B&A Trail Marathon Attracts Runners Far and Wide

When the B&A Trail Marathon was run for the first time 20 years ago, it was a small town race meant to attract local runners and Annapolis Striders members.  Over time and thanks to the inclusion of a half marathon distance the race has grown from just a couple of handfuls of participants to a thousand. 

Registration for the race closes earlier and earlier every year.  This year it closed in January, leaving many runners scrambling to find another spring marathon. 

Despite the forecast for a very wet morning, over 800 runners chose to make the trek the starting line this past Sunday morning.  The race began with a live performance of the National Anthem, a few words from race director Donna Cogle and the theme song from "Rocky."

Because I was among the participants for the half marathon this year I can let readers in on a little secret.  Though we looked like a group of tough and dedicated runners running along the trail in the rain, the truth is most of us thought the conditions could not have been better for the race. 

Local runner, Tom Bateman, admitted that there were times in the race when he wished it had rained a little harder so he could maintain the low temperatures and not worry about overheating on the unseasonably warm morning.

I noticed two big changes this year as opposed to the first time I ran this race over ten years ago.  First, the volunteers were incredible.  While this has always been a well organized race, I was pleased to see the dozens of teenagers working along the course, at the finish line and in the cafeteria afterwards. 

The majority of the teenage volunteers came from Severna Park High School but there were also groups from Severn School and South River High School. Their youth and enthusiasm was most evident as runners made their way back up Robinson Road heading into the finish. 

Second, what started as a race for local athletes, has grown to include runners from all over the United States.  Not just individuals but entire clubs from other states attended this year’s race. 

Runners came from at least eight different states, including California and Minnesota and included at least four different clubs and teams including the Korean Running Club, The Fast Tracks Running Group, bringing with it Keith Straw, an ultrarunner known for breaking course records while wearing a pink tutu, and the USNA Marathon Team and the USNA Marathon Club.  

*Editor's Note: This article has been revised to reflect the 20th anniversary of the marathon. Also, in the first photo, #527 is Rob Baker.