46th Annual Gary Brown Memorial C&O Canal Five Mile Run

Race Overview

The 46th Annual Gary Brown Memorial C&O Canal Five Mile Run event will be held on the C&O Canal Towpath in Williamsport, MD. This event is geared towards all levels from beginners to advanced runners.

The Legacy of Gary Brown

• Background: In the 1960's, Gary Brown was a star distance runner for Martinsburg High School, Shepherd College and the Cumberland Valley Athletic Club.
• Coaching Success: After graduating from Shepherd College, Gary went into high school teaching and coaching, developing one of the nation’s top distance programs.
• Achievements: In the mid-1970's, his Handley High School Boys Cross Country Team was the number one ranked High School Cross Country Team in the United States.
• Tragic Loss: Sadly, Gary passed away from cancer in the winter of 1981-82, prior to his 35th birthday.

Event History

The C&O Canal Five Mile Run — which dates back to 1970 – was re-named in Gary’s honor in 1982. Gary’s high school runners would use the late-August-held C&O Canal Five Mile Run as an “End-of-Summer-Training Fitness Test.” His teenage boys would routinely take six-to-eight of the top-ten places — running against collegiate and post-collegiate standouts.

Mike Spinnler GBM 5-Mile Director 1996-2023
GBM 5-Mile Winner 1985

Included with Your Registration

• Event Quality: Well Organized and Professional Event
• Race Shirt: Race Technical T-Shirt (Must register by May 11th to guarantee shirt and/or size)
• Awards: Custom Awards for Podium Winners
• Entertainment: Music

Additional Benefits

• Timing: Bib Chip-Timed with Instant Results provided by Racine Timing
• Achievement: Satisfaction of Finishing a Race!

Parking for Race Participants

All participants will be required to park either in the Cushwa Basin parking lot, the lock house 44 parking lot, legal street parking on N Commerce St or W Salisbury St. We ask that, unless you arrive before 7:00 am, you not drive across the wooden bridge looking for a place to park on race morning.

Race Details

Date: June 12, 2027
Location: 124 W Salisbury St, Williamsport, MD
More info: Visit Here