The 2024 Gettysburg Festival of Races was held on Sunday April 28.
With the start and finish both at the Aspire Hotel, runners began at 8:00 a.m. on their trek through the hallowed ground of Gettysburg battlefield, backcountry roads, fields, farms, and across the Mason-Dixon line into Maryland.
The 13.1 mile and 26.2 mile racers were given 6 hours to complete the hilly, scenic course. The festival also offered an opportunity for 5K runners to tackle a portion of it as well, beginning at 8:15 a.m.
When racers completed the race, they were given a commemorative medal with Gettysburg cannons displayed on the front and a quote from Abraham Lincoln on the back. They were also given a free pint glass and beer, as well as snacks and sandwiches to help with their recovery.
The annual event is sponsored by 2L Race Services, Kegel’s Produce, The American Battlefield Trust, Appalachian Brewing Company, Destination Gettysburg, and other organizations.
The race has been held since 2011, offering runners an opportunity to immerse themselves in the history of Gettysburg while staying active.
The event is a combination of three races in just one weekend, allowing runners of different abilities to participate and viewers to show support for all types of runners.
Many houses along the route have supporters out on their porches, with others passing out ice pops and water along the way.
The event creates a sense of community for both Gettysburg residents and visitors alike.
Stefany Kaminski, intern, is a Senior at Gettysburg College from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is a History and English major with a Writing Concentration and a Civil War Era Studies and Classics minor. Outside of academics, she is a member of two historical journals at the college, on the cheerleading team, and a former executive member of Alpha Delta Pi.