The Oktoberfest 5-Miler begins at 8:00AM. There will be 3 wave starts based on the estimated finish time you gave when you registered. Each wave will start shortly after the previous wave is on the course so be ready and lined up at 8:00AM.

The race finishes near Black Flag Brewing Company. Please do not park in the Black Flag Brewing Company parking lot(s) or any of the parking lots in that business park.

Street parking is available in the neighborhoods located off of Carved Stone Drive and Deepage Drive near the start, as well as Gerwig Lane and Berger Road near the finish. There is no parking or race traffic permitted in the Charm City Run parking lot or the Black Flag parking lot (or surrounding parking lots in the business park that surrounds Black Flag. The start and the finish are a short walk from each other (.5 miles). Please obey all posted no parking signs and be respectful of our neighbors (do not block driveways, leave trash behind, or park in parking lots for other businesses).

All registrations are online and available until the race starts or it is sold out.

There are 2 water stations on the course, at approximately 1.5 miles and 2.5 miles.

Packet pickup dates and times are below:

Saturday, October 25 from 10AM-2PM
Charm City Run - Columbia
7090 Deepage Drive
Columbia, MD 21045

Sunday, October 26 (Race Day) from 6:30 AM - 7:50 AM
Charm City Run - Columbia
7090 Deepage Drive
Columbia, MD 21045

We highly recommend attending the pre-race day packet pickup to avoid lines on race morning.

*Packet Pickup locations and times are subject to change. Final Packet Pickup information will be sent in pre-race emails.

Although we love dogs, they are not allowed on the race course.

Jogging strollers are permitted, but we ask that you start in the back of the pack so that your stroller does not create a tripping hazard.

A bag check is provided for runners at the start area.  We will have clear bags available at packet pickup for this purpose, as well as at the bag check area on race day. For security purposes, please use these clear bags for bag check. Your bib will have a tear off tag with your bib number, and zip ties will be provided to seal your bag and attach to the tag. Your bag will be transported from the start area to the post-race party.

Headphones or earbuds are allowed but we ask that you either use open ear headphones (like Shokz which you can purchase at Charm City Run :)). If you use other headphones, please keep the volume low so you can hear all course directions from course marshals.

There are porta-potties located at both the start area as well as at the post-race party.

Oktoberfest 5-Miler participants will receive a long sleeved race shirt at packet pickup and a finisher medal at the completion of the race.

You can change your shirt/premium size up until you pick up your race materials (subject to size availability)

Steps to Change your shirt size:
Click here to go to your runsignup.com profile page.
Click on "Manage Registration" to the right of the race listing
Select "Giveaway" from top menu.

Click here for a short video on how to change your shirt size

We try to order the exact shirt/premium sizes needed for the race, but sometimes sizes sell out before race day. If your shirt size is sold out, you can still register and either choose a different size or choose the "No Shirt/My Shirt Size Is Sold Out" option. You can inquire at packet pickup to see if the size you would like has become available, and if so, we can make the change (no shirt size changes are allowed on race morning). Lastly, you can check with the Charm City Run Information Tent after you finish your race, and if we have the size available at that time (due to no shows, other swaps, etc), we can exchange yours at that time.

Yes, someone can pick up your packet for you. They will just need your Registration QR code that you can find either in your registration confirmation email or pre-race email.

You can transfer your registration to another registrant up until 11:59PM on 10/26.

There is no fee to do so.

Steps to transfer to another participant:
Click here to go to your runsignup.com profile page.
Click on "Manage Registration" to the right of the race listing
Select "Transfer to Another Participant" from top menu.

Click here to view a short video on how to transfer your entry to another individual

Race registration fees (and the processing charge from RunSignup) are not refundable. These funds are used to pay for race premiums, permits, supplies, staffing, and other costs incurred before, during, and after the event is held. To be consistent and fair to everyone we cannot make exceptions to this policy.

Steps to Resend Your Confirmation Email (your confirmation email includes a QR code that can be used for packet pickup):
Click here to go to your runsignup.com profile page.
Click on "Resend Confirmation Email" to the right of the race listing

Click here for steps on how to resend your confirmation email

You can defer your registration up until 11:59PM on 10/25.

There is a fee to do so as follows: 

$17.90 thorugh 10/12
$33.80 from 10/13-10/25

Steps to Defer:
Click here to go to your runsignup.com profile page.
Click on "Manage Registration" to the right of the race listing
Select "Defer" from top menu.

Click here for a short video on how to defer your entry to next year's race