The Allegany County FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) has hosted the Narrow Way race annually since 2019 to generate scholarship funding to send more students to local and regional FCA camps. Students that attend these camps often have life changing experiences. The race include 10K, 5K, and 1K fun run/ walk options. We are looking for competitive runners as well as casual runners/walkers for our 1K. All ages are welcome and encouraged!
The race’s name (Narrow Way) has dual meaning. The race course follows the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) Trail through a steep sided valley west of Cumberland called ‘The Narrows’. Narrow Way also references the path to eternal life, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).
The start/finish will still be in front of the stage in the Canal Place Festival Grounds. Canal Place is a charming public space, speckled with small businesses and restaurants located at the intersection of two celebrated trails, the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). The C&O canal towpath extends 184.5 miles to Washington DC, winding alongside the Potomac River for much of its length. The Visitor Center for the C&O Canal National Park is also located at Canal Place (https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm). The GAP Trail follows the former path of the Western Maryland Railroad and a branch of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad 148 miles to Pittsburgh, PA. The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (https://wmsr.com/) still shares the GAP corridor between Cumberland and Frostburg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaOAiQ-WRd0). Most of the GAP is crushed stone. However, the GAP is paved between Cumberland and the trestle bridge west of the Narrows (~2.5 miles).
Saturday Schedule:
7:30am – 8:00am: Late Race Registrations/ Kids under-11 1K (Fun Run) free registrations
7:30am – 8:15am: Runner Packet Pickup
8:30am: Race starts by group in order of event; 10K, 5K, 1K
10:00am: Estimated race finish by all events
Awards Ceremony Immediately following the event for 5K & 10K
Awards:
Top Overall male and female runners for both the 5k & 10K will receive new running shoes from Personal Best.
Top Age Level male and female runners for both the 5K & 10K will receive a medal (Top overall runners ineligible for this award) Age levels will be under 11 & under, 12-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over.
