Annapolis Running Festival
Annapolis, MD
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Annapolis Running Festival burst onto the state capital’s running scene and has not looked back! Corrigan Sports has brought its compelling race for everyone formula to Annapolis. All races will start and finish at Navy Stadium. You can expect a fair yet challenging race route, high quality premiums & … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Mar 21):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 61 | 55 | 49 | 58 | 68 |
| L (°F) | 46 | 41 | 36 | 34 | 43 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Not really worth it
Parking was not an issue, and was probably the best part of the whole race. An Auntie Anne's food truck was parked exactly where the long lines would form for … MORE
Parking was not an issue, and was probably the best part of the whole race. An Auntie Anne’s food truck was parked exactly where the long lines would form for pre-race porta-potty use (lines forming around the truck – seriously). I missed the start of the race due to long lines. The 10k and HMers start together, 5kers start about 15 minutes later and merge into the same course. There is a lot of congestion in this race, a lot of dodging and weaving. There is a section of the course that runs through a tourist area, the road is brick pavers so some uneven surface there. At some point the 5kers do a u-turn but there is a lot of runners taking up the whole road. The 10k/HM group goes on to cross the Naval Academy bridge, with the 10k turnaround at the end of the bridge and run back to the start. The HM group continues on and eventually wind up on a wide hiker-biker trail that is in very good shape. The issue is congestion, as runners are going both ways on this trail. I was going for a PR, but had a lot of issues getting caught behind slower runners and being unable to pass them right away due to oncoming traffic.
The HM group crosses back over the bridge and heads back to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, but as you arrive, you head up a small trail (very poorly maintained) up a hill and have to be led into a logistical funnel around the stadium to get to the start/finish.
My Garmin had me at 13.01 miles at the finish, and I did not cut any corners, although I did try to take efficient lines at turns/corners. I know that there may be some GPS discrepancies, but my case is not isolated, several other people complained of the same. I did get a PR, but because of this discrepancy, I don’t actually know if it was legit.
The finishing chute was confusing, the medals were off to the side, you had to go out of your way to get to them. I actually missed it and had to double back and even then almost missed it again. The race shirt premium was awful, bad colors, bad design. Look for it at Goodwill. I doubt I will run this race again, and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
Hilly but beautiful scenery
My first time running this festival - glad I dropped down from Half-Marathon to the 10K. Great scenery - Loved running through downtown Annapolis. The Bridge at the end of … MORE
My first time running this festival – glad I dropped down from Half-Marathon to the 10K. Great scenery – Loved running through downtown Annapolis. The Bridge at the end of the turn around point was rough. This course has hills throughout. And the last hill before getting back to the Navy Stadium was spicy. Will consider running it again.
Annapolis Running Festival HM
PROS: • I actually thought the parking situation was so well organized. No issues at all. • Certain parts of the course are very beautiful (Downtown Annapolis, over the Naval … MORE
PROS:
• I actually thought the parking situation was so well organized. No issues at all.
• Certain parts of the course are very beautiful (Downtown Annapolis, over the Naval Academy Bridge)
• Aid stations were plentiful and well-placed
CONS
• The Auntie Anne’s truck was parked right in front of the porta potties and blocked the area where cohesive lines could form. Many people were still waiting to use them when the race started because there were too many lines feeding into the one or two porta potties at a time.
• Having all of the races merge together meant so much congestion. Kept having to slow down and dodge people.
• I’m concerned that this course is not a full 13.1 miles. My watch came in at 13.05 and several others noted coming in under, too.
Overall, this is the 3rd half marathon that I’ve run and probably my least favorite of the 3.
Good production, fun post race
Annapolis Running Festival was a well organized event that featured a nice running tour of the state capital. I felt great and didn’t push the pace. I loved running over … MORE
Annapolis Running Festival was a well organized event that featured a nice running tour of the state capital. I felt great and didn’t push the pace. I loved running over all the bridges and near the Naval Academy. Fun post race outside Navy Memorial Stadium featuring music, beer and good food.
A great race with some improvements
I enjoyed my first time at this race. The course was fairly scenic. I especially enjoyed the views from the bridges. The post-race festival was quite nice, too. There were … MORE
I enjoyed my first time at this race. The course was fairly scenic. I especially enjoyed the views from the bridges. The post-race festival was quite nice, too. There were food vendors like Auntie Anne’s and Dunkin there.
2025 is this race’s 3rd year and I think there are areas where it can improve.
At certain points, there was some race congestion with the different distances. The 5k runners started about 15 minutes after the 10k and Half runners. Which meant the 5k runners were weaving through all of us.
More frequent signage for race direction will be useful, too. Ex – stay left. The leaders of the 5k faced some runner congestion from athletes heading the opposite way.
Overall, a great experience! Parking was easy and the medal + tech t-shirt were good quality.
Great way to kick off my RTR!
Beautiful course , fantastic production and logistics. post-race amenities/food/drink 5 star. Fun and affirming with multiple distances. See ya next year! ***************++++ MORE
Beautiful course , fantastic production and logistics. post-race amenities/food/drink 5 star. Fun and affirming with multiple distances. See ya next year! ***************++++
Confusing way to line up for the start
The start line was confusing because it kind of got mixed in with the port-o-let lines. Speaking of port-o-lets though there were plenty! Expo was very small but the weather … MORE
The start line was confusing because it kind of got mixed in with the port-o-let lines. Speaking of port-o-lets though there were plenty! Expo was very small but the weather was terrible. The course was hilly, especially the bridge, and the windy day added to the difficulty. I loved the part of the race that travels through the historic parts of Annapolis. The bike path part- not so much. There were no oysters or shrimp after the race and they ran out of hot coffee (it was a cold, windy day) but I am a back-of-the-pack finisher so often times I don’t get much after a race. I be loved the swag- a super cool medal and a great long sleeve technical shirt that fits very well. Overall, it’s a race worth doing.
Inaugural Race With No Kinks
For an inaugural race, I was hoping the shirt would have it on there. The hills were brutal, but the scenery was breathtaking. Also, they hyped up the oysters and … MORE
For an inaugural race, I was hoping the shirt would have it on there. The hills were brutal, but the scenery was breathtaking.
Also, they hyped up the oysters and shrimp, but everyone only got one of each.
Welcome Annapolis
The race course was a beautiful view of Annapolis waterfront with a few hills. The post party was nice with a live band, great sponsors and a recovery section. MORE
The race course was a beautiful view of Annapolis waterfront with a few hills. The post party was nice with a live band, great sponsors and a recovery section.
Decent inaugural race
Bib pickup the day before was outside and it rained unfortunately. On race day it was pretty windy at the start and finish. Going over the bridge was also especially … MORE
Bib pickup the day before was outside and it rained unfortunately. On race day it was pretty windy at the start and finish. Going over the bridge was also especially windy on the way back. It was a little strange how the 5K and 10K routes mixed with the half marathon. The lead 10k runner was actually running back into all of the other runners without anyone leading to clear a path. Decent drinks at the finish. Loved the long sleeve tech shirt. The design is simple but it was a great color.
Good Inaugural Run
What I liked: -the race shirt and medal -after race food, drinks, etc. -start and finish was well run -course was just the perfect amount of difficult What I didn't … MORE
What I liked:
-the race shirt and medal
-after race food, drinks, etc.
-start and finish was well run
-course was just the perfect amount of difficult
What I didn’t like:
-a few course hiccups (5K leads coming through when most people were at a water stop), but this is the inaugural race and I’m sure they will smooth those out next time.
-water stops needed a few more volunteers
-packet pickup was a small tent outside (wouldn’t have been so bad but it was raining)
Final thoughts: this is a hometown race for me. It’s a route that I’ve run often for training so it wasn’t as exciting for me. I personally had a really good run, and I think that they did a great job for an inaugural race. I would recommend it to locals who don’t want to travel too far or a first time racer.
Great race to get back in it!
I ran the 5k (my pw) and my son ran the 10k (his pb). Super well organized, easy scenic course. In for next year! Thank you to organizers and volunteers. MORE
I ran the 5k (my pw) and my son ran the 10k (his pb). Super well organized, easy scenic course. In for next year! Thank you to organizers and volunteers.
Poorly Marked Race
I have run this race before and there have been mileage issues in the past but this year they were really bad. Heading toward the finish line it was at … MORE
I have run this race before and there have been mileage issues in the past but this year they were really bad. Heading toward the finish line it was at least half a mile short of 13.1, so I ran around the parking lot before finishing to get the correct mileage. The route is kind of an out and back, a lot of it is outside of city of Annapolis. The part in the city is cool with interesting scenery (look you for the brick and cobble stone roads). Run by the Naval Academy and finish (and start) at the football stadium. The shirt and medal are decent. I have heard that a new company has taken over this race and I expect It will be run much better.