26 miles through 4 National Parks... Freedom's Run is possibly the most scenic race you have ever run. The event includes marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, and Kids' Fun Run.
The historical route and race organization has earned a "Top 25 Half Marathon" by Runner’s World Magazine in February 2013 and is the Highlight Race in October 2013 Runner’s World and a Bucket List Race.
Before you put your shoes on to walk or run the trails and roads, explore the history of the land you will explore. We give great thanks to our partners in the National Park Service, the towns of Sharpsburg and Shepherdstown, and Shepherd University for the privilege of hosting this event.
The entire marathon course is encased in National Park Land, with some brief detours through the country roads and preserved history towns that connect them.
The full marathon is a point to point with a small net elevation loss. You course 4.5 miles Harpers Ferry National Park, cover 10 flat miles on C&O Canal, roll over a country road to Antietam Battlefield for 2 miles, cover 5 rolling miles of the rich land of Antietam, and finish with 4.5 flat to downhill miles into Shepherdstown.
The half marathon runs a short segment on the C&O Canal after leaving West Virginia across the Potomac. You then join the marathon course and run the hills of Antietam. After the Antietam tour you run through historic Sharpsburg to return over the Rumsey Bridge to Shepherdstown.
The 5k and 10k are spectacular courses starting on German St Shepherdstown, running along the Potomac and River Road, and looping Rumsey Monument. A family friendly route. Enjoy.
