2023 RUNNER INSTRUCTIONS
Thanks for registering for the 2023 Suds & Soles 5K!
We are super excited for Saturday’s race and we hope you are too! Below are a few details that might be helpful for you to know ahead of time. Please read through this email and be sure to like Suds & Soles on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with any late developments!
Packet Pick-Up
We’ll kick off the party on Friday, June 16th with packet pick-up at True Respite Brewing (7301 Calhoun Pl #600, Derwood, MD 20855). We’ll be there from 6:00pm to 8:15pm. Come pick up your bib and grab a beer! We will also hold packet pick-up on race evening starting at 6:00pm on the stage in Rockville Town Square. To save time and make packet pick-up run smoothly you can find your bib number ahead of time using the "Participant Tracking" link on our website.
Race Day Parking
Parking is available in Rockville Town Center garages as well as in the Rockville Metro parking lot. Remember, parking at Metro is no longer free on weekends. Of course, taking Metro to and from the race is also a great option.
Race Day Packet Pick-Up
Race day packet pickup will be held on the stage in Rockville Town Center beginning at 6:00pm and ending at 7:15pm. To save time and make packet pick-up run smoothly you can find your bib number ahead of time on RunSignUp.
Race Day Registration
Online registration will be open on race day, so bring a friend- but encourage them to register early. The prices goes up to $55 at noon!
What to Bring
Bring your basic race gear, your bib, and your ID and cash or credit card if you plan to purchase extra beer, a growler or something else from our vendors. We will have a bag check, but we do not recommend checking your ID or money.
Bag Check
Bag check will be open from 6:45pm –8:45pm at the corner of Maryland Avenue and Courthouse Square. Please bring your own bag and label it with your name and bib number.
Race Start
The race will start promptly at 7:30pm on N Washington Street with the intersection of Middle Lane.
On the Course
Please run safely, listen to the directions of course marshals and police, thank the volunteers and have fun! There will be a water stop approximately halfway through the race. Anyone not maintaining a pace under 20 minutes per mile may be asked to move to the sidewalk.
At the Finish
At the finish smile, cheer for yourself and everyone around you. Volunteers will be waiting for you with water and your first post race beer!
In the Festival
The post-race festival will offer runners Giuseppi’s Pizza, water and beer tastings for those of age!
Be sure to stop by Charm City Run Gaithersburg's booth in the finish festival to enter for a chance to win a pair of Brooks running shoes or one of two $200 gift cards! No need to be present to win.
Adult runners will have 5 beer tasting tickets on their bib. Simply turn them in for tastings from True Respite, Lone Oak Farm Brewing, Landmade Brewing, Babycat Brewery, World of Beer and Twin Valley Distillers. If you wish to have more of your favorite beer, please purchase pints from our beer sponsors!
** If your support crew would like to purchase a beer they are also welcome to do so, assuming they are of proper age. (IDs will be required at the discretion of our beer sponsors.) The festival will be open to serve your support crew beginning at 7:30pm.
Have a beer, have some food and listen to the band. If you’re up for more after the festival ends at 9:30pm, Rockville Town Center has some great restaurants to try!
Awards
The band will take a break around 8:45pm so that we can present awards. If you expect to place (open/masters are 3 deep, ten-year age groups are 2 deep) please check the results and stick around. All adult age group winners will be receiving a special treat from our friends at True Respite. Hint, hint - winners get beer and we will not be mailing beer awards, so stick around!!!!
KidZone
KidZone will provide our younger participants with some fun and entertainment of their own starting with a Fun Run at approximately 7:35pm. The Fun Run is just under half a mile long and will start and finish at the 5K start line.
The KidZone will open at 7:30pm. Registration for the KidZone is required and parents must supervise their children.
Lost Something?
Any lost items can be turned in to our bag check folks. Likewise, if you lose something, go check with them as they are our designated keepers of things. Lost children should be taken to the KidZone and likewise looked for there but please, let’s just not lose the kiddos!
After the Race!
Please be safe going home. If you think you might really, really enjoy beer in the festival, please designate a driver or consider Uber or Lyft.
Thank you for coming out to Suds & Soles. We couldn’t do this race without the great support of our volunteers, our sponsors and our race partners at the City of Rockville, Rockville Police, Rockville Volunteer Fire and Rescue, and the Rockville Recreation and Parks Foundation. If you are looking for your next race, MCRRC has a complete calendar of races, many of which are free to our members. Details on membership, training programs and races are available on our website.
