'Miles That Matter' Brings Pikesville Community Together July 10

On July 10, runners, walkers and residents who care about the future of their community will gather again for the Miles that Matter Pikesville 5K Run/Walk.

The race "is a happening,” said Eddie Steinberg, a race coordinator and member of the Pikesville Chamber of Commerce. “You get to see friends, receive great door prizes for just showing up, and there is a terrific breakfast after the sponsored by the local merchants in the area. They contribute greatly to this event.”

For those who do not want to do the full 5K, there's a 1-mile fun run, which is perfect for families with young children in strollers. “You don’t have to be a runner to participate—you can walk it," Steinberg said. “It really is a family event for all ages.”

Activities include a moon bounce and balloon twisting for children, massages from , local vendors selling products and services, a raffle for a teddy bear from the , and a zumba warm-up led by .

There's a breakfast for participants, and prizes for the winners. It's an event members of the chamber hope the community supports.

This is the sixth year for the race, and it's gaining popularity with runners, said Sherrie Becker, executive director of the

“The race has grown from 250 participants in its first year to almost 800 last year,” she said. “This year, we are hoping to get 1,000 runners, so we are asking everyone who plans on coming out to bring a friend. If people do that we should hit our mark.”

Proceeds from the event benefit the Pikesville Chamber of Commerce and the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. Becker said that during the five years the race has been held, it has earned $100,000 for the center.

The event begins with an 8 a.m. shotgun start at Woodholme Center, the office building at 1829 Reisterstown Road next to in Pikesville. But registration begins earlier, at 6:30 a.m.

The race course loops up and back on Greene Tree Road.

Event coordinators include Steinberg, Mark Sapperstein, Karen Levin, Bobby Levin, John Oakley, Pick, Mark Dees, Michael Greenbaum, Jon Sevel, Nichole Barbuzanes and Kelly Dean. 

Steinberg, who is a former chamber president, said past participants have ranged in age from 12 to 80 years old.

Becker said it's important for Pikesville area residents to come out and participate, because the work of the two benefiting organizations affects so many lives.

“The cancer center is a pioneer and leader in cancer research and treatment and the chamber works every day on behalf of the community to make it vibrant and growing," she said. "Events like this one are the way we fund our budget.”

The first 800 entrants in the run/walk will each receive a free T-shirt and several other prizes will be awarded to participants. These include gift certificates to local stores and restaurants and a watch from .

Pikesville businesses will provide participants with a full breakfast after the race, Becker said. Breakfast will include:

• Eggs from The Classic Catering People
• Bagels from
• Fruit from
• Pastries from
• Coffee from
• Potatoes from
• Bars from

Miles that Matter’s organizers are looking for 60 volunteers for the race. To volunteer, call the chamber at 410-484-2337.

Participants can register for the race at www.pikesville5k.com. Free parking is available for participants at the Festival at Woodholme shopping center nearby.

Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place runners, including:

• $100 for the first-place winner
• $100 gift certificate to and Linwoods Restaurant and Catering in Owings Mills for the second-place winner
• $50 for the third-place winner

The event’s main sponsor is Commercial Residential Settlement Services, LLC.

Sponsors include Fleet Feet Sports Baltimore, Chesapeake Contracting Group, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, , Frankel Automotive Group, American Radiology Services, , Sugar Associates, and .