RACE
SELLS OUT
FAST!
LITTLE PATUXENT RIVER TRAIL
HALF MARATHON |10K | 5K
JAN 31 - FEB 1, 2026 | COLUMBIA, MD
UPDATE - JAN 27, 2026 AT 3:30 PM
THE 2026 RACE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR FEB 21. READ FULL ANNOUNCEMENT HERE.
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SOLD OUT RACE FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS!
10K & HALF MARATHON RACE TYPICALLY
SELLS OUT IN 10 HOURS!
RACE CAPACITY - 1,000 RUNNERS
THE RACE
VERY popular race! Starting and finishing at the Guilford Pratt Truss Bridge in Columbia, the Half Marathon (13.1 miles), 10K (6.55 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles) takes place on the Patuxent and Wincopin trails. The course runs along the Little Patuxent and Middle Patuxent River. The terrain is tame compared to many other trail races and includes a mixture of natural surface and paved road. This race is appropriate for beginners and intermediate runners.
(UPDATED - JAN 27, 2026 AT 3:30 PM)
5K - Saturday, Feb 21, 2026 @ 8:00 AM
Half Marathon & 10K - Saturday, Feb 21, 2026 @ 10:00 AM
Register and complete one of the following options to earn 3 finisher medals.
Option 1 - 5K + 10K
Option 2 - 5K + Half Marathon
RACE LOCATION
Patuxent Branch Trail Parking Lot
9190 Old Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD 21046
RACE CAPACITY
The 5K will have a max capacity of 250 runners.
The 10K & Half Marathon will have a combined race capacity of 1,000 runners.
AGE REQUIREMENT
Runners must be at least 14 years old to participate in the half marathon.
Runners must be at least 7 years old for the 5K & 10K.
REGISTRATION
Race registration includes soft cotton long sleeve shirt, knit gloves, and up to 3 finisher medals!
Fee listed on RunSignUp.com reflects the total price of the event (service fee included).
10K & Half Marathon - SOLD OUT
5K - SOLDOUT
(as of Dec 31, 2025)
Registration Fee
5K - $45
10K - $60
Half Marathon - $70
5K + 10K - $105
5K + Half Marathon - $115
Registration transfers are not permitted to other RIVAL race events. Race organizers reserve the right to close registration due to capacity limits. Race organizers reserve the right to delay or cancel event due to extreme weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Pets, baby joggers/strollers, in-line skates, bicycles, and any other non-official wheeled vehicles are prohibited.
RACE SWAG
Includes a 1 long sleeve shirt, knit gloves, and up to 3 finisher medals!
RACE INFO
VENUE
Patuxent Branch Trail Parking Lot
9190 Old Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD 21046
RACE FORMAT AND WAVE START
5K
To reduce the amount of passing during the race, a time trial start format will be used for the 5K race. Runners will cross the start line one at a time. Runners will be spaced 2-3 seconds apart from each other. Faster runners in the front of the line. Slower runners in the back of the line.
The first runner will begin at 8:00 AM on Saturday, Feb 21, 2026.
Half Marathon & 10K
To ensure runner safety and to reduce the amount of passing during the first few miles of the race, participants have been placed into waves based on their average pace per mile as entered during online registration. Each wave will consists of 150+ runners and will start 3 minutes apart. Participants must start in their assigned waves.
Your individual run time starts when you cross under the starting arch within each wave. If your average pace is listed incorrectly, but only by 30 seconds or so, please remain in your assigned wave. If you feel strongly that you should be placed in a different wave, please request via email to racedirector@ripitevents.com.
Requesting to start in a wave with a friend or family member is NOT a valid reason to switch waves. There are over 1,000 runners in this race and we can not accommodate special requests for everyone. We thank you for your understanding. Wave start list will be posted 1 week from race day.
RACE DAY TIMELINE
(UPDATED - JAN 27, 2026 AT 3:30 PM)
Friday, Feb 20
4:00 PM - Packet Pick Up Opens
6:00 PM - Packet Pick Up Closes
Saturday, Feb 21
6:30 AM - Packet Pick Up Opens
8:00 AM - 5K start
10:00 AM HM & 10K START - WAVE 1
10:03 AM - WAVE 2
10:06 AM - WAVE 3
10:09 AM - WAVE 4
10:12 AM - WAVE 5
10:15 AM - WAVE 6
11:30 AM - 10K Awards (estimated)
12:30 PM - Half Marathon Awards (estimated)
PACKET PICK UP
(UPDATED - JAN 27, 2026 AT 3:30 PM)
Registered participants are required to pick up their packet before the start of the race. You packet includes your race bib, timing chip, shirt and gloves. Runners must present a photo ID to pick up their packet
If you're unable to attend packet pick-up, someone may pick up your packet on your behalf. He/she MUST have a copy of the participants photo ID and permission note signed by the participant. No exceptions.
The easiest way to accomplish this is to have the participant send a photo of their ID and a photo of a hand written note to your phone. Present this image to staff at packet pick up.
IMPORTANT - Runners who are participating in the DOUBLE challenge (racing both 5K and HM or 10K) will be given ONE bib number at packet pick up. Please use this same bib number for both races (do not remove timing strip from back of bib). DO NOT FORGET to bring your bib number to both races. If you forget or loose your bib number, we can issue you a new bib number at packet pick up on Sunday.
Please choose one of the following Packet Pick-Up options:
(UPDATED - JAN 27, 2026 AT 3:30 PM)
Friday, Feb 20, 2026
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM @ TBD
or
Saturday, Feb 21, 2026
6:30 AM - 10:00 AM @ race venue
Guilford Pratt Truss Bridge Parking Lot
9175 Guilford Road, Columbia, MD 21046
BIB TRANSFERS
Allowing a non-registered runner to use your bib is NOT PERMITTED.
This race typically sells out quickly. It is unfair to give your race bib to someone else. There will be many people who were not able to register before the sell out and this would not be fair to all. Additionally, runners will receive detailed information from us days leading up to the event with updated safety requirements. Non-registered runners will not have signed the waiver and will not have receive communication from us.
RACE CATEGORY CHANGES
(UPDATED - JAN 27, 2026 AT 3:30 PM)
Prior to race weekend:
If you decide to switch from the Half Marathon to the 10K (or vice versa), please let us know by email prior to race day. The deadline to switch race category by email is Wednesday, Feb 18. Please email
Prior to the start of the race:
Runners may elect to switch from the Half Marathon to the 10K (or vice versa), at packet pick up on Feb 20 or Feb 21. Please let us know when you pick up your race bib.
Switching during the race:
Half Marathon Runners - If during the race, you decided not to complete both loops of the half marathon course, you will be removed from the race results (marked as DQ) and will not be eligible for awards. All runners will still receive a finisher medal.
IMPORTANT!
10K runners may NOT bump up to the half marathon distance during the race.
TIMING & WITHDRAWING DURING THE RACE
Your timing chip (white strip) is affixed to the back of your race number bib. Do not remove this timing chip. You can throw away your timing chip/race number at the conclusion of the race if you'd like. It is disposable.
If you drop out of the race at any point, please notify member of the race staff. It is essential that we know where you are on the course at all times for your safety and our peace of mind.
RUN COURSE
The 5K, 10K (6.55 miles), & Half Marathon courses run along the Little & Middle Patuxent River. The races start and finish at the Guilford Pratt Truss Bridge on Guilford Road in Columbia, MD. The races are a loop course along the Patuxent and Wincopin Trails. 3 miles of the course is packed gravel trail and 3 miles of the course is on natural surface trail. A very small portion of the course is on paved/sidewalk surface.
The following are prohibited from the course: pets, baby joggers/strollers, in-line skates, bicycles, and any other non-official wheeled vehicles.
5K course - (one loop) is 3.1 miles in length (out & back).
10K course - (one loop) is 6.55 miles in length.
Half marathon - is the 10K loop twice.
To view the course map, click HERE.
To view the venue map, click HERE.
HALF MARATHON COURSE REQUIREMENT
All runners in the Half Marathon will reach mile 6.55 (start 2nd loop) within 2 hours after the start of the last wave (11:15 AM). Runners that have not completed this distance within 2 hours will not be permitted to continue on the course.
WATER STATIONS
There are NO water stations on the 5K course.
Participants are encouraged to carry their own hydration.
There are two water stations on the 6.55 mile looped course.
Water Station # 1 at mile 1.5
(all runners will pass through this station twice each loop)
Water Station # 2 at mile 6
(all runners will pass through this station twice each loop)
BATHROOMS
Porta-potties will be stationed at the start/finish line and at the water station at mile 1.5.
PARTICIPANT SHIRT & FINISHER MEDAL
Participants will receive the shirt size they selected at online registration. We will purchase extra participant shirts for those who wish to exchange their shirt for a different size. Shirt exchanges can be completed at the conclusion of your race. Athletes will receive a finisher medal at the finish line.
TIMING & RESULTS
This race will be using bib tag timing. Your timing chip will be affixed to the back side of your bib number. Please do not remove your timing chip. Results will be posted directly online in real time. Finishers can use their smart phone to access their individual results by viewing the RESULTS webpage at the conclusion of their race.
AWARDS
Awards will be given to following categories for the 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon.
Overall Male - Top 3
Overall Female - Top 3
Overall Non-Binary - Top 3
Age Group - Top 3 (male & female) 7-8, 9-10, 11-13, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39,
40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89
Participants must accept their award in-person at the conclusion of the race.
Awards will NOT be mailed to participants. Friends of runners may accept an award on your behalf.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the case of inclement weather, all participants will be notified of changes to the race by email. A message will be at the top of the race web site and will be posted on our social media channels. This race will be run in the rain and light snow.
CONTACT
We look forward to seeing you on race morning!
Please send any questions/concerns to racedirector@ripitevents.com.