Annapolis Striders Women's Distance Festival 5K & Run After The Women 5K
- Date Sat 11th July 2026
- Time 7:45AM EDT
- Location Annapolis, Maryland
- Price $22.50
- Races 2 races
- Distances 5km
Top rated
This is a five star event
Event summary
Join us for the Annapolis Striders Women's Distance Festival 5K on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in the picturesque city of Annapolis, Anne Arundel. This exciting women's-only event features a 5K race that welcomes runners of all ages and abilities, making it an inclusive celebration of fitness and community. Following the women's race, the Run After The Women 5K for men will take place, adding to the day's energetic atmosphere. Participants can look forward to a beautiful two-loop course through the charming Wardour neighborhood, with a mix of flat and hilly terrain, perfect for both seasoned runners and beginners alike.
This event is not just a race; it's also a part of the Maryland RRCA Women's Distance Festival Grand Prix Series and the graduation race for the Annapolis Striders 5K Beginning Runners Program. With race day registration starting at 6:30 AM and the women's race kicking off at 7:45 AM, there’s plenty of time to get ready and soak in the camaraderie. Don't miss the chance to be part of this uplifting occasion dedicated to the memory of Evan "E.T." Thomas, a beloved coach and mentor. After the races, join us for awards and post-r
This event is not just a race; it's also a part of the Maryland RRCA Women's Distance Festival Grand Prix Series and the graduation race for the Annapolis Striders 5K Beginning Runners Program. With race day registration starting at 6:30 AM and the women's race kicking off at 7:45 AM, there’s plenty of time to get ready and soak in the camaraderie. Don't miss the chance to be part of this uplifting occasion dedicated to the memory of Evan "E.T." Thomas, a beloved coach and mentor. After the races, join us for awards and post-r
Organiser's Description
The ANNAPOLIS STRIDERS [https://www.annapolisstriders.org/] WOMENS DISTANCE FESTIVAL is a women's only 5K race, with a companion RUN AFTER THE WOMEN 5K for men only held after the women's race. _RUNNERS OF ALL AGES & ABILITIES ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE!_ This event is the fourth race in the MARYLAND RRCA WOMENS DISTANCE FESTIVAL GRAND PRIX SERIES [https://maryland-rrca.org/wdf-series/], and it is also the graduation race for the ANNAPOLIS STRIDERS 5K BEGINNING RUNNERS PROGRAM [https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Annapolis/AnnapolisStriders5KBeginningRunners]. The race is also being dedicated to Evan "E.T." Thomas [https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/capitalgazette/name/evan-thomas-obituary?id=54326489] (1941-2024), who gave countless hours as a coach to the Beginning Runners Program.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
6:30 AM - Race day registration & packet pick-up begins
7:45 AM - Start of the Womens Distance Festival 5K
APPROX. 8:30 AM - Start of the Run After The Women 5K
AWARDS to follow conclusion of the mens 5K
REGISTRATION
Online registration is available through THURSDAY, JULY 9TH, 2026. Mail-in registration is also available; mailed entries must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, July 2nd. Race day registration begins at 6:30 AM; please bring exact cash or check payable to Annapolis Striders, Inc.
ENTRY FEES
EARLY BIRD THROUGH MAY 8TH: $22.50 online, $20.00 by mail (must be postmarked by Friday, May 2nd)
MAY 9TH THROUGH JULY 9TH: $27.50 online, $25.00 by mail (must be postmarked by Wednesday, July 2nd)
JULY 3RD THROUGH JULY 9TH: $27.50 online only
RACE DAY: $35.00 cash or check made payable to Annapolis Striders, Inc.
No refunds or transfers.
PACKET PICK-UP
Packet pick-up will take place on race morning beginning at 6:30 AM, in the West Annapolis Elementary School cafeteria on the Tucker Street side of the school.
PARKING
Ample FREE on-street parking in the neighborhood surrounding West Annapolis Elementary.
COURSE
An open two-loop course through the Wardour neighborhood of West Annapolis on paved roads, with some shaded areas. Mostly flat, with a few hills, and one wooden foot bridge. Race begins on Annapolis Street beside West Annapolis Elementary School located at 505 Melvin Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401.
Here are the directions:
1. Start on the southwest side of West Annapolis Elementary School on Annapolis Street across from house 207
2. Turn left on Melvin Avenue and continue for five blocks.
3. Turn right on Old Crossing Lane and continue straight as it becomes Norwood Road.
4. Turn left onto Kent Road and cross wooden footbridge at the dead end.
** (Water stop at footbridge, 0.82 miles)
5. Turn left at end of footbridge onto Wardour Drive.
6. Bear right at traffic circle to continue on Wardour Drive.
** (1 mile mark is just beyond circle, at end of driveway for house 205.)
7. Bear left at triangular road island onto Westwood Road.
8. Turn left at end of Westwood onto Scott Drive.
9. Turn left on Claude Street.
10. Turn right onto Monterey Avenue and continue for two blocks.
11. Turn left onto Tolson Street to begin second loop and continue for two blocks.
** (Halfway point is midway down the first block, just beyond house 204.)
12. Turn left onto Giddings Avenue.
13. Turn right at end of Giddings onto Old Crossing Lane and continue straight as it becomes Norwood Road.
** (2 mile mark is just beyond driveway for house 209.)
14. Turn left onto Kent Road and cross wooden footbridge at the dead end.
** (Water stop at footbridge, 2.25 miles)
15. Turn left at end of footbridge onto Wardour Drive.
16. Bear right at traffic circle to continue on Wardour Drive.
17. Bear left at triangular road island onto Westwood Road.
18. Turn left at end of Westwood onto Scott Drive.
19. Turn left on Claude Street.
20. Turn right onto Monterey Avenue and continue for four blocks.
** (3 mile mark is about 15 yards before crossing Tucker Street.)
21. Turn left onto Annapolis Street.
22. Finish on the southwest side of West Annapolis Elementary where the race started.
COURSE MAP
A detailed course map can be found here [https://www.annapolisstriders.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022_High-Resolution_WDF-Race-Course.pdf]!
AID STATIONS
Two water stops will be provided: One located at the foot bridge and one near the start/finish line.
TIMING
Chip timing provided by MARYLAND TIMING [https://mdtiming.com/]. Unofficial & official results will be posted on the ANNAPOLIS STRIDERS [https://www.annapolisstriders.org/] and MARYLAND TIMING [https://mdtiming.com/] web sites.
RACE RULES
No headphones/earbuds, baby joggers or baby strollers, bicycles, or animals will be allowed. If you are not feeling well on race day, please stay home.
AWARDS
1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall awards for womens and mens races. Age group awards will go to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in following age groups: 9 & under, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90 and over. There will also be awards for the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place mother/daughter team. Please stay for the post-race award ceremony; AWARDS WILL NOT BE MAILED.
RACE PREMIUM
TBD and is guaranteed to the first 150 race applicants!
POST RACE
There will be post-race food. More info to come!
VOLUNTEER
If you are interested in being a volunteer and receiving credit for this event, please contact the race director at WDF5K@ANNAPOLISSTRIDERS.ORG. We have many volunteer positions available!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
6:30 AM - Race day registration & packet pick-up begins
7:45 AM - Start of the Womens Distance Festival 5K
APPROX. 8:30 AM - Start of the Run After The Women 5K
AWARDS to follow conclusion of the mens 5K
REGISTRATION
Online registration is available through THURSDAY, JULY 9TH, 2026. Mail-in registration is also available; mailed entries must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, July 2nd. Race day registration begins at 6:30 AM; please bring exact cash or check payable to Annapolis Striders, Inc.
ENTRY FEES
EARLY BIRD THROUGH MAY 8TH: $22.50 online, $20.00 by mail (must be postmarked by Friday, May 2nd)
MAY 9TH THROUGH JULY 9TH: $27.50 online, $25.00 by mail (must be postmarked by Wednesday, July 2nd)
JULY 3RD THROUGH JULY 9TH: $27.50 online only
RACE DAY: $35.00 cash or check made payable to Annapolis Striders, Inc.
No refunds or transfers.
PACKET PICK-UP
Packet pick-up will take place on race morning beginning at 6:30 AM, in the West Annapolis Elementary School cafeteria on the Tucker Street side of the school.
PARKING
Ample FREE on-street parking in the neighborhood surrounding West Annapolis Elementary.
COURSE
An open two-loop course through the Wardour neighborhood of West Annapolis on paved roads, with some shaded areas. Mostly flat, with a few hills, and one wooden foot bridge. Race begins on Annapolis Street beside West Annapolis Elementary School located at 505 Melvin Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401.
Here are the directions:
1. Start on the southwest side of West Annapolis Elementary School on Annapolis Street across from house 207
2. Turn left on Melvin Avenue and continue for five blocks.
3. Turn right on Old Crossing Lane and continue straight as it becomes Norwood Road.
4. Turn left onto Kent Road and cross wooden footbridge at the dead end.
** (Water stop at footbridge, 0.82 miles)
5. Turn left at end of footbridge onto Wardour Drive.
6. Bear right at traffic circle to continue on Wardour Drive.
** (1 mile mark is just beyond circle, at end of driveway for house 205.)
7. Bear left at triangular road island onto Westwood Road.
8. Turn left at end of Westwood onto Scott Drive.
9. Turn left on Claude Street.
10. Turn right onto Monterey Avenue and continue for two blocks.
11. Turn left onto Tolson Street to begin second loop and continue for two blocks.
** (Halfway point is midway down the first block, just beyond house 204.)
12. Turn left onto Giddings Avenue.
13. Turn right at end of Giddings onto Old Crossing Lane and continue straight as it becomes Norwood Road.
** (2 mile mark is just beyond driveway for house 209.)
14. Turn left onto Kent Road and cross wooden footbridge at the dead end.
** (Water stop at footbridge, 2.25 miles)
15. Turn left at end of footbridge onto Wardour Drive.
16. Bear right at traffic circle to continue on Wardour Drive.
17. Bear left at triangular road island onto Westwood Road.
18. Turn left at end of Westwood onto Scott Drive.
19. Turn left on Claude Street.
20. Turn right onto Monterey Avenue and continue for four blocks.
** (3 mile mark is about 15 yards before crossing Tucker Street.)
21. Turn left onto Annapolis Street.
22. Finish on the southwest side of West Annapolis Elementary where the race started.
COURSE MAP
A detailed course map can be found here [https://www.annapolisstriders.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022_High-Resolution_WDF-Race-Course.pdf]!
AID STATIONS
Two water stops will be provided: One located at the foot bridge and one near the start/finish line.
TIMING
Chip timing provided by MARYLAND TIMING [https://mdtiming.com/]. Unofficial & official results will be posted on the ANNAPOLIS STRIDERS [https://www.annapolisstriders.org/] and MARYLAND TIMING [https://mdtiming.com/] web sites.
RACE RULES
No headphones/earbuds, baby joggers or baby strollers, bicycles, or animals will be allowed. If you are not feeling well on race day, please stay home.
AWARDS
1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall awards for womens and mens races. Age group awards will go to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in following age groups: 9 & under, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90 and over. There will also be awards for the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place mother/daughter team. Please stay for the post-race award ceremony; AWARDS WILL NOT BE MAILED.
RACE PREMIUM
TBD and is guaranteed to the first 150 race applicants!
POST RACE
There will be post-race food. More info to come!
VOLUNTEER
If you are interested in being a volunteer and receiving credit for this event, please contact the race director at WDF5K@ANNAPOLISSTRIDERS.ORG. We have many volunteer positions available!
Races
Reviews
- 5
- 4
- 3
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- 1
5.0
1 review
Patricia
·9 months ago
Great race - organized well. Friendly volunteers with clearly marked course. Other racers were kind as well. Great vibes - was the perfect choice for my first 5K
Location
West Annapolis Elementary School, 505 Melvin Avenue, Annapolis, 21401, MD, United States
Annapolis Striders Women's Distance Festival 5K & Run After The Women 5K
