EVENT INFORMATION

THE RACES

HALF MARATHON

Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Start Time: 7:10 AM
Course Time Limit: 3 hours 30 minutes (16:01/mile pace)
Start Line: St. Michaels High School location map
Finish Line: Fremont Street  location map

This race is one of only two Maryland events recognized in the TOP 100 HALF MARATHONS IN THE USA! Our course is built to help you reach a new PR. The first mile takes you through downtown St. Michaels – one of the most picturesque waterfront towns in the region. Once you pass Talbot Street you will run through waterfront communities and down country lanes as you wind your way back towards the downtown area for the finish line celebration. Strollers are not permitted in the half marathon.

What’s included in the half marathon registration?

• One of the flattest and fastest 13.1 in the mid-Atlantic - NO HILLS

• Brooks race premium

• Custom finisher's medal

• Post-race food from local vendors

• Runner tracking with live updates from the course using RaceJoy

• Restrooms at every water stop

• Energy gels on the course

• A complimentary beer for runners 21 yrs and older

• Waterfront after-party with live music and local vendors

PACE GROUPS

SMRF has pace groups available for the half marathon. Beast Pacing will help you hit your goal time without the trouble of monitoring your GPS all morning! Plus, what could be better than running with a group of people shooting for the same time goal as you? Just look for the pacer sign in your assigned corral and join the group. Pace groups available this year include:

• 1hr 40min

• 1hr 50min

• 2hrs

• 2hrs 15min

• 2hrs 30min

• 2hrs 45min

• 3hrs

10K RUN

Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Start Time: 7:20 AM
Course Time Limit: 2 hours 15 minutes (21:44/mile pace)
Start Line: St. Michaels High School location map
Finish Line: Fremont Street location map

The 10K route starts at the St. Michaels School complex and finishes right in the center of downtown St. Michaels. Runners head right down Talbot Street for the first mile before turning down gentle country lanes. You’ll make the Mt. Pleasant Landing loop and take in a few stunning water views before heading back to town and the finish line located in the center of St. Michaels. Finish your run by celebrating at the waterfront after party with live music! Strollers are permitted in the 10K.

What’s included in the 10k registration?

• Brooks race premium

• Custom finisher's medal

• A complimentary beer for runners 21 yrs and older

• Restrooms at all water stops

• Post-race food from local vendors

• A gel stop on the course

• Waterfront after-party with live music and local vendors

5K RUN/WALK

Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Start Time: 7:25 AM
Course Time Limit: 1 hour 15 minutes (24:08/mile pace)
Start Line: St. Michaels High School location map
Finish Line: Fremont Street location map

The 5k route leads runners and walkers down gorgeous country lanes, traverses our breathtaking rails-to-trails runners path with water views, and finishes right in downtown St. Michaels! Strollers are permitted in the 5K.

What’s included in the 5k registration?

• An incredible flat and family friendly course with NO HILLS

• Brooks race premium

• Custom finisher's medal

• A complimentary beer for runners 21 yrs and older

• Post-race food from local vendors

• Waterfront after-party with live music and local vendors

Jogging strollers are permitted for the 5K and the 10K. They are not allowed for the half marathon.

VIRTUAL RACES

We are excited to offer a virtual race option for the half marathon, 10K, and 5K for the 2024 St. Michaels Running Festival presented by Brooks. Haven’t participated in a virtual race before? No problem! It’s easier (and more fun) than you might think!

Sign Up to Participate

Can’t run the race and get the SWAG if you don’t register! Head to the registration page here to get signed up, and be sure to bring your friends! During registration you can also opt-in to report your race results via text or email (we’ll explain more below) and confirm your shipping address.

Run Your Race

Normally we toe the starting line at 7:10 AM on Saturday, but with the virtual event you’ve got the whole weekend to run! You can run your race anytime between Saturday, May 17th and Sunday, May 18th. You can run anywhere you like - your neighborhood, your favorite trail, your treadmill, etc. We encourage all participants to use the RaceJoy app, where you can track your run, automatically submit your results, send and receive cheers to/from other participants!

Submit Results

After you run your race you can submit your results automatically through the RaceJoy app, through text or email (if opted in), or directly on the runsignup.com results page from May 18th through May 19th (11:59PM Eastern Time). If you have questions about submitting results don't hesitate to reach out to us at events@charmcityrun.com. Results automatically update as times are submitted, so you can check the results to see how you stack up against the competition.

Share Your Selfies!

If you don’t take a picture did it even happen? We’d love to see your pre- and post-race pictures! Share them on social media using the following tags: #smrf #charmcityrun

PRE-RACE SHAKEOUT RUN

Charm City Run will host a pre-race shakeout run from St. Michaels High School on Friday, May 16 at 6:00PM. Join us for a few miles and some fun giveaways from Brooks!

PACKET PICKUP

Tuesday, May 13 from 3PM-6PM
Charm City Run - Annapolis
87 Forest Plaza
Annapolis, MD 21401

Wednesday, May 14 from 3PM-7PM
Charm City Run - Columbia
7090 Deepage Drive
Columbia, MD 21045

Thursday, May 15 from 3PM-7PM
Charm City Run - Timonium
2045 York Road, 1st Floor
Timonium, MD 21093

Friday, May 16 from 4PM-8PM
St. Michaels High School
200 Seymour Avenue
St. Michaels, MD 21663

Saturday, May 17 from 5:30 AM-6:45 AM
St. Michaels High School
200 Seymour Avenue
St. Michaels, MD 21663

If you wish 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.

Bib Mailing

If you feel you won't be able to make it to a packet pickup, or would simply prefer the convenience of having your bib and shirt sent to your home, you can select the bib mailing option (up to the bib mailing cutoff date) during registration. More info on bib mailing is available here. All virtual participants will have their packets shipped to them at no additional charge.

RACE TRANSPORTATION

Due to traffic and parking constraints within the Town of St. Michaels, we have instituted a new transportation plan to allow participants to access the race venue while minimizing the impact on our neighbors. Participants may choose one of the following options during registration:

1. RESERVED PARKING. By popular demand, we are happy to offer Reserved Parking at this year's St. Michaels Running Festival presented by Brooks for an additional charge of $28.50/vehicle. Participants have their choice of two locations for parking - at St. Michaels High School (closer to the Start Line) and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (closer to the Finish Line). Limited spots are available and will not be available for purchase on race day, so don't delay! Limit one parking pass per participant. This is a great opportunity to carpool with your running buddies, as you only need one pass per vehicle! *Handicapped parking is available for participants with mobility restrictions (placard required). 

2. BUS TRANSPORTATION. Bus transportation is available from Easton into St. Michaels. This is a 20-minute ride (approx.). Buses will drop you off at the start line (pre-race) and pick you up from the post-race party to return you to Easton. Bus transportation costs $9.42 per person for all passengers above the age of 5. Additional information on pickup location and timelines will be posted closer to race day, but the last bus will leave Easton for the start no later than 6:30 AM and the last bus will leave to return to Easton at 12:30.

3. STAYING IN ST. MICHAELS. If you are booking hotel accommodations in St. Michaels and will be traveling to the start without a vehicle, please select this option. To maintain the integrity of this option you may be asked to provide lodging confirmation prior to race day. 

If you are not staying in St. Michaels and do not choose to purchase parking, DO NOT plan to park in the town of St. Michaels the morning of the race.

Note: If you are already registered and would like to purchase a parking pass (while supplies last), you can do so from your runsignup.com profile page: Click on manage registration and then select Add-On. Parking and bus transportation fees are non-refundable.

HOTEL PARTNER

We are excited to announce that we have partnered with a local hotel for a discounted group rate :

Holiday Inn Express Easton
8561 Ocean Gateway
Easton, MD 21601

Booking Link for the Holiday Inn Express Easton

Group Code is 'STM' or you can mention St. Michaels Running Festival while booking over the phone.

ROAD CLOSURES

Race Day is Saturday, May 17, 2025

Talbot St (the main street through St. Michaels) will be closed from Trusty Street to Lincoln Avenue from 7:00am to 8:00am. At 8:00am, the road will be opened for good - EXPECT PERIODIC DELAYS AND MINOR STOPS UNTIL 10:00am.

Areas affected by the race route:

• FREEMONT STREET: Freemont Street is the finish area of the race and will be closed from 5:00am to 12:00pm on race day

• SEYMOUR AVENUE: Start area with limited vehicular access from 6:00am to 8:30am

• TALBOT STREET: Main Street from Lincoln Ave to Trusty St. closed from 7:00am to 8:00am.

• DEEPWATER POINT ROAD: Heavy runner traffic from 7:20am to 8:00am.

• CHANCE HOPE FARM: Heavy runner traffic from 7:25am to 8:45am.

• MARTINGHAM CIRCLE: Heavy runner traffic from 8:00am to 9:30am.

• DODSON, NORTH AND RAILROAD: Heavy runner traffic from 8:00am to 10:00am - ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICLES DURING THIS TIME

• Mt. PLEASANT AND CHURCH NECK: Heavy runner traffic from 8:15am to 10:50am - ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICLES DURING THIS TIME

• BOUNDARY LANE AND TRICE FIELDS ROAD: Heavy Runner traffic from 7:40am to 8:30am.

PARKING AREAS

ADA PARKING is available at the start area – CLICK HERE for a location map.

GENERAL PARKING: Please follow the direction of our parking team as they're tasked with getting everyone situated and to the start line in a timely manner. Our parking team members will point you to the nearest available parking spot - so please look for them and follow their direction.

1. St. Michaels School Complex – there are 2 main lots and an overflow lot located at the St. Michaels School Complex.

2. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum – Many thanks to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum for allowing SMRF to use its parking lot for the race! If asked to park at the museum, it’s a short 5-minute jog or 10-minute walk to the start area. Please enjoy the stroll through St. Michaels as you make your way to the start.

In additional to the above designated lots there is ample off-site parking in the surrounding area. Our parking team will happily usher you to the nearest and most convenient spot.

STARTING WAVES

Plan on arriving early. Whatever your anticipated travel time to St. Michaels is, please build in an additional 1-hour buffer. The St. Michaels Running Festival presented by Brooks start gun will go off promptly at 7:10 a.m. with the first wave of the half marathon. After all half marathoners are on course, we will continue with the 10K start, followed by the 5K start. We've structured the start this way in order to create smaller groups of runners, less congestion and a smoother run for you all along the course.

Wave Assignments

Half marathon participants will be grouped into corrals based on expected running pace. Look for signage at the start line to find the corral that matches your expected pace. 10k and 5k participants will not be split into smaller corrals, but each race will have its own start.

Where Do I Go Once I Arrive At the Start?

Look for your corral when you arrive at the start. Half marathon runners will find large banner flags corresponding to their expected pace , while 10k and 5k participants will find race crew volunteers holding large signs with their corresponding race.

Move toward the start once the waves in front of you have left. Please follow your race crew volunteer forward until instructed to load into the starting chute.

Once the horn blows for your wave… RUN!

FINISHER MEDAL (2024 Pictured)

Below is a preview of this year’s finisher medal for the St. Michaels Running Festival presented by Brooks.

Additional photos coming soon!

AWARDS

Awards will be given for the in-person half marathon, 10K, and 5K as follows:

• Top three overall males and females (based on gun time)

• Top male and female masters (based on gun time)

• Top three nonbinary finishers (based on gun time)

• Top three males and females in the following age groups (based on chip time): 14 and under; 15-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70 and over.

There is NO double dipping! Awards will be presented at the post-race party, so be sure to check your results on RunSignup and stick around if you’ve earned an award! There are no awards given for the virtual races.

POST-RACE PARTY

When the race is over, the party begins! The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, with beautiful waterfront views, is the host for our post-race party. Just a short walk from the finish line, participants can relax in a tented greenspace with:

• One complimentary beer for runners 21+

• Food

• Live Music

• Fun photo ops and official race shop from Brooks

NOVACARE REHABILITATION RECOVERY AREA

Join NovaCare Rehabilitation for a recovery session after you finish your run  Whether you set out to reach a new PR or enjoyed the picturesque views during the race, everyone could use some dedicated recovery time afterwards.

A team of physical therapists from NovaCare Rehabilitation will be demonstrating foam rolling techniques, offering taping to offload painful muscles, and trigger point work to get you feeling great again! Also be sure to check out the NormaTec Recovery Boots to improve circulation and decrease muscle soreness. Therapists will also provide on site complimentary injury screening to help you stay healthy and active.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION

There are several spots for you to cheer your loved ones on during the race, regardless of which distance they’re participating in.

HALF MARATHON:

• Start along the sidewalks on Talbot Street in downtown St Michaels as the athletes approach Mile 1.  

• Then, head over to North St at Fremont St to encourage them as they turn toward Mile 8.

• Finally, make your way South on Fremont St to the finish line as everyone completes their journey to Mile 13.1.

10K:

• Start on Talbot Street near North St as the athletes approach Mile 1.  

• Then, quickly head West along North St to Fremont St and encourage them as they turn to head out of town.

• Finally, make your way South on Fremont St to the finish line as everyone completes their journey to 6.2.

5K:

• Watch the athletes begin their 5K at the intersection of Talbot and Seymour.

• Then, see them again just after they have crossed Mile 2 at the intersection of Tilden St and W Chew.

• Or, if you want to cheer them into the Finish Line, head directly to Fremont St.

Addresses:

Start Line

St Michaels Middle High

200 Seymour Ave, St Michaels, MD 21663

Finish Line

Talbot County Free Library - St. Michaels Branch

106 Fremont St, St Michaels, MD 21663

Post-race

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

213 N Talbot St, St Michaels, MD 21663

TRAINING

RACEJOY

PHOTOGRAPHY

SMRF is happy to offer free race photography to capture your awesome running photos at the start, on the course and at the finish. When you see a photographer on the course, don’t forget to put on a big smile, break out your best (or goofiest) pose or simply give a big cheer. We want to make sure we catch a great moment of your SMRF experience.

2024 Participant Photos - Click Here

2023 Participant Photos - Click Here
2022 Participant Photos - Click Here
2021 Participant Photos - Click Here
2019 Participant Photos - Click Here
2018 Participant Photos - Click Here
2017 Participant Photos - Click Here
2016 Participant Photos - Click Here