If you have any questions please email our Director of Training, Natalie Ferguson at natalie@charmcityrun.com
BENEFICIARIES
The House of Ruth Maryland leads the fight to end violence against women and their children by confronting the attitudes, behaviors and systems that perpetuate it, and by providing victims with the services necessary to rebuild their lives safely and free of fear.
House of Ruth Maryland was founded in May of 1977 by a coalition of women’s organizations, religious groups, service providers, and elected officials to provide a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and their children. In November of 1977 we opened Baltimore’s first crisis shelter for these victims in a row house on North Calvert Street. The shelter was staffed by one paid staffed person and a voluntary Board of Directors.
In November 1998 a new 84-bed shelter and 6 apartment transitional housing, featuring expanded services and programs, opened. The new shelter has a holistic health and wellness program, including an on-site health clinic staffed by the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.
Today, House of Ruth Maryland is recognized as one of the nation’s most comprehensive domestic violence centers and has a staff of more than ninety. Our voluntary leadership consists of a thirty-member Board of Directors and an Advisory Committee.
Soles for Souls is a 501(3)(c) that primarily supports women who have experienced pregnancy loss due to miscarriage. We use movement, sound and collaboration as the three pillars of healing.
You will be prompted to make an extra donation during the registration process. You will be able to choose which beneficiary you would like your donation to go towards. 100% of extra donations will go directly to the chosen beneficiary. To make a donation without registering click the donation button at the top of this page.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Want to help out? We couldn't do it without our many volunteers! There are lots of opportunities to get involved at the MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K presented by New Balance. Click here to learn more and sign up. Don't forget - volunteers are eligible for our Volunteer Incentive Program where you can earn free entries to your favorite Charm City Run races!
Sponsors
MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5k presented by New Balance: A Charm City Run Signature Event
The MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K presented by New Balance is owned and operated by Charm City Run Events, a race management and production company located in the Baltimore region with races throughout the state of Maryland. Charm City Run Events is committed to providing a unique and supportive race environment to participants of all faces and paces. Like most runners, we live for the spirit of race day. We love watching friends cross their first finish line together and competitive runners hitting that PR. We also love the celebration afterwards (especially if there's a free beer at the finish!). From 5Ks to Half Marathons, Charm City Run Events offers some of the best in racing in the Mid-Atlantic region! For more information, please click here.
With seven store locations around Maryland, Charm City Run is a Running & Walking Specialty company that is committed to fitting every customer in the "right" shoe. If you are training for your next event or just looking for something comfortable to wear day-to-day stop in and check us out! Learn more at charmcityrun.com.
LIVE. GIVE. RUN.
Run with us in: Annapolis | Bel Air | Columbia | Fells Point
Frederick | Rehoboth Beach | Timonium
Train with us | Race with us
Contact Form
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Event Location
Power Plant Live!
34 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202 US
View Location on Map
