Parks Half Marathon

The 17th Annual Parks Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, September 10th. The race will take you through a scenic course traversing Rock Creek Park and ending with a festive post-race bash at the finish line on Beach Drive just south of the Grosvenor Metro.

The race is a result of several organizations - the Montgomery County Road Runners, the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and our fantastic sponsors, working together to deliver a half-marathon in the crown jewel of Montgomery County – Rock Creek Park. We are supported by many energetic sponsors and volunteers all with the same mission –  to deliver a fun and challenging race. But enough about why we’re doing this, here’s what you’ll want to know for the weekend.

Health Information

Please pay close attention to your health prior to attending this event.  If you have contracted to COVID-19, or any other contageous illness, please stay home. If you have cold symptoms, a mild fever, or "just don't feel well," we ask that you please stay home for the health and safety of all participants. 

Deferrals and Transfers

The window for deferrals and transfers has officially closed.  Our volunteer staff is hard at work preparing for the race.  We are unable to accommodate late requests, regardless of the reason, nor can we make exceptions!

Where To Stay

We can suggest the following, which are located within proximity to the race:

Hilton Garden Inn Rockville-Gaithersburg
14975 Shady Grove Road, Rockville, Maryland, 20850, (240) 507-1800

Courtyard by Marriott Rockville
2500 Research Blvd, Rockville, MD 20850-3209, (844) 631-0595 

Sheraton Rockville Hotel 
920 King Farm Blvd, Rockville, MD 20850-6610, (240) 912-8200

Packet Pickup

We STRONGLY encourage you to use the advanced packet pickup at RnJ Sports on Saturday before the race. A very limited Packet Pickup will be available on race morning, but all participants are advised to stop by RnJ.

 *Saturday, September 9th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at RnJ Sports, 11910-R Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 20852* Sunday, September 10th (RACE DAY) from 5:45 am to 6:30 am on Somerville Road, outside the Shady Grove Metro parking lot.

To make this process as expeditious as possible, please look up your bib number before entering RnJ or before picking up on race day. Your bib number appears at the top of this message or you can look it up using RunSignUp’s ‘Find A Participant’ feature on the race webpage.

You may pick up a bib for a friend.

Used Shoe Collection

We are NOT doing a used shoe collection during the 2023 event, so please leave those at home.

Timing Information

You will receive a “timing chip” along with your bib at packet pickup. The timing chip should be attached to your shoe prior to starting the race. Volunteers will be available in the finish chute to collect your chip after you complete the race, or you can drop your timing chip in designated boxes at the finish area. It is important to return your timing chip because your race time cannot be recorded without the chip. Also, your bib must be worn on the front of your body- not in a pocket or on your back. FOR MCRRC MEMBERS – DO NOT USE YOUR LOW KEY MEMBER MCRRC CHIP OR BIB FOR THIS RACE. 

Getting to the Start

Parking will be available in the Shady Grove Metro lot, which is free on the weekend.  PARKING IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR THE STARTING LINE!

Bag Check

We’ll be glad to take your bag!  We’ll even give you the bag. Baggage Check will be located near Packet Pickup on Somerville Drive, before you get to Redland Road, on the morning of the race. This is just beyond the Metro parking lot. We will need to see your bib number for you to use this service. Bags must be dropped off by 6:35 am and will be waiting for you at the finish line.  Once your bag is checked, you will not be able to retrieve it until after you complete the race.  Backpacks or bags weighing over 5lbs, as well as bags containing liquids or any of the items listed below, will not be accepted. No bikes, strollers, or infant car seats will be accepted at bag check. You must have your race bib to retrieve your bag at the finish area, so be sure to keep it with you. 

For security & liability reasons, please do not check the following items:

* liquids
* electronics, including phones 
* large bags or bags weighing more than 5 pounds
* valuables
* breakables
* anything you need during the race (shoes, race bib, etc.)

Race officials and/or law enforcement may refuse or destroy any bag or contents deemed suspicious.  We encourage you to make plans in advance to meet friends and family at a specific time and place, so you won’t need your phone.

Where do I go if I 'gotta go?'

You’re not alone, but you will be if you ‘go’ anywhere other than in one of port-o-pots lined up near the starting line. We’re guests in the neighborhoods surrounding the starting area and both police and volunteers will be on alert for anyone self-irrigating. 

Pacers

Need a pacer? We’ve arranged for pacers to bring you to a finishing time from 1 hour and 30 minutes (1:30) to 2 hours and 45 minutes (2:45). Just look for the Official Pacers holding signs and wearing bright lime green singlets with finish times on their backs.

When the Gun Goes Off

We will have mass start. Even though the race is “chip” timed, it’s critical that participants get to the starting line on time due to the re-opening of roads during the race. Please plan to arrive early and be ready to run when the starting gun goes off promptly at 6:45 am.

The Course

It’s all on the race website, just a click away….

Race Time Limit

To comply with our permits, all participants must maintain a minimum pace of 12:36 per mile in order to finish within two hours and forty-five minutes. Anyone exceeding this pace will be requested drop from the race or to obey pedestrian traffic laws should they choose to continue running.  Please be aware that aid stations will close on a 12:36 min/ mile pace.

Needwood Road

The first 2 miles of the course will be on local neighborhood roads consisting of golf courses and churches. While safety is always our concern, it is imperative that participants clear the first two miles in a timely manner. If you fall behind, you may be taken in the sweep vehicle to the entrance of Needwood Park where you may continue on your way.

Aid Stations & Medical

Aid stations will be located approximately every two miles on the course with water and lemon-lime Gatorade. If you have an allergy that requires you to use an Epipen, please carry your own on race day. We do not have a supply of Epipens. We do have ambulances and paramedics.  In the event of their use, you should speak to the closest medical volunteer on the course, and they will call an ambulance to take you to the hospital. Anytime Epipens are used, it is important to seek medical attention. Allergic reactions don’t always respond, and you may need further treatment. Epinephrine elevates you heart rate and you should stop running.

Runners with asthma should carry their own inhalers. If you use your inhaler and don’t feel like your breathing is improving, please go to nearest aid station or tell one of the bike spotters or Emergency Medical Bikers.

When running, please listen to your body and if you show signs of heat related illness or dehydration stop and get help. Live to run another day. Headache, extreme weakness, dizziness, heat cramps, chills/lack of sweating, nausea, vomiting, fainting, hyperventilation, impaired judgment, muscular incoordination, confusion are all signs that you may need medical attention.

There are multiple medical aid stations on the course. There will be bike spotters and emergency medical bike medics on the course. If you need help, any medical volunteer will have a phone and can assist you.  

Medical Volunteers will be wearing bright orange or yellow vests that say “Medical”.

The No-No's of Running Parks

We kindly request that you leave your headphones at home.  If you must participate with headphones, please consider lowering the volume and using only one ear bud. We’re not just looking out for your safety, but the safety of everyone around you. The course is narrow in parts. Please run aware.

The following are prohibited during the race:

* Making or accepting phone calls on the course

* Texting

* Posting to your thousands of Facebook fans, Instagram followers, etc.  If you absolutely MUST share with the waiting masses, please stop and step off of the course to do so.  Otherwise, you will cause a backup and a safety issue.

* Pets and strollers

* Walking sticks, selfie sticks, scooters, skateboards or any other wheeled devices.  These items are a hazard to your fellow runners.

At the Finish

Once you cross the finish line and collect your finisher’s medal, you are invited to enjoy some great food from Mamma Lucia including scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, hot pizza, grilled sausage, fresh fruit, drinks and more, while you rest your weary legs and party with the friends you made over the last 13.1 miles at the post-race celebration!

Awards

The Parks Half Marathon offers awards for MCRRC Members, Place Finishers, Masters, and Age Groups as listed on our website. Please note that awards will not be available on-site and will be mailed in the weeks following the race.  

If you are an elite runner and are interested in participating, please contact Jim Whitnah at jimwhitnah@aol.com.

Returning to the Start After the Race

Your best bet is to take Metro back to the Start, i.e. Shady Grove Metro. Grosvenor Metro station is located a few hundred yards north of the finish festival. Please note that you must have a plastic SmarTrip card, as paper fare cards are no longer available. You can also purchase SmarTrip from your mobile phone using Apple Wallet and Google Pay, and this allows you a contactless way to purchase a transit card to pay for Metro. Please see www.wmata.com.

If you are a marathoner, simply turn around after finishing and re-trace your steps back to the start!

Getting Back to the Start - Please Be Careful – Construction Area Near the Finish Area

Please be careful if you plan to walk between the Finish Area and Grosvenor Metro. The sidewalk on the eastern side of MD-355 (Rockville Pike) between Tuckerman Lane and Grosvenor Lane is closed because of construction. On race day, we will cone off one lane on the northbound side of Rockville Pike between Tuckerman and Grosvenor Lanes so that you will have a safe way to travel to and from the metro, and there will be a Montgomery County police officer covering this area from 6AM to noon. Please be careful when walking to and from the metro as your safety is our priority.

A Note on Weather

We don’t want them either, but ’tis the season for rain, flooding, flying cattle, and D.C. area humidity.  Be sure to check the race website and social media in the event that severe weather concerns are forecasted for race weekend. Impacts, if any, to race weekend will be posted on the race website starting Wednesday, September 6th.

Race Proceeds

MCRRC is proud to donate a portion of the proceeds from the Parks Half Marathon to several local charities, as part of our mission to uphold social values and responsibilities.

Thank You, Sponsors!

This event would not be, possible without the generous support of our sponsors which can all be viewed on our website. Please take a moment to view their page and give them your business when and where the opportunity arises.

We look forward to seeing you at the finish line hope you have a great race!

Kiki C. Li

Race Director

Parks Half Marathon

parkshalfmarathon@mcrrc.org