Freedom Is Never Free Half
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About the race
The event offers three official race distances along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath at Carderock Recreation Area in Potomac, MD.
- 5k
- 10k
- Half marathon
All three routes run on a light gravel dirt trail and are laid out as single out-and-back courses with minimal elevation gain. Organizers describe the courses as fast and flat. Points earned in these races count toward the 5k, 10k, Endurance and Back of the Pack series, and also toward the Fall Series. The Back of the Pack is a separate series grouping runners by pace so they can compete for series points.
The event is chip timed. Registered finishers receive a finisher medal and a technical (Drifit) event shirt. A virtual race option is available. Walkers and strollers are permitted on course.
Water and fueling are provided: the half marathon has ten water stations at approximately mile markers 1.55, 2.7, 4.9, 5.3, 6.15, 6.95, 7.8, 8.2, 10.4 and 11.55; the 10k has four stations at about 1.55, 2.7, 3.5 and 4.65 miles; the 5k has one station at about mile 1.55. Gatorade is available at some stations. Restrooms are located by the main parking lot.
Packet pickup is available at the event; organizers recommend arriving about one hour before the event to check in. There is no on-site race registration. Parking is available in four lots at Carderock; the organizer provides a GPS pin 38.972563, -77.198738. Final race results and series points are posted after the event, live results appear on Athlinks, and photos are posted after the race. Awards include top three men and women overall plus first and second place in standard age groups. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
