Run On The Rocks 10 Miler, Half Marathon & 20 Miler

Join us at the 2026 Team AIMS Run On The Rocks! Whether you're up for a delightful 10 Miler, a hilarious half marathon, or an epic 20 Miler, our beautiful, lightning-fast, pancake flat course awaits. Get ready for a running adventure that'll have you sweating, smiling, and feeling like a champion on a mission! See you at the starting line. 

Race Details

• This race is a chip-timed race.
• All participants receive a race premium t-shirt. Late registrations  after September 7th “may” receive t-shirts, if available, and sizes are not guaranteed.  There is a "no shirt" option for those who don't want a shirt.
• Finisher medals -  Check out the Medal pictures below!!!
• Awards
  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Risers category awards for each gender in each event  (Ages 54 & below)
    
  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Masters category awards for each gender in each event (Ages 55 & above)
  • Awards will be given by Age group and won't be combined irrespective of who comes ahead over-all
• Event Transfers - The deadline to switch events is September 10, 2025. After this, email RD@runontherocks.org. We'll try as much as we can.
• Wearing headphones during the race is not recommended as the Towpath is open for public and cyclists. If you still choose to wear one, make sure you are able to hear the baby bear chasing towards you. 
• There is no Race Day Registration.

Race Day - Saturday, September 26th, 2026

Team AIMS Run On The Rocks is one of the upcoming racing events, attracting over 400 participants, more than 200 volunteers, and hundreds of enthusiastic spectators. Held in Point of Rocks, MD, the beautiful setting along the C&O Canal, this race offers stunning scenery and a unique experience for all runners. The upcoming race promises picturesque views, serene waterways, and lush landscapes, making it an unforgettable event for participants and spectators alike.

Organized by Team AIMS, a registered non-profit charity dedicated to advocating, inspiring, motivating, and serving (AIMS) underdeveloped communities and emergencies, this race not only ensures a memorable experience for runners but also supports various local charities. Part of the proceeds from the event are donated to local fire departments, the C&O Canal Trust, and other community initiatives, reflecting our commitment to giving back and making a positive impact.

Your business can reach this vibrant community of participants, their families, and friends by joining us as a sponsor of Team AIMS Run On The Rocks. As a sponsor, you’ll be part of a cause that takes great care of its runners and contributes to the well-being of the local community.

To secure your sponsorship, please contact us at marathon@teamaims.org. Feel free to contact the same email with any questions you may have.

We look forward to your sponsorship and to making this event a great success together!!!

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

At Team AIMS and Run On The Rocks, we believe in supporting our local community in every way we can. From ordering delicious food from local restaurants to sourcing pies from nearby farm markets and partnering with local t-shirt vendors and medal companies, we prioritize local businesses in all aspects of our race. Additionally, we proudly contribute to the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department, the Carroll Manor Fire Company, and the C&O Canal Trust, ensuring that our event not only brings runners together but also gives back to the community that supports us.

Got a knack for high-fives and handing out water like a pro? Be our race day superstar! Join our volunteer squad, where we take hydration and cheering super seriously (and laughter, too). Your energy, dedication, and enthusiasm can help shape an unforgettable event that goes beyond the finish line. Whether you're cheering on runners, distributing water, or managing logistics, your presence can create a positive ripple effect.

This race doesn't happen without volunteers like you. We welcome volunteers of all ages. No prior experience required. Check out different slots and tasks that are open and sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D44A8AE2CA64-team?useFullSite=true#/

Student SSL Hours: For middle and high school parents, this is a great opportunity for your kids to earn SSL hours.

Start / Finish:

All the races start and finish at the Point of Rocks Boat Ramp area and follow the same direction. The entire course is an out & back on the C&O Canal Towpath following the Potomac River. There will be three different turn around points, one for each distance. The course is a wide semi-paved/gravel towpath, flat and mostly covered by trees. 

Course Map - https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5154104623 

Turn Around Check-Ins:

All runners MUST know your turn around point and check-in with the volunteer before turning around. Make sure that the volunteer heard your number. It doesn’t matter what your watch or phone says about the distance. You have to get to the turn around and check-in. If your number isn’t there on the list, that means you haven’t ran the distance so we can’t consider you as an official finisher.

• 10 Milers: Turn around at Mile 5 marker
• Half Marathoners: Turn around at Mile 6.55 marker
• 20 Milers: Turn around at Mile 10 marker.

There are three aid stations along the course. Depending on the distance you run, you will get to either one, two or all three of them.

1. Noland’s Aid Station
   • All runners will get to this Aid station twice.
   • Approximately 3.75 miles on the way out on course at the Noland's Ferry Parking Lot
   • Location URL: https://goo.gl/maps/4Z9zokkbF8Rbm6L88
2. Monocacy Aid Station
   • Half Marathoners and 20 Milers will get to this Aid Station twice. 
   • Approximately 6.25 miles on the way out on course at the Monacacy Aqueduct area. The Aid Station will be on the left side after the stone bridge, on the way out.
   • Location URL: https://goo.gl/maps/WNqrvo2ujAA9B4aJ6
3. Dickerson Aid Station
   • Only 20 Milers will get to this Aid Station.
   • Approximately 8.35 miles on the way out.
   • Location URL: https://goo.gl/maps/2DVVsoSgSM2vH1n49

• Packet Pickup
  • From 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM on Race Day
  • Location: Base Camp Shelter at Point of Rocks Community Commons Park
• Pre-race Instructions
  • At 7:45AM on Race Day
  • Location: Starting line at Point of Rocks Boat Ramp
• Race Start
  • 8:00AM for all distances
• Starting line closure
  • Closes at 8:30 AM. We can't time your run after that.
• Cut Offs
  • 20 Miler - 5 Hours from the start
  • 10 Miler and Half Marathon - Technically the course is open for 5 hours. There is plenty of time for 10 milers and half marathoners to finish.

Base Camp

All pre and post race gatherings, packet-pickup, food and festivities are at the Point of Rocks Community Commons Reserved Shelter next to the Train station parking. Both the parking and base camp is on the other side of the rail road. Runners can leave all their bags and stuffs at the base camp before proceeding to the starting line.  At the start/finish area, we do not have monitoring service for drop bags.

Parking

• Race day parking for runners and families is at Point of Rocks Train Station adjacent to the Community Commons Shelter which is also our Race Base Camp.
• Do not go to Boat Ramp parking if you are participating in the race or coming to cheer your family. Parking at the boat ramp is for volunteers and supply vehicles only.
• Location: Point of Rocks Train Station, Point of Rocks, MD.  Map URL - https://goo.gl/maps/ybi7r9h3iwGAB2bx5
• Area Map
  • Red - Parking
  • Yellow - Base Camp
  • Green - Start and Finish Lines

We are pleased to offer participants the option to purchase Registration Protection Insurance through our partner, Protecht’s FanShield-RegShield, during registration. This optional insurance provides coverage for your race entry, allowing you to file a claim directly with Protecht for a refund if you need to cancel for a covered reason. Please note that our race does not offer refunds towards cancellations at any time, as it is a low-cost event and most expenses are already committed to vendors by race day. All interactions regarding insurance, including claims and refunds, are handled exclusively by Protecht. For more information about the coverage, refer to this document provided by Protecht RaceShield.

The race courses are not USATF Certified yet.