Women Can Run the World!
Not only can women run the world, but they can superbly run the Women’s Distance Festival (WDF) too and have been doing so for the last 36 years.
A little history about the WDF. The Women’s Distance Festival was created by the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) because there was a lack of distance running events for women at the Olympic Games. Today, the Women’s Distance Festival celebrates women’s right to participate in all running events. In fact, today’s participation in distance running by women nearly mirrors that of men, and the Women’s Distance Festival continues to serve as a celebration of women runners across the country.
The Maryland RRCA sponsors the WDF in eight Maryland counties (including Frederick), naming it the Maryland Women’s Distance Festival Grand Prix Series. The WDF features a 5K (3.1 miles) race for women runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. If women complete the WDF races in four or more counties, they are eligible to receive the WDF Participation Award at the annual WDF Celebration.
This year (2025) is the 36th year for the Frederick WDF and is now considered to be one of FSRC’s signature races. In 1989 through the late 1990s, participation was minimal as women’s running hadn’t become as popular in Frederick County as it is today. Each year, there was a different race director and a different race location until it was decided by a group of women that since this race is for women then it should be directed by women.
In 2007, the women took the race over permanently. This was the time that the Frederick Women’s Distance Festival blossomed into the premier event that it is today. Peggy Waxter became race director and was able to secure Frederick Community College’s campus and gymnasium (Peggy’s employer). The racecourse was solely on the grounds of FCC, and consisted of one loop around FCC’s track (no longer there) and two loops around the campus.
Peggy along with her friends (thank you, Anne Light, Marti Kachman, Jenny Marino, Nancy Twigg, Leslie Nuse, Lisa Hickman, Karlys Kline, Joan McGrath, Luanne Houck, Kim Woolsey, Maria Ruebling, and others) directed the race. Everyone helped; you might say it was a well-oiled machine. The men even had a role – everything from lead biker, course marshals, parking coordinators, water stops, finish line, etc. was handled by men. As a thank you for their contributions each year, men received pink tee shirts with a charming adages on the shirt (e.g., she’s the boss; whatever she says; women run this race, etc.).
In order to welcome more women to the world of running/walking, Luanne Houck and other committee members started the WDF Training Program. In principle, it was a couch-to-5K program for women who wanted to start exercising or improving their running or walking abilities. Women of all ages and athletic ability or no athletics in their past, were welcome to participate in this free program. The end goal was to participate in the WDF 5K. This training program was an astounding success and continues to be successful to this day.
Proceeds from the WDF always went to various nonprofits that supported women and children. The Women’s Giving Circle checked all the right boxes, and in 2010, it became the sole charity designated by the WDF. The Women’s Giving Circle is especially important to the WDF because it promotes and supports programs that enable and empower women in challenging situations to improve the quality of their lives and the lives of those for whom they are responsible.
In 2014, Harriet Langlois took over as race director. Each year, participation grew and grew until finally, it was too dangerous to have more than 500 women running at different paces around the FCC campus. Harriet reached out to the County to see if the FSRC could have permission to extend the course into the neighboring community (Clover Hill). The County said yes; the racecourse was certified; and it remains the same today. In 2024, the Frederick WDF had 663 participants – an all-time record number of runners/walkers and wheelchair participants.
Harriet took the race to a new level by creating the Little Women 1K Fun Run for girls 13 and younger who may not be ready for the full 5K. Strollers are permitted in this event, and adult companions are welcome to accompany their little runners at no additional cost. Harriet continues to provide great swags, stunning tees, after-race snacks, great random prizes, and several years ago a photo booth was added. I’m sure 2025 will break last year’s record. We’ve been told by many that the Frederick WDF is the best in the State. The success of the WDF can not only be measured by the number of participants but also the contribution it makes to charity. In 2024, the WDF donated $23,718 in net proceeds to the Women’s Giving Circle. Since 2010, the total donation to the Women’s Giving Circle is $260,894.