The Antietam Battlefield is sometimes used for other events and is a great place for a running road race. There is a big 10k that will be held there next weekend – a long-term event that has featured some of the world’s best runners at certain times of its history. It is an infamously difficult course – illustrative of the rough terrain and hills especially on the south end of the field.
Today there was a local 5-k race that was a benefit for water projects in 3rd world countries. The youngest of my sons has participated each of the three years it has been held, and he finished in 6th place today.
This race only uses the northern part of the battlefield – following a “figure 8” pattern of the roads surrounding the cornfield and touring throughout the west, north, and east woods. He and the others are able to testify that even this allegedly “flat” portion of Antietam is not truly that! The running course today followed the park road that ascends the slope from the Hagerstown Turnpike to the plateau of the Poffenberger Farm. It is more than a little wee incline when placed in the middle of a footrace!
Here are some pictures from today’s event (which included a kids race around the NY State Monument:
Randy Buchman
Enfilading Lines 