The Oriole Advocates join the celebration of 50 years of Baltimore Orioles baseball with the 16th Annual 8K Home Run, Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, March 28th. The 8K Home Run begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Ellerslie Lot on 33rd Street, near the old Memorial Stadium. The Fun Run/Walk also begins at 9:00 a.m. at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Ellerslie Lot for 8K participants or Gate B at Oriole Park for the Fun Run/Walk participants. There will be bus transportation available from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for those participating in the 8K Home Run as well as free parking in Lots B&C at Oriole Park until 11:30 a.m.

Race packet pickup will take place on Saturday, March 27th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Charm City Run, 2045 York Road, Lutherville, 410-561-3570.

Proceeds from this event benefit the work of The Oriole Advocates Charitable Foundation which supports leagues for the underprivileged and the physically and mentally challenged as well as clinics for youth, coaches and umpires.

The 8K course will take runners from stadium to stadium in celebration of the Baltimore Orioles 50th anniversary. Though Memorial Stadium as been torn down, the race begins at the site of the old stadium at the Ellerslie Lot and continues through Baltimore, ending on the Warning Track at Oriole Park. The Fun Run/Walk (1 mile) will go throughout the parking lots and lower concourse areas of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and will finish at the O's dugout. The awards ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m.

The Charm City Run will use the AMB-IT Chip Timing System. All chips must be worn on the ankle and returned at the finish line.

The 8K race entry fee for adults is $23 if postmarked by March 20, 2004; $25 thereafter and $30 on race day. The adult Fun Run/Walk entry fee is $20 if postmarked by March 20th; $23 thereafter and $25 on race day. The entry fee for children 12 & under is $13 through March 20th and $18 on race day. Awards will be given to the first three finishers (8K only) in the Open Division, Male & Female, and there will be age group awards as well.

Commemorative T-shirts will be given to all registered participants along with a takeaway meal provided by Outback Steakhouse. Plus there will be drawings for random prizes to those present during the post-race festivities.

Online registration is available at www.charmcityrun.com. For more information contact Race Director Dave Cooley, phone 410-377-8882, fax 410-372-0560 or e-mail dcoolman@charmcityrun.com , or visit us at www.orioleadvocates.org.