Narrow Way

Save

Feature

Claim

13 Canal Street, Cumberland MD

Saturday, November 7th, 2026

Race Overview

The Allegany County FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) has hosted the Narrow Way race annually since 2019 to generate scholarship funding to send more students to local and regional FCA camps. Students that attend these camps often have life changing experiences.

Race Options: 10K, 5K, and 1K fun run/walk.
Participants: Competitive runners, casual runners/walkers of all ages are welcome!

2025 Additions

NEW in 2025: Teams! Create and/or join a team for your school, workplace, or church. Team photos will be taken for the Allegany Website. A full year of bragging rights await!

Team Requirement: A minimum of 3 team members are required to finish the race to obtain a team result.
Result Basis: Team result will be based on the top 3 runners of each team.

Race Significance

The race's name (Narrow Way) has dual meaning. The race course follows the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) Trail through a steep sided valley west of Cumberland called 'The Narrows'. Narrow Way also references the path to eternal life, "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate..." (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).

Location Details

The start/finish will still be in front of the stage in the Canal Place Festival Grounds. Canal Place is a charming public space, speckled with small businesses and restaurants located at the intersection of two celebrated trails, the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP).

C&O Canal: Extends 184.5 miles to Washington DC, winding alongside the Potomac River.
Visitor Center: Located at Canal Place (National Park).
GAP Trail: Follows the former path of the Western Maryland Railroad to Pittsburgh, PA.
Surface: Most of the GAP is crushed stone, paved between Cumberland and the trestle bridge west of the Narrows (~2.5 miles).

Accessing Canal Place

From the East

Route 1: I68 to Exit 43B (MD51/Industrial Boulevard/Airport), parking on the left at the end of the exit ramp under I-68.
Route 2: I68 to Exit 43C (Downtown), turn left on W Harrison St to Canal Place, public parking available.

From the West

Route: I68 to Exit 43C (Downtown), turn left on Queen City Drive, then left on W Harrison St to Canal Place.
Parking: Public parking is on the right and overflow parking is available on the SW corner of Baltimore St & Mechanic St.

Lodging Options

There are many lodging options in Cumberland:

Fairfield Inn & Suites: 21 North Wineow Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 (301-722-0340).
Hampton Inn: 109 Welton Dr, Cumberland, MD 21502 (301-729-4028).
Holiday Inn Express & Suites: 1076 National Hwy, La Vale, MD 21502 (301-729-4800).
Comfort Inn & Suites: 1216 National Hwy, La Vale, MD 21502 (301-729-6400).
Best Western Braddock Inn: 1268 National Hwy, La Vale, MD 21502 (301-729-3300).