Thousands cheer on Charm City at the Baltimore Running Festival

More than 14,000 runners were met with great enthusiasm from the Baltimore community as they took to the streets to participate in the 26th annual Baltimore Running Festival on Saturday.

“You see a lot of the same faces and names, and so it’s a really good … homey feel,” said Ainsley Pressl, a 27-year-old from Towson and the winner of the women’s half marathon. 

The festival, which features a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon, draws thousands of spectators to the city each year, making travel difficult for city residents. However, many locals chose to make the most of it simply by hunkering down and watching from home. 

From Federal Hill to Charles Village, spectators lined the streets and gathered on porches to encourage the runners.

“It’s like the Baltimore Running Festival is a party for the community,” said Boris Volfson, who cheered on runners from his Charles Village porch with his 2-year-old daughter. 

One of Volfson’s neighbors, Ryan Schenning, set up an aid station outside his home, handing runners water, Gatorade and beer as they made it to the final stretch of the marathon.

Both Schenning and Volfson had previously run the Baltimore marathon and hoped to give current participants the same encouragement they felt during their races.

“Charles Village, and Baltimore in general, feels like a village,” Volfson said. “And when you participate in the marathon, you go through more neighborhoods and it’s really nice to kind of just see how the different neighborhoods show up.”

Pat Blair, a 45-year old from Catonsville, who came in second place in the men’s marathon, felt the community backing. 

“The crowd support, the news broadcast, just the atmosphere,” Blair said. “All my friends are here. It’s just so fantastic. I’ll do it every year.”

Some Baltimore residents who used to struggle with the inconvenience of the crowds and increased traffic have found ways to enjoy the spirit of the marathon.

“It used to seem a little annoying … but now I think just embracing it and using it as a day to hang out with your friends and your neighbors … actually makes it fun,” said Charles Village homeowner Sara Mathes. Mathes and her husband, Dave, invite neighborhood friends over to have breakfast and watch the race from their porch.

Mathes said she understands the frustrations of those who have weekend obligations, acknowledging that she doesn’t work on Saturdays or have children who need to get places. 

“Life doesn’t stop for the marathon, but mine can,” Mathes said.