Race Info

Location: Silver Spring, MD
Date: Sunday, April 18, 2010
Start Time: 9:00am
Distance: 5k

Beneficiaries

The beneficiary of this event is The Nature Conservancy. Read more about The Nature Conservancy on our ABOUT US page.

DONATE

Race for nature! Our goal for the Earth Day 5K is to raise $25,000 to build an oyster sanctuary in a Maryland river. You, along with your friends and family, can help us reach this goal. Learn more about this great project at:

Registration & Packet Pick-Up

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. WALK UP REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE AT PACKET PICK UP (space permitting)

REGISTRATION FEES

5K - $30
March 16th - April 17th

5K - $35
Race Day Registration

PACKET PICK UP

• Saturday, April 17 from 12:00pm - 6:00pm and race day
• Sunday (RACE DAY) April 18, from 7:30am - 8:45am at Pacers Running Stores - Silver Spring (8535 Fenton St).

Registrations will be accepted during packet pick up. You may pick up packets for friends/family members. No identification is required.

Course

This USATF-certified course runs through vibrant Silver Spring.

VIEW COURSE MAP - click here

Timing

This event will utilize IPICO timing tags. IPICO timing tags are durable, recyclable tags. You must use the tag assigned to you and have attached to your shoe. No chip = no time. Our timing tags are recyclable; you may keep your tag, return at the finish, or recycle at any Pacers Running Store.

Competition & Awards

Overall M/F
$100- 1st place
$75- 2nd place
$50- 3rd place

Age group awards (two deep M/F; merchandise prizes)

0-7; 8-10; 11-12; 13-15; 16-18; 19-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70+

An awards ceremony will take place around 10:30 am on race day.  Award winners who do not receive their award at the ceremony may pick up their prize at Pacers Silver Spring starting at noon on race day.  Awards will be held at Pacers Silver Spring until May 1. If you would like to have your award mailed or transferred to a different Pacers Running Store, please call 301-495-7811 to make your request. 

SPONSORSHIP AWARDS

Those participants working to get additional sponsorships for The Nature Conservancy’s oyster restoration project (nature.org/earthday5k) will be given additional awards as follows:

Get $1,000 in sponsorships - you’ll get a spot on the boat to help in the oyster reef planting

Get $500 in sponsorships - receive the brand-new Atlas for Conservation being released on Earth Day

Get $250 in sponsorships - gift membership to The Nature Conservancy

Directions - Parking - Transportation

The race starts and finishes on Ellsworth Drive near Pacers Silver Spring (Pacers Silver Spring address: 8535 Fenton Street).

PARKING

Ample complimentary parking is available in the garage parking lot adjacent to Pacers Silver Spring on Roeder Road. Please enter from Roeder Road.  Please note that exit may be delayed due to race traffic.  If you need to leave immediately after your run, consider parking on the street on Roeder or Fenton.

METRO

Pacers Silver Spring is located less than one mile from the Silver Spring METRO.  Please visit www.wmata.com for transportation schedules.

Weather and Safety Policy

In the event of extreme weather conditions, the race organizers reserve the right to cancel the race or run it as an untimed "Fun Run" without advance notice.

If this should be necessary:

The final decision regarding the conduct of the race will be made between 7:30am and 8:45am the morning of the race and will be announced over the race public address system. Follow runpacers on Twitter for all race related updates - click here

Road Closures

Ellsworth between Spring and Fenton will be closed from 8:00am-10:30am.

Spring Street between Ellsworth and Wayne will be closed from 8:30am-10:15am

Westbound lanes of Wayne between Spring/Cedar and Sligo Creek Parkway will be closed from 8:45am-10:00am

Southbound lanes of Sligo Creek Parkway will be closed from 8:45am-9:30am

Post Race Party!

Light fare will be served; awards ceremony will commence at our around 9:30am. Representatives from The Nature Conservancy and partner group Oyster Recovery Partnership will be there with interactive oyster displays and other material. Read more about The Nature Conservancy on our ABOUT US page.

Volunteers

We need volunteers! Please contact Kristen Hundley-Reeves at kristen@runpacers.com. Please see volunteer tab for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

May I pick up a packet for friends or family?
Yes, you may pick up a packet for someone else. Please just alert them that you will be picking up their packet.

May I register during packet pick up?
Yes, you can. We accept check, cash, and credit card.

Can I transfer my registration to another Pacers Event?
No. You may not request a transfer from one Pacers event to another Pacers event for any reason.

May I wear headphones during the run?
Yes, headphones are allowed at this event.  However, wear at your own risk; you are responsible for being aware of your surroundings and courteous to other participants.

May I run with a stroller?
Runners with strollers are responsible for maintaining control of their stroller and must be considerate of others around them. Please start in the back.

May I run with my dog?
Dogs are not allowed in the event, but gentle ones are welcome to watch.

Will there be a water stop?
Yes.

What is your refund policy?
Unfortunately, there are no refunds for this event. We also do not accept transfers or deferments for this event.

Is there a baggage drop?
Yes, you may store your bags inside Pacers Silver Spring.

Is there a team competition?
There is no team competition this year.

Is there a time cutoff for the event?
You must be able to complete the course in one hour.