Event set for Sept. 20-21
SALISBURY, Md. – Twenty-four hours. Twenty-four 5Ks.
The new Pemberton 24 – Festival of 5Ks event offers the opportunity for runners to participate in as many 5Ks as they wish during a 24-hour period from Friday-Saturday, Sept. 20-21. This event is a partnership between Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism and Algonquin Ultras Inc.
A 5K will start every hour on the hour for 24 hours at Pemberton Historical Park in Salisbury beginning at 7 p.m. Sept. 20. Runners can complete up to a total of 75 miles.
“The Pemberton 24 is a very unique running event that will allow participants to run as many or as few 5Ks as they would like within a day,” said race director Trent Swanson. “To our knowledge, there is no race like it anywhere. Runners can run a few 5Ks at night and a few more in the morning or they can be really crazy and try to run all 24 5Ks.”
There will also be a festival atmosphere. People can reserve a camping spot and camp in tents overnight; no electricity is provided.
“When not running, participants can enjoy food from different vendors, beer and music,” said Allen Swiger, program director for Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism. “This event also offers the unique opportunity to camp at Pemberton Park.”
The course will be on the trails of Pemberton Park, and there will be an aid station with water, snacks, gels, chips, sodas and more. Runners must have a headlamp if they plan to run any night 5Ks, along with a water bottle or hydration belt, as this is a cup-less race.
The Pemberton 24 will not be a typical race. There will be a timing clock; however, winners will be determined based on a point system. Runners can compete as individuals or as part of a four-person team.
Early registration is $50, and late/on-site registration – Sept. 1 or later – is $60. The shirt deadline is Aug. 31, and long-sleeved shirts are available for an additional $5 if reserved by that date. Camping is $10 for a 10-foot by 10-foot space; the deadline to register for camping is also Aug. 31.
The grounds open and packet pickup begins at 4 p.m. Sept. 20.
“This is an exciting opportunity for local and far away runners to see how many 5Ks they can run,” Swanson said.
Registration and further details about the event, scoring and rules can be found at www.PembertonPark.org. People can also register in person at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center box office at 500 Glen Ave. in Salisbury (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.).
