October 18, 2025

Baltimore to Host 25th Annual Running Festival in 2025

News Summary

The 25th annual Baltimore Running Festival is set for October 18, 2025, expecting over 14,000 participants. Various races including a marathon, half-marathon, and 5K will occur downtown, alongside notable road closures and parking restrictions. Attendees are advised to use public transport and plan routes carefully due to expected congestion and simultaneous events like Baltimore Comic-Con and protests against President Trump’s policies. The festival promises to be a memorable occasion, honoring dedicated runners who have participated since its inception.

Baltimore is set to host the 25th annual Baltimore Running Festival on Saturday, October 18, 2025, attracting more than 14,000 participants. This much-anticipated event will feature various races, including a marathon, a CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Half-Marathon, a 5K race, and a Pandora 10K race, scheduled to take place between 7:30 AM and 3 PM. However, attendees and local residents should be prepared for extensive road closures, parking restrictions, and limitations on commercial vehicle access throughout downtown Baltimore as preparations are made for the festival.

Pratt Street will be fully closed to traffic from 9 PM on Friday, October 17, from Charles Street to Light Street. Existing lane closures along Light Street may already cause some inconvenience for travelers. Parking restrictions will take effect from 8 PM on the same Friday night and will continue until 6 PM on Saturday. City officials are advising all drivers to anticipate traffic stops and significant delays on race day and are encouraging residents and visitors to utilize alternate routes outside of the designated racecourse for smoother transit. Public transportation is strongly recommended for those attending the event to avoid congestion.

As part of the festival festivities, participants are expected to pick up their bibs at the Inner Harbor on the evening of October 17, building excitement as the event nears. The marathon will officially kick off at 8 AM on Saturday at the intersection of Paca and Camden Streets. The finish line celebrations for participants will also take place at the Inner Harbor, creating a vibrant atmosphere as runners cross the finish line.

In addition to the running festival, Baltimore will also welcome thousands at the Baltimore Comic-Con, occurring concurrently from October 17-19, 2025, at the Baltimore Convention Center. Comic-Con organizers have recommended that attendees also consider using mass transit or pre-purchasing parking spaces to alleviate the expected traffic issues related to both events.

Furthermore, on the same weekend, a No Kings protest is set to coincide with the festivities to express opposition to President Trump’s policies, further contributing to the bustling atmosphere in the city.

This year’s marathon and associated races will recognize a number of dedicated runners who have participated since the inaugural festival. A special tribute will be given to those reaching the milestone of completing their 25th race, reflecting the enduring spirit and community engagement surrounding the Baltimore Running Festival.

Overall, the 25th annual Baltimore Running Festival promises to be a memorable occasion for participants and spectators alike, albeit with considerable logistical challenges posed by road closures and simultaneous events, particularly the Baltimore Comic-Con. As such, attendees are encouraged to plan accordingly and make use of available public transport systems for the best experience during the busy weekend.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER

The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.

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