Run Like Michael

Join us on October 11, 2026 for the inaugural Run Like Michael 5K, hosted by the Michael Long Memorial Fund, Inc., as we come together to honor and celebrate the life of Michael Patrick Long.

Set on the trails of Bretton Woods, this event features a 5K trail run and a 1-mile walk, welcoming runners, walkers, families, friends, and community members of all ages and abilities. Whether you’re racing the trails, enjoying a walk in nature, or cheering from the sidelines, your participation helps make a meaningful impact.

Run Like Michael is more than a race.  It’s a community coming together to raise funds and awareness for addiction prevention, education, and support. Through compassionate giving and community partnership, our mission is to combat addiction and support organizations that provide prevention services, treatment and recovery resources, and guidance for families and loved ones affected by substance use disorders.

Whether you join us as a runner, walker, sponsor, donor or all of the above, your involvement helps reduce stigma, strengthen hope, and give support and healing to individuals and communities affected by the disease of addiction.

We hope you’ll join as we run, walk, and remember Michael together.

Packet Pickup

  -  Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, 6pm-8pm, Bretton Woods Recreation Center, International Pavilion, 15700 River Rd, Darnestown, MD 20874

Race Day

  -  Registration opens at 7:30am

  -  5k Run / 1 Mile Walk starts at 9:00am

Runners/Walkers Amenities

Runners/walkers will receive the following:

  -  T-shirts (not guaranteed if registered after Sep. 27, 2026)

  -  Post race pizza from Mamma Lucia, snacks and refreshments.

Want to Donate or Sponsor the Race?

Donors - We are grateful for donations of any amount! To donate, click the donate button above, or at the end of the race registration process.

Sponsors - Thank you to our generous sponsors who help underwrite the race. To become a sponsor, click the donate button above and donate at one of the following levels:

     - $1,000 Gold Sponsor: premier placement of logo on race day banner, website, and T-shirts; 4 complimentary race entries.
     - $750 Silver Sponsor: featured logo on race day banner, website, and T-shirts; 2 complimentary race entries.
     - $500 Bronze Sponsor: logo on race day banner, website, and T-shirts; 1 complimentary race entry.

Follow us on Instagram @runlikemichael5k

The Run Like Michael 5k is hosted by the Michael Long Memorial Fund, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.  All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.  Our bylaws and governing documents are available upon request.

Michael was endlessly creative, deeply funny, and full of ideas. He loved movies from a young age and had a natural talent for turning everyday moments into something memorable. Family holidays, beach trips, and random afternoons often became movie sets, with Michael writing, directing and creating roles for everyone. His creativity wasn’t just about making films, it was about bringing people together.

He had a rare ability to make life feel lighter. He could turn the most ordinary situations into inside jokes and shared memories, and there was never a dull moment when he was around. He made people laugh, feel included, and feel important just by being himself.

Michael also fought a long and difficult battle with addiction and mental health challenges. It was something he struggled against fiercely and never wanted for himself. While this was part of his story, it does not define who he was. Michael was so much more than his struggles. He was loved deeply, supported endlessly, and he cared profoundly for the people in his life.

He loved being active. He ran cross country and found real peace in running and hiking throughout his life. Being outdoors, moving his body, and pushing himself physically were important outlets for him, especially during times when he was struggling with his mental health.

Michael touched more lives than he probably ever realized. His humor, imagination, and heart live on through the stories people still tell, the laughter he sparked, and the memories he created with so many.