August 17th Update: we are canceling the 2020 Larry Noel Races. Concerns about COVID-19 prompted us to evaluate whether we can put on a race that's safe for runners, volunteers and spectators. Cancelations of related events (Greenbelt Labor Day Festival, Maryland RRCA Grand Prix Series) have contributed to low registration numbers.

We regret having to cancel the race. We will notify all registrants and fully refund registration fees. We plan to be back next year; mark your calendars for Sunday, September 5th, 2021! Also, if you like our course, please consider the George Washington's Birthday Marathon and Relay on Sunday, February 14th. 

Stay healthy and race safe!

Ben Richter, Race Director and DCRRC President.

Sunday, September 6th, 2020. 15K at 5:00 p.m., 3K at 5:10 p.m.

A Maryland State RRCA Grand Prix Championship Series Race!

Through Greenbelt, MD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Center

Take part in a tradition this Labor Day Weekend! Some hills for the strong, some straight-aways for the swift make these courses both fun and a challenge.  The T-shaped 15K course runs through the USDA’s Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and offers sights and scents of the experiments being conducted there, plus four refreshment stops to keep you hydrated.  The 3K Fun Run, a family-friendly event, travels the scenic path around Greenbelt Lake in Buddy Attick Park.  The Race & Run celebrate the 66th Annual Greenbelt Labor Day Festival.  The Festival includes photo shows, art shows, The Miss Greenbelt Pageant, and the Midway Carnival, where you’ll find amusement rides, games, foods and snacks to help you cool off. The 2020 Greenbelt Labor Day Festival has been canceled, but we're planning to hold the race and fun run anyway.

Coronavirus note: we are planning to conduct the race on Labor Day Sunday but will, of course, comply with all Greenbelt, Prince George's County, and Maryland requirements to protect the safety of our runners. We may need to make changes to race plans to be in compliance. We will update all registered runners if we must deviate from prior years' race formats.

Time & Fees: 15K at 5:00 p.m.  $30 on or before 8/25, $35 after 8/20 or on race day.  3K at 5:10 p.m., $20 on or before 8/25, $25 after 8/25 or on race day. No refunds, transfers or deferrals.

Artistic, technical-fiber T-Shirt guaranteed to those who sign up on or before 8/25.

Awards: 15K race features gift certificate awards, $50 for first place, $35 for second place, $25 for third place and first Master (over 40), male & female. Both races will have 10-year age group awards: 1st, 2nd & 3rd.  Young Runner awards!  $10 cash or gift certificates for the first five runners, 13 years and younger, who finish the 3K Fun Run. Leadership awards may be mailed. Age group and Young Runner awards must be received in-person after the race.

Post-race refreshments after the race at the finish line (weather permitting) or in the Greenbelt Youth Center.

Packet Pickup and Late Registration in the Greenbelt Youth Center 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The 15K starting line is at 110 Northway opposite St. Hugh’s School Parking Lot (135 Crescent Road).  The 3K starting line is between the Youth Center and the tennis courts.

Special Notice: We hold this race as guests of the City of Greenbelt and USDA, which is conducting delicate experiments.  Many of the fields are treated with pesticides or other chemicals.  Any runner seen leaving the course and entering the fields or woods for an unauthorized “rest stop” will be disqualified.

Personal Audio (headphones, earbuds, etc.): The 15K Race course is over public roads, which we share with vehicle traffic.  To ensure runners' situational awareness and safety, headphones, earbuds, etc., are not permitted and may be grounds for disqualification.  The 3K Fun Run course is on a trail closed to vehicles, so personal audio is discouraged but allowed.

Help us run the race without, you know, actually running! The Larry Noël races are not possible without the help of volunteers – your time and energy are greatly appreciated, and we need lots of volunteers for this race.  To volunteer, please register here; for additional information, please contact the race director.

Directions: Take Beltway Exit 23, Kenilworth Ave (Rt 201) North for 0.2 miles.  Turn right on Crescent Road at light.  Go east on Crescent Road for 0.6 miles to the St. Hugh's School parking lot.  Additional parking is available a half mile farther down Crescent Road at the Greenbelt Cooperative Store and Recreation Center.  Via Metro: Take Metrorail Green Line to the end-of-the-line at Greenbelt Station.  There are scheduled arrivals at 15-minute intervals, e.g., 3:05, 3:20, 3:35, 3:50pm.  You can jog from the rail station to the Youth Center (see map here; it's a 2.35-mile route). MetroBus runs limited service on Sunday. The G14 bus departs the Greenbelt Metro Station 30 minutes after each hour; get off at the Crescent Road and Gardenway stop at 51 minutes after the hour. The G12 bus departs the Metro Station hourly 36 minutes after each hour. Get off either bus at the Crescent Road and Gardenway stop at 51 minutes after the hour. You can also use these buses to get to Metro after the race; board at the Crescent Road and Gardenway stop 12 minutes after the hour. Click here to download a copy of the G12 & G14 bus map.

Course Maps

• 15K course map
• 3K course map