Female Runners and Walkers Invited to Participate
The New Balance Jenny Smith Baltimore Women's Classic 5K is gearing up for another year as America's second longest consecutively run all-women's race. The event began in March, 1976 when the Baltimore Road Runners Club (BRRC) hosted the "Women's 10,000 Meter Run" and there were 88 finishers. Jim Adams of Baltimore Running has stepped in twice during the past decade to ensure continuation of the women's race. The event is a celebration of life and fitness, and encourages women of all running and walking abilities to take control of their health.

The first 1000 registered runners will get a tech running shirt and blue "squiggly" shoe laces from New Balance, the Title Sponsor. Register early to guarantee a shirt. There will be two water stops, mile splits will be provided, and post race festivities will include massages, refreshments and music.

The BWC race is part of the National & Maryland Road Runner Club of America Women's Distance Festival series, held locally throughout Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. This year's New Balance Jenny Smith Baltimore Women's Classic is the 2007 MD RRCA Women's Championship 5K.

The course starts at the Baltimore Museum of Industry near Fort McHenry National Monument, and runs southeast of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The top eleven finishers in 2006 posted sub-20:00 times for the 5K, with 24-year-old Tatyana Chulakh winning in 16:44 and Ann McGranahan (27) of Blacksburg, VA finishing a close second in 17:01.

Online registration is available at Active.com through Tuesday, June 19. See the event Web site www.baltimorewomensclassic.com for complete information.

The race supports women's health issues, with proceeds benefiting the Barnett- Searing National Cancer Foundation with a special focus on gynecological cancers.

Cash Awards: The top three women overall will receive $300, $200, and $100; the top masters female (40 & up) and top grandmaster (50 & up) will each receive $100.

Teams: Register as a team and be eligible for special prizes. Prizes will be awarded for the largest team and the team raising the most money in pledges. Any group of five or more qualifies as a team. There will also be special recognition given to all mother/daughter teams.

WHEN: Sunday, June 24, 2007
6:30 am - Registration
8:00 am - Women's 5K
9:00 am - Co-Ed Kids' Fun Run (Ages 12 & younger)
9:15 am - Post Race Party, Live Music & Awards Ceremony (with random prizes)


WHERE: Baltimore Museum of Industry
1415 Key Highway
Baltimore, Maryland 21230


PACKET PICK-UP & REGISTRATION (Noon - 6:00 pm):
Thursday, June 21: New Balance White Marsh  (410-931-0796)
Friday, June 22: Falls Road Running Store Fells Point (until 7:00 pm)  (410-342-0305)
Saturday, June 23: Charm City Run-Timonium (410-561-3570)