TWILIGHT 5K
Frederick Fairgrounds
797 E Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21701 US
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COUNTDOWN TO RACE DAY
RACE DAY IS
MAY 2, 2026
Race starts at 5p
REQUIREMENTS
Participants in the 5K must be 5 years of age and be able to complete the 3.1 mile course in under 1 hour (20 min/mile pace). Those who are under 5 may still be eligible to participate but must seek a waiver by contacting customerservice@corrigansports.com.
FIELD SIZE
The team relay field will be capped at 1500 teams, with a total of 5,000 runners in all events; although the Race Director reserves the right to change the size of the marathon field.
REGISTRATION
Online registration for the Frederick Running Festival ™ will close May 2, 2026 at 3:00 pm or earlier if the field is filled. In-Person Registration will be available at packet pick up if space remains. Please register early to take advantage of the best pricing and to avoid a sellout.
Once you have registered, please take the time to confirm the accuracy of the information. You may be able to look up and edit your information by following the instructions HERE. Many of your questions can be answered by visiting our FAQs page or within the Runner Information Packet that will be published just before race week.
Opportunities to UPGRADE to a longer distance, DOWNGRADE to a shorter distance or DEFER your entry until 2027 are available with specific deadlines. Details and deadlines are available on our FAQs page.
NO MAILED, FAXED OR EMAILED ENTRIES | NO REFUNDS | NO RACE TRANSFERS
THE COURSE
A BIG TIME RACE WITH SMALL TOWN CHARM.
The Frederick Running Festival is one of the most convenient and accessible races in the region. Multiple packet pick up locations in your neighborhood, great race giveaways, a scenic and enteraining rate route and a great post race party awaits you.
The 5K will run out and back along Church St., home to several of Frederick's famed steeples including St. John the Evangelist Church, which was built in 1837 and remains the tallest building in Frederick; and finish exactly where you started at the Great Frederick Fairgrounds.
Free and ample parking, grandstands, live music and cold beer mark the highlights of the Celebration Village on the fairgrounds track infield.
Twilight 5k Course
- Start on the Fairground Track, at the corner of the grandstand
- Run clockwise around the track
- Exit the fairgrounds at Gate 3, turning left onto Monroe Avenue
- Turn Left on Highland St.
- Turn Right on Church St.
- Tunaround on Church St at Brengle St.
- Continue back down Church St.
- Turn Left on Highland St.
- Turn Right on Monroe Avenue
- Enter the Fairgrounds at Gate 3
- Proceed counter-clockwise around the track, finishing on the track in front of the grandstands
JOIN A SOCIAL TEAM
Having the support of your friends during your training and race is priceless, but we decided to add an extra incentive! Regardless of when your teammates register, the entire group will get a $10 refund once your team reaches 10 or more members. The refund will go directly back to the card used to pay for registration. PLUS there’s potential for teams to win extra benefits and deals!
💰 Teams of 10 or more = save $10 per team member
🎪 Teams of 40 or more = get a tent at the finish line
🎁 Prizes for things like the biggest & most festive teams
✨ Increase the fun by running together
🥇 Pick any or all the race distances!
JOIN THE NUT JOB CHALLENGE
Add the half-marathon to your 5K entry and earn some extra bling and the title of Nut Job. Runners who complete both the half marathon on Sunday and The Twilight 5K on Saturday will receive a special Nut Job race bib valid for both events AND earn an exclusive Nut Job medal in addition to the half marathon and 5K medals. [LEARN MORE]
RACE SWAG- '26 Coming Soon
THE SHIRT
Each year, we work with Maryland's own Under Armour to offer a top of the line giveaway item for the 5k parricipants. The 2026 version is in the works.
What is in store for 2026? STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT!
THE MEDAL
Much like the premium giveaway, our medals have a Maryland Pride theme as well. The 2025 version featured a removable lapel pin with the event logo and a festive Maryland flag background
You will have to wait to see what the 2026 medal looks like.
COURSE SUPPORT
We will have 1 aid station on the course, which is stocked with water and Gatorade.
The aid station will have at least one port-a-pot and a SELF HELP Kit with basic runner amenities.
The following items are not permitted on the course: pets, skateboards, bicycles, roller blades, baby joggers, and any other type of vehicle (other than official race vehicles). These regulations are for your safety and the safety of the other participants in the race. Corrigan Sports reserves the right to disqualify and remove anyone from the course who has any of the above items. Headphones are strongly discouraged.
5K AWARDS
Overall Winners: Trophies will be awarded to the overall male and female champions as well as to the second and third place finishers.
Awards Ceremony: The awards ceremony will take place at the band stage in the center of the Celebration Village on Saturday at 6:0pam. Only the overall winners from the 5K will be awarded at the ceremony. Age group awards will be mailed.
Age Groups: Prizes go to the top three non-elite male and female age group finishers for the marathon in each of the following divisions: 16 & U, 17-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35- 39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70+
(NOTE: There must be a minimum of 5 competitors in a given age group in order for an award to be issued. The event reserves the right to reduce or eliminate awards in a given age group if there are fewer than 5 participants.)
Age group awards will be mailed within a month after the event after finishing times have been verified. We will not ship age group awards internationally
