Frederick, MD [November 9, 2025] — The Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club celebrated 50 years of promoting running, friendship, and community engagement on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The anniversary event took place at the Wormans Mill Conservancy Clubhouse in Frederick, MD. The celebration drew more than 160 club members and their guests, and included a special appearance by Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor, who praised the positive impact the club has made to the Frederick community over the last five decades. “This club does so much more for our community than just run races, it’s built a community,” Mayor O’Connor said. “The Frederick Steeplechasers have brought people together and helped make Frederick a healthier, more connected, and a more compassionate city. Since 1975 the Frederick Steeplechasers have embodied what it means to be part of Frederick’s history, with the club’s extraordinary record of giving back to the community. It’s not just running, it’s running with purpose.”
From left to right: Michele Newton – President of the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club, Michael O’Connor – Frederick City Mayor, and Barbara Cosgrove – Vice President of the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club. Photo credit: Gary Geernaert.
Mayor O’Connor went on to say, “This is a club for every runner, whether you are a first-time 5k participant or someone who is trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Every runner can find encouragement, support and belonging, and that’s what community is all about, and that’s what the Steeplechasers represent.”
The Steeplechasers are a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, made up of 1,200 members of all running abilities.The club is run and driven by motivated volunteers who want to contribute and give back to the running community. The club does this by helping to plan and support running events, group runs, and training programs; coordinating and providing information about running events and training resources in the area; supporting local charities through donations of race proceeds; and helping runners of all types to run, learn, and grow.
Club President Michele Newton spoke glowingly about the club; “I am so honored to represent the Steeplechasers as Club President at this time, as we celebrate 50 years! Without the commitment of our current and past members, this milestone would not be possible. And through it all, everything we do is made possible by volunteers. We do this because of the friendships we’ve formed, our love of running, and because we love this community.”
Over the last 15 years, the Steeplechasers have raised over $680,000 in donations and counting. In 2024 alone, the club raised nearly $60,000 in race proceeds, all of which were donated to a variety of charities local to the area, including the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County, the Frederick Chapter of Blessings in a Backpack, and others.
Barb Cosgrove, Vice President of the Steeplechasers, also spoke at the event. “When digging through our history, I was able to see where we have come, from a handful of members with paper membership forms to the thrilling excitement when the club reached 200 members and now we have grown close to 1,200. The club was formed by runners just coming together for the love of running, to now providing training programs, club races, and giving back to the community by volunteering and giving proceeds from our signature races to local charities.” Looking to the future, the Steeplechasers plan to continue giving back to the Frederick and surrounding communities, and expand their own community of runners with a common purpose—to uplift, engage, and motivate others to achieve their goals.
About the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club
Founded in 1975, the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that promotes running for fitness, friendship, and athletic development. With members ranging from beginners to elite athletes, the club offers training programs, races, social events, and volunteer opportunities for the Frederick community and beyond. For more information about the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club, training programs, and upcoming races, visit www.steeplechasers.org.
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