The fifth annual Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival will take place Saturday, October 15, 2005 and will feature the Under Armour Baltimore Marathon, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Half-Marathon, Legg Mason Funds Team Relay, 5K and CitiFinancial Kid's Fun Run. Plans are in the works to mark the fifth anniversary in a special way.

The 2004 event drew a record number 9,500 registered runners competing for a share of the $100,000 purse, an increase of $70,000 from the 2003 event. Race records in the marathon and half-marathon, both male and female, were set last year as the increased purse drew a competitive field. John Itati (2:14:51) and Ramilia Burangulova (2:40:21) were the winners in the marathon and Haji Abdrrahim (1:03:45) and Silvia Skvortsova (1:15:30) in the half-marathon. Read Jim Hage's story on the 2004 race.

Under Armour Performance Apparel will again title sponsor the 2005 marathon. In addition to sponsoring the Festival, Under Armour will provide performance gear for registered runners in the marathon, half-marathon and team relay.

As a special bonus to kick off the 5th Anniversary, the Baltimore Running Festival, along with MetroSports Magazine, is conducting a special VIP of Charm City Contest for all runners who register on-line prior to February 1, 2005. Here's how it works:

1) Register online using Active.com prior to February 1, 2005 and you will be automatically entered to win. Once again, there will be NO ON-LINE SURCHARGE for using this service. By registering early, you will save up to $20 off the late registration fee.

2) The grand prize features a two-night stay in an Inner Harbor hotel during race weekend, an Official Baltimore Running Festival Merchandise Pack featuring Under Armour Performance Gear, dinner for two at McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurant and a $50 shopping spree at Falls Road Running Store. Two (2) second-place prizes feature an Official Merchandise Pack with Under Armour Performance Gear.

3) Winners will be randomly selected from all runners who registered online prior to the deadline and will be notified after 2/15/05.

Registration for all races is now open on-line at www.thebaltimoremarathon.com or call 410-605-9381 to receive application in the mail.