The second event of the Charm City Run (CCR) Distance Challenge, a 20 Miler, will be run on Sunday, September 5, 2004, at 7:45 AM. The purpose of the CCR Challenge is to incorporate distance events into the training for fall marathons such as Baltimore, Marine Corps, New York, Chicago, Richmond, and Philadelphia. The distance events will afford all of the runners an opportunity to evaluate their training programs and make any necessary adjustments and to practice pace, form and fluid replacement under race conditions. This is an ideal time for you and your training partner.

CCR offers the events because they know the value of the building up in the long runs. The shorter events are designed for the speed while the long runs build up the endurance. The marathon is the rite of passage for many runners and once completed they join an elite club. There is something to brag about and the major reward is crossing the finish line. At the conclusion of the CCR races, each participant is encouraged to do a self-evaluation to determine what they did right and what they did wrong. This will help to identify weak areas in their training.

Registration is $20 prior to August 20th (no shirt) and $35 (with performance shirt), and $30 August 21st and after (no shirt). Bus transportation is $2.00 (highly recommended); there is no parking at the start. For complete race details visit http://www.charmcityrun.com. The race is limited to the first 500 runners.

Late registration and packet pick-up will be September 4, 2004, from noon until 5 PM at Charm City Run, 2045 York Road in Timonium, MD. On race day, registration and packet pickup begin at 6AM at Ashland Marketplace (the finish), 11121 York Road.

The race starts in Freeland, MD and the finish is at Ashland Market Place at York Road and Ashland Road. The course is 20 miles down grade with 18 1/2 miles on the Northern Central Trail (NCT). The NCT is a stone dust surface which is 10 feet wide and is the same trail where the Northern Central Trail Marathon will take place.

There will be cash awards for the top open, master and Maryland residents (male/female) in the amount of $1,200. Gift certificates from Charm City Runs will be provided for age group winners in the following categories: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70 and over. The "Gun-time" will be used for all awards.

The two remaining CCR Distance events are a 10 miler on September 19, 2004, and the BRRC NCR Half-Marathon on October 3, 2004. For more information call, Dave Cooley, Race Director, at 410-377-8882 or e-mail dcoolman@charmcityrun.com .