Corrigan Sports Enterprises knows the formula for organizing running festivals.
The Elkridge-based company is the founder and operator of the Baltimore Running Festival, which has developed a nationwide reputation during its 22-year existence. It also organizes the Delaware Running Festival, Frederick Running Festival and Ocean City Running Festival, among others.
Company President Lee Corrigan was confident that Annapolis could host such an event. His instincts were proven correct when the inaugural Annapolis Running Festival attracted 2,500 participants last year.
Annapolis has been further validated as a racing destination by the fact the second Annapolis Running Festival on Saturday is sold out and will feature 3,300 competitors hailing from 38 states.
Runners will be competing in three races — a half-marathon (13.1 miles), 10K and 5K, all of which begin at 7 a.m. All three races start and end at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and will take participants to City Dock via Main Street (against traffic).
“Obviously, that is a great level of growth,” Corrigan said. “Hopefully, the event will continue to grow each year going forward.”
Last year’s Annapolis Running Festival drew runners from 28 states. The addition of runners from 10 more states is evidence word has spread quickly that it’s aworthwhile event.
“That just goes to show the idea of the festival is working. It’s bringing people here to Annapolis,” Corrigan said. “The mayor and all the folks with the tourism bureau love that figure because it spells economic impact.”
Brandi McKeating, assistant director of communications for Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, said the organization did not create an economic impact report specifically for last year’s event. However, McKeating said it’s “undeniable” the Annapolis Running Festival has a significant positive impact on the region’s economy.
“As the festival enters its second year, it attracts both participants and spectators, which in turn drives exposure to our destination and stimulates local businesses,” McKeating wrote in an email. “This is especially true as it takes place during the beginning of the spring season when business is typically slower.
Mayor Gavin Buckley and Ward 2 Alderwoman Karma O’Neill were among the many Annapolis officials who attended a news conference to preview the event Wednesday at The Choptank Restaurant.
During his remarks, Buckley noted that he leisurely jogs around Annapolis almost every morning and described the city as being extremely “walkable, runnable and bikeable.” Working with Corrigan has been a pleasure because “the level of professionalism is beyond reproach,” said Buckley, who thanked the organizers for showing appreciation for all those who work behind the scenes to make the Annapolis Running Festival a success, such as members of the police and fire departments.
“Hopefully, all the runners will really appreciate this beautiful city and its waterfront views. I can understand why there are people from more states coming to do this event because it’s such a cool town to run through,” Buckley said. “We’re looking forward to seeing your organization grow this and continue to make Annapolis one of the top running cities in the country.
“We know this event has a massive economic impact; it brings people to our hotels and to our restaurants,” Buckley added. “Annapolis is a special place, and this is a special race.”
The half marathon will take runners toward Arnold on Route 450 then onto the B&A Trail to a turnaround marker just shy of Joyce Lane. The 10K also crosses the Naval Academy Bridge before a counter-clockwise turn sends runners back to Taylor Avenue.
O’Neill, who is participating in the 5K race, expressed excitement about how the event “showcases our city.”
This year’s event once again features a “Racer Chaser,” who starts the half marathon dead last and attempts to pass as many runners as possible. This year it will be Annapolis Police Officer Courtney Moore. Corriganwill donate $4 for every runner Moore passes to the Annapolis Police Foundation.
O’Neill joked that her goal is not to get passed by the “Racer Chaser.”
Corrigan selected an early spring date because it did not conflict with any other major events in Annapolis. The company also wanted to be months apart from the Annapolis 10-Mile Run, the popular event organized by the Annapolis Striders and held in late August.
“It was by design to definitely not be anywhere near the window of the Annapolis 10-Mile Run,” Corrigan said. “The Striders have been very supportive, and we expect to have plenty of their members out there Saturday. There is a great relationship there and a lot of mutual respect.”
Annapolis Striders President Casey Rayburg said the organization is fully supportive of the festival and confirmed that many members will be participating. Rayburg, one of the most competitive runners in Annapolis, said the event aligns with the Striders’ mission: to improve physical fitness and mental well-being through the promotion and encouragement of long-distance running.
Bob Cawood, running columnist for The Capital and an active member of the Annapolis Striders, called the Annapolis Running Festival a “welcome addition” to the local calendar. Cawood noted the Road Runners Club of America designated Annapolis as a “running-friendly community” in 2017.
“Corrigan Sports has organized many quality events in the state and the Annapolis Running Festival will continue in that tradition,” he said, “offering a worthy challenge for the competitive and the casual runner while giving back to the community.”
During Wednesday’s news conference, Corrigan Sports Enterprises presented a $2,500 check to Jack Keane, immediate past president of the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails.
Corrigan worked closely with Sgt. Paul Gibbs, special events coordinator for the Annapolis Police Department, on routes for the various races. Gibbs works to deliver a balance between competitive traffic and automobile traffic through strategic road closures.
“Some cities just don’t work in terms of traffic patterns and the main arteries for an event such as this. Annapolis does and we put a lot of time and effort into creating a course that shows off all the great aspects of this historic city,” Corrigan said. “Annapolis has a lot of great advantages. No. 1 is the stadium complex because parking is not a problem, and it also works great as a start-finish location.”
Corrigan Sports Enterprises will have 15 full-time employees on-site to manage the race. Additionally, a fleet of 300 volunteers will help with such tasks as managing the start-finish line and handing out water on the course.
Lee Corrigan would like to see the Annapolis Running Festival gradually increase participationover a period of years and expects city officials to eventually determine a cap for the total number of competitors.
“We want smart growth. You don’t want to double your field overnight because unforeseen things will happen. You want to grow at around 20 to 25% per year. That way you can address any issues that might arise,” he said. “We want to establish the Annapolis Running Festival as a local institution, just like the Annapolis 10-Mile Run.”
To see what roads will be closed Saturday morning because of the festival, go to: annapolis.gov/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Downtown-Road-Closures-Saturday-March-9-72
