2020 Baltimore Running Festival To Be Run Virtually
The Baltimore Running Festival experienced a lot of challenges over the course of 20 years. We launched in the shadows of national uncertainty as our country was in the early aftermath of 9/11…. but we ran.
The tragedy of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings required the entire running industry to re-evaluate safety plans for both runners and spectators… but we ran.
Our amazing Baltimore Orioles won the AL East crown in 2014 and made an exhilarating post-season run, forcing last-second marathon contingency planning and potential course changes… but we ran.
This year countless heroes have helped the city and our great state battle the COVID 19 pandemic. After assessing the current status of the novel virus both at a local and national level, it’s apparent the situation remains fluid and a potential safety threat… we will run this year, but it will have to be apart.
There are still too many unknowns about the novel pandemic to safely conduct a large running event so the 2020 Baltimore Running Festival must switch to a virtual event.
Earlier this month, we announced we would postpone our official 20th Anniversary to next year in order to celebrate the milestone in true Charm City and Corrigan Sports fashion. And with today’s announcement about the impossibility of hosting a live event, we’re releasing the updated design of our finisher’s medal which reflects the Baltimore community’s collective efforts to endure these challenging times.
The design featuring the canons as well as the US and Maryland flags flying over Ft. McHenry symbolizes both the history of our great city and the powerful bond of the running community. We are indeed “stronger together” so all participants, regardless of distance, will receive the same iconic crab medal with its unique opening outer shell and unifying message and imagery on the inside. Our 2020 race shirt design will be released at a later date.
This isn’t the decision any of us wanted to make, yet in many ways in was ultimately the only decision just like every major race throughout the world in 2020. We know a virtual run can never replace the unique Charm City experience of entire neighborhoods cheering you along your route on race day. Nothing can replace making that turn on to Pratt Street and that final kick to glory.
But we all must make temporary sacrifices in order to be stronger. And we will do this together, like we have since day one of Maryland’s greatest running event. We look forward to 2021, where we will have a new appreciation for the challenges we’ve overcome and once again be STRONGER TOGETHER.
Sincerely,
The team at Corrigan Sports Enterprises
