Rick O'Donnell Memorial 5 Mile Trail Run and Ultra Challenge

Welcome to the 13th annual Rick's Run! 

We are VERY excited to welcome you to join us in celebrating the 13th running of the Rick O'Donnell 5 Mile Trail Run and Ultra Challenge. After 13 years, we're having just as much fun as we did in 2013, while still honoring the memory of some very special members of the running community.

 

The Rick O'Donnell 5 Mile Trail Run and Ultra-Challenge was started in 2013 in memory of Rick O'Donnell, Steeplechaser member, friend, devoted husband and father who lost his battle with Bile Duct cancer in the spring of 2013.  

In 2015, we lost Larry Key, another friend and beloved Steeplechaser.  Larry died of a heart attack while out on a run.  

​In 2021, John Godinet, a true character in the running community, succumbed to ALS.

Rick, Larry, and John embodied the true spirit of what it means to be a runner and a friend, and we honor their memory as well as the memory of all of the beloved Steeplechasers who have embodied the outstanding character we hold dear as a running club.

In 2016, the FSRC Memorial Scholarship Fund was initiated, dedicated to the memory of Rick O'Donnell. Net proceeds from the annual Rick's Run are used to fund the scholarship, awarded to Frederick-area high school seniors who, like Rick, Larry, and John, have made a difference in the running community.

Since 2016, the Frederick Steeplechasers have awarded scholarships to 49 local students, totaling $75,500. For the full history of scholarship recipients and more information about the scholarship program, see the FSRC Memorial Scholarship Page on the Steeplechasers' website.

​Click here for the article published in the Frederick News Post on August 12, 2016.

 

 

Without our generous sponsors, we would not be able to bring Rick's Run to life, while also raising significant funds for the Frederick Steeplechasers Memorial Scholarship.

 

Since 2016, the Frederick Steeplechasers have awarded scholarships to 49 local students, totaling $75,500. None of that would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.

 

 

 

Join us in empowering local high school seniors to pursue their dreams! Become a race sponsor and help us keep the Frederick Steeplechasers Memorial Scholarship alive and thriving - click through to the link below.

 

SIGN ON AS A 2026 SPONSOR

Schedule on Sunday, October 11

7:00-8:15am: Bib Pickup

8:30am: Start of all Events

12:30pm: 4-Hour Challenge Cutoff

4:30pm: 8-Hour Challenge Cutoff

Note: Online registration will be open through race day. If you plan to register on race day, you must register online from home or from your own device at the race venue. In-person payments cannot be accepted.

 

5 Mile Trail Run

The 5 Mile Trail Run is a single loop of the course.  Awards in the spirit of the run will be given to the first, second, and third place overall male and female finishers. 

For Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club members, this event and the first loop of the Challenge events are scored in the FSRC Grand Prix series.  If you're not a Steeplechaser, we invite you to join up and start having fun with us! 

 

4-Hour and 8-Hour Challenge Events

The Challenges are for those who wish to run more than one loop.  Within the allotted 4 or 8 hours, run as many 5-mile loops as you'd like, as slow or as fast as you wish. Run 6 laps (or more!) to log an ultra-distance finish. The top three male and female runners logging the most mileage (quickest time tie-breaker) in each event will receive awards. The cut-off times are hard limits and the last loop must be started at least one hour before the cutoff unless the previous loop was completed in under one hour. No exceptions and no whining about this; Rick wouldn't complain or try to bend the rules and you shouldn't either!
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Runners competing in the Rick's Run Challenges will have their results forwarded to Ultrasignup.com for inclusion.  

 

Aid Stations

The single-loop and ultra challenge events will have separate aid stations. 

• Single-loop runners will be directed to their own finish line station.

• There will be plenty of room to set up your own aid station close to the course.

•  There will likely be a food truck for volunteers and other non-participants

NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED ON THE PREMISES. 

 

Premium

Race premium to be determined for 2026, but it will be different than a shirt!

Race Policies

• No outside alcohol
• No refunds or deferrals, but RunSignUp is offering race insurance this year
• For your safety and the safety of those around you, headphones are discouraged.
• ​Dogs are not allowed on the course
• No Bib transfers and No Refunds (See the FSRC Policy)  
• FSRC has adopted the guidelines outlined by USATF regarding Transgender and Transsexual Athletes. (See the FSRC policy)

Race Course

The hilly course is a five-mile loop of farm lanes, grassy trails cut through hay fields, and some wooded trails. The coolest part is that each year it changes just a bit due to the need for crop rotations! What will we throw at you this year? 

Check out the drone footage of 2023's course - it gives you an idea of the type of terrain we will be exploring!

5 Mile Trail Run: TBD

4-Hour Challenge: TBD

8-Hour Ultra Challenge: TBD