FUNDRAISING RACE: Join us on March 1st for a unique fundraising race to support local businesses in Highlandtown and raise funds for a Baltimore running team to participate in The Speed Project (TSP), an epic 300-mile race! 

SUPPORT A BALTIMORE RUNNER: We are currently raising funds to help Lupe Bobadilla (see the smiling fellow on the right with the moustache) and his crew participate in a race between LA and Las Vegas. If you want to help them already, you can donate here. You can also follow Lupe’s progress on Instagram here.

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES: We also want to show support to Highlandtown, a neighborhood that ICE's raids have targeted. The race will bring foot traffic to local businesses.

SUPPORT A LOCAL NON-PROFIT: Raise funds for the Southeast Community Development Corporation (SECDC), which advocates for local businesses in Highlandtown.

WIN-WIN-WIN: Raising funds for runners, bringing visibility and foot traffic to local businesses, and providing funds to an organization that helps and promotes this neighborhood.

The registration fee is $10 (suggested donation): $5 for Lupe and his crew and $5 for to the SCDC that supports local businesses in Highlandtown.

NOTE: The event was initially planned for February 22nd, but due to weather conditions was moved to March 1st.

This isn’t your typical race—it’s a community-focused "challenge by choice" where you can run or walk at your own pace while supporting the local businesses that make Highlandtown special.

This is an unsanctioned, community-led, honor-based event. 

You will score points by doing the following:

• 1. RUN: Run as many laps as you can within the 4-hour window. Here is the itinerary.

  2. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES: You must stop and consume a product at a minimum of one local business per loop. Keep your receipts! They serve as proof of your completed laps. 

If you cannot buy a product, we encourage you to leave a tip in the tips jar.

Here is a list of businesses where you can stop along the way. You can also see them on Google Maps.

This list is a suggestion; you can stop at any business in Highlandtown / Patterson Park.

• 3. CHECK: For each loop, you will have to pass by/stop at Ovenbird Bakery to notify the organizers that you have completed a loop.

  4. SCORE MORE POINTS:

• Winning a segment on Strava. Additional information below. 

• Leaving a review on Google Maps for the businesses you visited.

• Posting on Instagram about the business, using #LBL and tagging @atcr_tsp26 and @highlandtownmainstreet in your posts.

• Post on Instagram selfies taken in front of one of the many murals in Highlandtown. 

The point system is explained below.

We are looking for more than just the fastest runners! Points are awarded for:

• DISTANCE: Number of loops completed. 1 point for the first loop, 2 points for the second one, so on and so forth.

• SPEED: Ranking on "Lupe Strava Segments": The three fastest runners on Lupe's Strava segments will score 5, 3, and 1 points, respectively. We have three segments: 

  • LBL #1

  • LBL #2

  • LBL #3

• COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Number of businesses visited, items consumed, and tips left for staff (We can encourage you to leave cash in the tips jar). 1 point per action.

• SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT: Posting photos and reviews on Google Maps and Instagram, using #LBL and tagging @atcr_tsp26 and @highlandtownmainstreet. 1 point per post.

• CREATIVITY: If you can't patronize a business, take a selfie with one of Highlandtown’s famous murals. 1 point per picture. Here is a map of the murals.

Categories include: 

• Highest number of loops,

• Most businesses visited,

• Best picture,

• Best overall.

What will you earn? Eternal fame in the Baltimore running community, appreciation from local business owners, and maybe, maybe, some really cool prizes!