WELCOME TO THE 51ST BWC 5K!
Race Location
Power Plant Live!
34 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202 US
View Location on Map
Events
5K Run
Virtual 5K Run
Charm City Run is thrilled to announce that the 51st annual MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K presented by New Balance race will take place on June 28, 2026!
Women of all participant levels from the Mid-Atlantic and across the country will share in the accomplishment of completing a 5K in scenic Baltimore City (or virtually from wherever they are!) in the nation’s second-oldest all-women’s race. We hope you'll join us!
AMENITIES
Participants in the 2026 MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K receive the following:
- A custom 2026 finisher medal (reveal coming soon!)
- Race themed T-shirt (reveal coming soon!)
- A rose at the finish line (in-person race only)
- Cool towel at the finish line (in-person race only)
- Snack spread and beverages at the post-race party (in-person race only)
- Complimentary alcoholic beverage for participants 21+ (in-person race only)
- Support, camaraderie, and encouragement through a network of strong & successful women
Want to run for free? With our referral program you can have your registration fee refunded!
Here is how it works:
1. Register online for the 2026 MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K presented by New Balance.
2. Receive a unique referral link via your confirmation page and email.
3. Share this link with your friends, family or post on social media.
4. After 5 registrants sign up using your unique referral link you will automatically receive a refund of your registration fee.
BIB MAILING OPTION
If you are participating in the in-person race and can not make it to the race packet pickup sessions, or if you simply prefer having the convenience, you may choose to have your race bib and shirt mailed to you for an additional fee. The bib mailing option will close on June 7th at 11:59 pm.
Virtual participants will have their race packet mailed to them automatically at no additional charge.
Please note: If you select the bib mailing option you cannot defer your entry to the following year after the bib mailing cutoff date of June 7th.
PACKET PICKUPS
Pre-race packet pick-up dates and times can be found below:
Monday, June 22nd from 4PM - 7PM
Charm City Run - Bel Air
126 S. Main Street #2
Bel Air, MD 21014
Tuesday, June 23rd from 4PM - 7PM
Charm City Run - Annapolis
87 Forest Plaza
Annapolis, MD 21401
Wednesday, June 24th from 3PM - 7PM
Charm City Run - Fells Point
1500 Thames Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
Thursday, June 25th from 3PM - 7PM
Charm City Run - Columbia
7090 Deepage Drive
Columbia, MD 21045
Friday, June 26th from 6PM - 8PM
Charm City Run - Timonium
1313 York Road
Timonium, MD 21093
Saturday, June 27th from 10AM - 2PM
Charm City Run - Timonium
1313 York Road
Timonium, MD 21093
Sunday, June 28th (race day) from 5:30AM - 7:15AM
Power Plant Live!
34 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
*Packet Pickup locations and times are subject to change. Final Packet Pickup information will be sent in pre-race emails.
**You may pick up packets for friends and family, but you must show their QR code email at packet pickup (they can forward it to you after they receive). This email is sent the week of packet pickup.
PARKING
While numerous parking options are available for race BWC participants and spectators, having a plan prior to race day will help avoid early morning headaches.
Nearby Garages:
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Harbor Park Garage (1 minute walk) - Click here to reserve discounted parking at Harbor Park Garage
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Pier 5 Parking (9 minute walk)
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Premium Parking - Calvert Street (6 minute walk)
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LAZ Inner Harbor Garage (5 minute walk)
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Baltimore Street Garage (6 minute walk)
Tips:
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Traffic will be heavy on southbound 83/President Street leading up to race time as vehicles from the north enter Baltimore City. If you are traveling from the north you may want to consider exiting 83 prior to Fayette Street to avoid backups.
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Prepaying for parking can be helpful, but also limits your options on race day if something unexpected occurs. Consider having a backup plan in case your intended garage is unavailable.
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
5:30 AM - Onsite registration and packet pick-up begins at Power Plant Live!
7:20 AM - National Anthem
7:30 AM - Race Start
9:00 AM - Awards Ceremony
POST-RACE PARTY!
After you hit the finish line the party begins!
- Your bib number includes a coupon for a complimentary drink. You can redeem this ticket at the event bar near the main stage.
- Snack spread at the post-race party (in-person race only).
- Music on the main PowerPlant Live! stage
- Visit the New Balance and Charm City Run mobile stores to shop great race merchandise and footwear.
- Other exciting activites to be announced!
AWARDS - PRIZE MONEY!
Participants in the in-person event are eligible for the following awards:
- Cash prizes for the top three women overall ($500, $250, $150), and to the top master (40+, $150), top grandmaster (50+, $150) and top senior grandmaster (60+, $150)
- Awards to top three finishers in age groups: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+.
Special Recognition and bragging rights for the largest team
Finisher Medals will be given to each participant that completes the 5K
COURSE
Click here for course map.
Course Time Limit: The Baltimore Women's Classic 5K has a course time limit of 1 and 1/2 hours (this is calculated from the time your wave crosses the start line).
Bikes, pets, roller skates, scooters, and other wheeled devices (with the exception of jogging strollers) are prohibited on the course. For the safety of all participants headphones are discouraged.
POST-RACE BRUNCH BUFFET
This year, Power Plant Live! will again be offering an all-you-can-eat post-race brunch. Brunch is $33.80 per ticket. You will be able to add the buffet during the registration process.
Menu to be announced closr to race day.
To add the brunch buffet if you are already registered, follow these directions:
1. Go to your runsignup.com profile page (runsignup.com/profile).
2. Click on "Manage Registration" to the right of the race listing under your upcoming events.
3. Select "Add-ons" from top menu.
4. Select "Post Race Brunch Buffet".
VIRTUAL RACE INFORMATION
We will again offer a virtual race option in 2026 for those who would like to participate but are not local, or those who would prefer not to join us in-person. Here's how the virtual race works:
- Register for the virtual event, and sign up for text or e-mail notifications
- Your race swag will be available for pickup at our packet pickups, or will be mailed to you at no additional cost. We will begin mailing virtual packets on June 30th.
- You'll receive a text or email (if you opt in) when the virtual race "starts" on June 28th.
- Run your race and submit your results either by text message or email (if you've opted in) or by heading to the results page here by June 29th at 11:59 PM Eastern Time). Results update in real time as people submit their times. Be sure to take a selfie and share on social media .
*Virtual race performances are not eligible for the overall event awards.
BENEFICIARIES
The House of Ruth Maryland leads the fight to end violence against women and their children by confronting the attitudes, behaviors and systems that perpetuate it, and by providing victims with the services necessary to rebuild their lives safely and free of fear.
Founded in 1977, House of Ruth Maryland is a nationally recognized leader in ending intimate partner violence, confronting the attitudes, behaviors and systems that perpetuate it, and providing victims with the services necessary to rebuild their lives safely and free of fear. This past year, House of Ruth Maryland provided comprehensive services to over 11,000 survivors—including shelter, a 24-hour hotline, legal advocacy, counseling, childcare, and prevention education—while holding those who cause harm accountable through an Abuse Intervention Program, the Gateway Project. If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, please call 410-889-7884.
In November 1998 a new 84-bed shelter and 6 apartment transitional housing, featuring expanded services and programs, opened. The new shelter has a holistic health and wellness program, including an on-site health clinic staffed by the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.
Today, House of Ruth Maryland is recognized as one of the nation’s most comprehensive domestic violence centers and has a staff of more than ninety. Our voluntary leadership consists of a thirty-member Board of Directors and an Advisory Committee.
Soles for Souls is a 501(3)(c) that primarily supports women who have experienced pregnancy loss due to miscarriage. We use movement, sound and collaboration as the three pillars of healing.
You will be prompted to make an extra donation during the registration process. You will be able to choose which beneficiary you would like your donation to go towards. 100% of extra donations will go directly to the chosen beneficiary. To make a donation without registering click the donation button at the top of this page.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Want to help out? We couldn't do it without our many volunteers! There are lots of opportunities to get involved at the MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K presented by New Balance. Click here to learn more and sign up. Don't forget - volunteers are eligible for our Volunteer Incentive Program where you can earn free entries to your favorite Charm City Run races!
Title Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors
Event Partner Sponsors
MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5k presented by New Balance: A Charm City Run Signature Event
The MedStar Health Baltimore Women's Classic 5K presented by New Balance is owned and operated by Charm City Run Events, a race management and production company located in the Baltimore region with races throughout the state of Maryland. Charm City Run Events is committed to providing a unique and supportive race environment to participants of all faces and paces. Like most runners, we live for the spirit of race day. We love watching friends cross their first finish line together and competitive runners hitting that PR. We also love the celebration afterwards (especially if there's a free beer at the finish!). From 5Ks to Half Marathons, Charm City Run Events offers some of the best in racing in the Mid-Atlantic region! For more information, please click here.
With seven store locations around Maryland, Charm City Run is a Running & Walking Specialty company that is committed to fitting every customer in the "right" shoe. If you are training for your next event or just looking for something comfortable to wear day-to-day stop in and check us out! Learn more at charmcityrun.com.
LIVE. GIVE. RUN.
Run with us in: Annapolis | Bel Air | Columbia | Fells Point
Frederick | Rehoboth Beach | Timonium
Train with us | Race with us
Contact Form
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Event Location
Power Plant Live!
34 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202 US
View Location on Map
