Long Distance Running

Long Distance Running

Season:  Late August to Mid-October

Email: ldr@somdmontgomery.org

Overview: Included in each session will be instruction on stretching and running techniques so all athletes are prepared for the Long-Distance Running season and competition in local, regional, and state road races.

CoachesBob Stack – Head Coach
Susan Fitzgerald – Team Manager
Season Dates & TimesPractices: Sundays 11 am to 12 pm, Starting August 27, 2023
Friday evening 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm starting September 9, 2023

Qualifiers: TBD closer to season’s start

State Games: Fall Fest, 10/21/2023 at Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD
Medical & Volunteer
Expiration Date
Sport’s State Games competition date

The expiration date on an athlete’s Medical form, or a Volunteer’s certification, must be after the above date to participate in the upcoming season.

Check athlete status here.
Check volunteer status here.

Special Olympics Resources for Long Distance Running

Equipment: Athlete needs to provide their own running shoes

Uniform Requirements:  SOMO will provide uniforms for competition

Practice Overview:

Location: Lake Needwood Park (15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville, MD 20855)

Timing:  Practice is every Friday evening 5:00 to 6:00 pm and Sunday morning 11:00 am to 12:00 pm until Fall Fest in October.  

Safety Considerations: During practices, athletes often run out of view of our coaches. We encourage parents to become Unified Partners to run with their athletes and to help with chaperoning during practice. For safety reasons some athletes might be required to have a Unified Partner.

Competition Distances: There are races from 800m (about 1/2 mile), 1500m, 3000m, and a 5K (a little more than 3 miles), so there is something for everyone!

All athletes are welcome to attend practices even if they do not compete in Long Distance Running at Fall Fest. 

Qualifiers:  

  • Howard County Qualifier Mid-September
  • Washington County Qualifier late-September
  • SOMO Inspiration Run and Qualifier-End of September Canceled for 2021
  • 5K runners will also have the opportunity to race in the Baltimore Tunnel Run

State Competition: Fall Fest at Mount St. Mary’s Mid-October

Eligibility for State Competition:  Athletes must attend practice regularly and compete in at least 2 Qualifiers to go to Fall Fest.  Athletes may participate in more than 2 qualifiers. Athletes who do not want to go to Fall Fest may still compete in the other qualifiers.

Participation in Other SOMO Sports: LDR runners can participate in other SOMO sports so long as the athlete can maintain full practice and competition participation in all of their sports. 

This is an organizational decision on allowing multi-sport athletes.