Baltimore Running Festival hosts its 17th annual running event on October 21, with a new finish line on Pratt Street, along the Inner Harbor.
Formerly, the race ended along the Ravens Walk, a glorified parking lot between Baltimore’s baseball and football stadiums. This year, the race will instead deposit visitors at the city’s historic seaport and landmark tourist destination. Fourteen thousand runners in a handful of races — including a 5k, half marathon, full marathon, and team marathon relay — will finish on Pratt St. The location change is a welcome new backdrop for iconic finish line photos and is expected to boost the economic benefits of having the race in Baltimore, as well.
“We felt it was time to infuse the festival with some new energy,” said race director Lee Corrigan, on the festival’s website. “Runners and their families are now at the doorstep of the city’s great restaurants, hotels, business and tourist attractions. Our new setup will offer countless entertainment options within walking distance compared to our previous finish line between the two stadiums.”
The festival, which has a $40 million dollar impact on Baltimore’s economy, according to the Baltimore Sun, is an ever-evolving work in progress. Other course changes over the years have included a route through the Maryland Zoo, and around Fort McHenry. The location of the start of the race remains untouched, however, and will begin, as always, outside Pickles Pub near Orioles Park.
For more information and to register for this year’s Baltimore Running Festival, visit www.baltimoremarathon.com
