Froggy Hollow 5 & 9 presented by Altra

Little Bennett Campground
23705 Frederick Road
Clarksburg, MD US 20871

ENTRY FEES

9-Hour Challenge:
$70 – through May 31 ($50 per participant for relay)
$80 – June 1 through Sep 30 ($55 per participant for relay)
$90 – Oct 1 through Jan 19 ($60 per participant for relay)
$100 – Jan 20 through race day or until race sells out ($65 per participant for relay)

5-Hour Challenge:
$60 – through May 31 ($45 per participant for relay)
$70 – June 1 through Sep 30 ($50 per participant for relay)
$80 – Oct 1 through Jan 19 ($55 per participant for relay)
$90 – Jan 20 through race day or until race sells out ($60 per participant for relay)

"More Than a 4-Miler"
$45 – Oct 1 through Jan 19
$50 – Jan 20 through race day or until race sells out

Race registration fees (and the processing charge from RunSignup) are not refundable. These funds are used to pay for race premiums, permits, supplies, staffing, and other costs incurred before, during, and after the event is held. To be consistent and fair to everyone we cannot make exceptions to this policy.

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. The rain date is set as February 10th, 2024. Please read our entire weather policy for more information and details.

NEW THIS YEAR: RELAY OPTION FOR 9 AND 5-HOUR CHALLENGES!

We are excited to announce that we have added a relay division for both the 9-Hour Challenge and the 5-Hour Challenge. Relay teams can consist of as few as 2 and as many as 5 participants and will have awards 3 deep for each distance (see award section below).

For Result Purposes: This is a RELAY meaning 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 1, 2024 from 4 PM to 7 PM
Charm City Run Frederick
925 West 7th St.
Frederick, MD 21701

Friday, February 2, 2024 from 4 PM to 7 PM
Charm City Run Gaithersburg
255 Kentlands Blvd
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Saturday, February 3, 2024 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

9-Hour Challenge, 5-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

9-Hour Challenge Relay and 5-Hour Challenge Relay Team Awards (for each event):
Top 3 Teams (regardless of genders/mix/makeup)

• 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 (vegan options available):
  
  
  • Salt Stick Hydration
  • Gu gels
  • coffee
  • tea
  • broth (vegan option)
  • pickle juice
  • pickles
  • Lay's classic chips
  • Oreos
  • gummy snacks
  • trail mix
  • PB&J sandwiches
  • oranges
  • bananas
  • candied ginger
  • cup of noodles (vegan option)

• Comfy race premiums with race logo.
  
     
   

• Post race chili bar with vegetarian 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.
  
  
  
• Locally hand-crafted overall & age group 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 should have a light to get around the starting area and should plan to start the race with a light. 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.  A wide red ribbon will be placed at junctions or trails not a part of the race.  Bright yellow signs labeled with the CCR Logo and arrows will also be placed at all junctions on the course, with wrong-way signs on trails that are not a part of the race.  Additionally, all trails and trail junctions within Little Bennett Regional Park are signed with permanent signs by the park.

Event Alert System:
We have implemented a color-coded Event Alert System (EAS) for Froggy Hollow 5 & 9 that will communicate the status of course conditions on race day. The levels range from Low (green) to Moderate (yellow) to High (red) to Extreme (black) based on the weather and other course conditions. On race day, the current EAS status will be communicated via color-coded flags at the finish area.

All participants should familiarize themselves with the EAS prior to the race, remain alert for directions from race staff, and take precautions to prepare properly for varying weather or course conditions on race day.

TRAINING GROUPS

At Charm City Run our goal is to safely train people from the new runner to the advanced marathoner. Our coaches and your fellow runners will help you reach your goals - whether you are aiming to finish your first 5K or achieve a new personal record.

The journey is just as important as the race and we want to make it a fun and enjoyable experience. This is why we believe a group atmosphere is the best way to train for a long run. We strive to help you achieve your goal safely through a gradual increase in your training.

For more information about Froggy Hollow Training Groups click here.

BENEFICIARY

A portion of the 2024 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/

Want to help out? We couldn't do it without our many volunteers! There are lots of opportunities to get involved at the Froggy Hollow 5 & 9 presented by Altra. 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!

We want to be completely transparent with our policies regarding refunds, deferrals, and cancellations. If you are interested in signing up for this race please read this section carefully prior to registering. All interested participants will be shown these policies during the registration process and must agree to adhere to them in order to be admitted to the event.

Refunds

Race registration fees (and the processing charge from RunSignup) are not refundable. These funds are used to pay for race premiums, permits, supplies, staffing, and other costs incurred before, during, and after the event is held. To be consistent and fair to everyone we cannot make exceptions to this policy.

Deferrals

We offer the option for registrants to defer their entry to the following year's event based on Charm City Run's General Deferral fee schedule:

Until January 19, 2024 (2 weeks prior to race day) - $15.00
January 20, 2024 - February 2, 2024 - $30.00

 Registrants may defer their entry by going into their profile on runsignup.com and choosing "Manage Registration" next to the race.

Transfers

We offer the option for registrants to transfer their entry to another eligible participant up to February 2, 2024. After this deadline passes we are unable to allow transfers as race materials have been prepped for the event. Again, to be consistent and fair to everyone we cannot make exceptions to this policy. Registrants may transfer their entry to another registrant by going into their profile on runsignup.com and choosing "Manage Registration" next to the race.

Cancellation

2020 showed just how unpredictable our world can be, and the running industry was certainly no exception. We know that it's important to have as much information at your disposal when making a decision whether to sign up for a race or not, and we want you to know exactly what your options will be should the 2024 in-person race not be able to take place as originally planned. Our regular cancellation policy found here covers scenarios that could prompt the cancellation of an event including weather, local emergencies, public health emergencies, etc. If you have any questions about our cancellation policy please email us at events@charmcityrun.com PRIOR to registering.

The Froggy Hollow 5 & 9 presented by Altra 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 eight 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.

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