Runner registration for this year's Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival is up 62 percent compared to this time last year. To date, more than 3,000 runners have registered for the event taking place Saturday, October 16. The Festival consists of five races: The Under Armour Baltimore Marathon, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Half-Marathon, Legg Mason 4-Person Team Relay, 5K, and Kid's Fun Run.

Registration is up in all five races with nearly 1,500 registered participants in the marathon, more than 1,200 in the half-marathon and 102 teams in the relay. All races have field limits: marathon, 4,000; half-marathon, 3,000; team relay, 750 teams; 5K and Kid's Fun Run, 1,000 each. Last year's half-marathon sold out.

In other news, the exchange points in the Legg Mason 4-Person Team Relay have changed for 2004 in an attempt to make the relay more attractive to the average runner. All four legs of the relay will vary from six to seven miles compared to the three to nine mile ranges last year. Also, thanks to the support of title sponsor Legg Mason, the event will award prizes to winning relay and Corporate Challenge teams. Awards include a dinner party at Phillips Seafood Restaurant, shoes from Falls Road Running store, memberships to Merritt Athletic Club, gift certificates to McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, and Maryland football tickets.

The 4th annual Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival takes place Saturday, October 16 at Ravens Stadium. For more information or to register for any race, visit the race Web site or call (410) 605-9381.