Registration Opens for Kentlands-Lakelands 5K, Kids Fun Runs

From City of Gaithersburg:

Online registration closes Sept. 2 for the 23rd annual Kentlands/Lakelands 5K run, walk and Kids Fun Run events, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3. The popular, chip-timed run/walk, limited to the first 1,500 registrants, may sell out, and early online registration is encouraged. The early registration discount ends on Aug. 15. The Kids Fun Run events are limited to the first 350 registrants.

The Labor Day weekend event includes a 5K run and walk, two Kids Fun Run events and a post-race Merchant Expo on Market St., bringing thousands of participants to Kentlands Downtown. This year’s event features a new beer and wine garden hosted by The Wine Harvest. The beverages will be $5 per glass. There will also be a post-race raffle for all participants.

The loop course, featuring water stops and live entertainment, winds through Lakelands and Kentlands, starting and finishing on Main St. behind Market Square Plaza. The course passes by many civic landmarks, allowing participants to experience the uniqueness of this new, urbanist community. View the race map online. Note that parking restrictions will be in place throughout Kentlands and Lakelands. Parking restrictions for the Kentlands and for the Lakelands can be found online.

Hosted by the nonprofit Kentlands Community Foundation in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg, the Kentlands/Lakelands race has grown to be the largest 5K in Montgomery County. The Kentlands Community Foundation annually donates 50 percent of race proceeds to local charities. In 2015, a total of $13,200 was donated to the City of Gaithersburg’s Dolores Swoyer Camp Scholarship Fund, The Dwelling Place and Maryland Senior Olympics.

Online registration is available. Registration is also available in person at one of two race packet pickup events in Kentlands or at the event itself on race day if space is available: Thursday, Sept. 1 from 3-7 p.m. at at Stiloes Family Dentistry, 333 Main St.; Friday, Sept. 2 from 3-8 p.m. at Fleet Feet Sports, 255 Kentlands Blvd. in the giant shopping center and Saturday, Sept. 3 at Kentlands Market Square.

Course Marshals and many other volunteers are needed to ensure that the route is clear and safe from traffic and to help the race, fun runs and post-race festivities run smoothly. All volunteers receive a free t-shirt, a free breakfast on race day and an invitation to the post-event “Thank You!” party. SSL hours are available for students.

Further information is available through the City of Gaithersburg website.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock