Frederick Women's Distance Festival
- Date
- August 1–2, 2026
- Distance
- 5K Run/Walk · Athletes Serving Athletes 5K · Little Women 1K Fun Run & more
From the Organizer
Join us for the 37th annual Frederick Women's Distance Festival!
The Frederick Steeplechasers are bringing this exciting event back to Frederick Community College in 2026!
As with all Steeplechaser races, we will pay your processing fee. The registration fee you see is exactly what you'll pay! No sneaky add-on fees.
Net proceeds will again be donated to The Women's Giving Circle of Frederick County.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information, see our website at https://frederickwdf.com
HISTORY
In 1979, the RRCA started the Women’s Distance Festival in response to the lack of distance running events in the Olympic Games for women. The first Women’s Distance Festival events were held on July 13, 1980, the date of the men’s marathon at the Moscow Olympics. Today, the Women’s Distance Festival celebrates the history of women’s right to participate in running events at any distance and at any age. While women’s participation in distance running nearly matches that of men, the Women’s Distance Festival continues to serve as a celebration of the determination and dedication of women runners across the country.
TEAMS
Participants of the 5k Run/Walk may optionally register as part of a team. In-person runners who are competing on a team are also eligible for individual awards.
| Team Type | Description | Minimum Team Size |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Any combination of mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, granddaughter, wife, partner, etc (you know who your family is!) | 2 |
| Friends | Any company, civic organization, club, friends | 4 |
Registrants who wish to participate in the team competition must provide the team name and team category during registration.
If you are registering a large team and would like to pay in a single payment, contact the race director at info@frederickwdf.com.
SPONSORS
Please consider supporting the event through one of our sponsorship opportunities. See www.frederickwdf.com/sponsors.
TRAINING
The Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club offers a nine-week summer training program for women in preparation for the Frederick Women's Distance Festival 5k. The coaches are excited to be able to bring our beloved women's 5k training program back this year for in-person training runs.
Registration for the training program is separate from registration for the race. Signup at: https://runsignup.com/fsrcwdf5ktraining. The training program is free for members of the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club. If you're not already a member, you will need to signup before registering for the training program.
For more information about our training program see: https://steeplechasers.org/training/training-programs/wdf-5k-training-program/
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
88°
Typical Low
68°
Chance of Rain
29%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Frederick Police Brks, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Frederick, MD
Population
80,617
as of 2023
Elevation
329 ft
Nearest Airport
HGR
Hagerstown Regional Richard A Henson Field · 26 mi
Major Hub
IAD
Washington Dulles International Airport · 33 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Frederick Women's Distance Festival, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
54
Days to train
- Race
- Frederick Women's Distance Festival
- Date
- August 1–2, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Frederick, MD
Frederick Summer Solstice 8K
8K
5 miles away
FSRC Independence 5000
Less than a mile away
Frederick Market Street Mile
Less than a mile away
Spook Hill Cider & Wine 4 Mile Run
12 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Frederick Women's Distance Festival?
- Frederick Women's Distance Festival is a running race held in Frederick, Maryland on August 1, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Frederick Women's Distance Festival?
- Saturday, August 1, 2026 in Frederick, Maryland at Frederick Community College Student Center, Frederick, MD. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Frederick Women's Distance Festival?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Frederick Women's Distance Festival
Aug 1, 2026