It is that time of year again.
As the temperature cools off, the fall running season is heating up. There are footraces throughout the region that raise funds for various causes.
One of those races is the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival, which includes the Baltimore marathon, is Oct. 13. The festival is organized by Corrigan Sports Enterprises (CSE), an Elkridge-based sports and event marketing firm that organizes regional events.
Lee Corrigan, president of CSE and a parishioner of St. Louis, Clarksville, noted $1 million from the event goes to charity each year.
More than 25,000 runners are expected to participate in this year’s festival, an increase of about 18,000 participants since the 2001 inaugural, Corrigan said.
Today, the event includes a kids fun run, 5K, half-marathon, team relay and marathon.
One of the relay teams runs in honor of Mark Ragonese, the former vice president of operations for CSE, who was paralyzed in a freak accident in June 2008 while setting up for an event.
The day of the accident “was a very important day for us,” said Corrigan, who calls Ragonese “an inspiration.”
“It’s a wakeup call,” Corrigan said. “It helps give you a little perspective. You really realize what’s important.”
For information about Ragonese, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/rags.
Catholic parishes, schools, institutions and other worthy causes highlight the fall running and walking calendar.
Oct. 6
Gabriel Network’s 5K Walk/Run
Meadowbrook Park, Ellicott City, 9:30 a.m.
gabrielnetwork.org/5k
Oct. 13
Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival
Camden Yards, marathon begins at 8 a.m.
thebaltimoremarathon.com
Oct. 20
St. Francis of Assisi 5K cross country race and fun run
Herring Run Park, Baltimore, 8:30 a.m.
Active.com
Oct. 20
St. Ursula 5K and 1-mile walk
St. Ursula School, Parkville, 9 a.m.
runwashington.com
Oct. 21
Charm City Run Kids XC Series
Loyola Blakefield, 3:30 p.m.
charmcityrun.com
Nov. 18
Run 4 Life Dustin Bauer Memorial 5K and 1-mile walk
Oregon Ridge Park, Cockeysville, 4 p.m.
charmcityrun.com