MCRRC Run Under the Lights
When is MCRRC Run Under the Lights?
MCRRC Run Under the Lights takes place on Saturday, November 21, 2026 in Gaithersburg, MD.
What distances does MCRRC Run Under the Lights offer?
MCRRC Run Under the Lights offers 1 event: 5K Run/Walk.
| Event | Distance | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K Run/Walk | 3.1 mi | $43.00 | Register |
How much does MCRRC Run Under the Lights cost?
Registration for MCRRC Run Under the Lights starts at $43.00.
Where is MCRRC Run Under the Lights held?
MCRRC Run Under the Lights is held in Gaithersburg, MD at Seneca Creek State Park.
About MCRRC Run Under the Lights
The City of Gaithersburg, in partnership with the Montgomery County Road Runners Club, invites all runners and walkers to participate in a 5K Run/Walk in the magical setting of Gaithersburg’s Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park. Winter Lights features more than 380 illuminated vignettes and 65 animated displays. Runners and walkers will utilize the roads through the Park during the race. Roads will be closed to traffic except for Emergency Vehicles and vehicles required for race management. Race registration includes entry to the Park and parking is on-site and free of charge.
Due to the time of year, this event can experience inclement weather. It is also a sellout race and typicall sells out in a few days. Please refer to the "Waitlist, Transfers & Refunds" tab before committing to registration. A waitlist will be in effect once the race sells out - we are unable to admit particpants above the limit of our permit. Thank you for your understanding.
If you are unable to participate in the race, please consider volunteering instead.
Age-Based Discounts
Once again, the race will offer a $5 discount for participants who will be ages 15 & under on race day. There is no separate registration category - the discount will be given in your "shopping cart" based on the age of the participant.
Course Map
Packet Pickup
Friday Packet Pickup -- Activity Center at Bohrer Park 512 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Time: 4:00 -- 7:00 pm
Saturday Packet Pickup -- Race Site -- Seneca Creek Park
Time: 4:45 -- 5:45 pm
Strollers
As this is a family-friendly event, our littlest participants in strollers are more than welcome. Please note that children in strollers do not need to register; however, they will NOT be assigned a bib & they MUST REMAIN IN THEIR STROLLER for the duration of the race. ALL PARTICIPANTS WHO WILL NOT RIDE IN A STROLLER MUST REGISTER FOR THE 5K RACE!
For the safety and enjoyment of all of our participants, those wishing to walk the race or push a stroller must start in the very back. We appreciate your cooperation!
Waitlist, Transfers & Refunds
Waitlist & Refunds
This is a "sell-out" race and will have a waitlist. If you can no longer attend the race, a *refund may be requested by sending a message to office@mcrrc.org. If there is an active waitlist at the time of the request, the refund will be processed. If there is NOT an active waitlist at the time of the request, there will be no refund and you will be encouraged to instead consider a Participant Transfer (see below). REFUNDS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF A WAITLIST. The last day to request a refund is Wednesday, November 11 at 12:00 PM/ Noon. *Please note that in the event a refund is granted, the refund will not include online processing fees paid during registration. MCRRC is not able to reverse transaction fees paid to the platform.
Transfers
Participants are welcome to find someone else to take your place. In order to transfer your bib to a new participant, please contact office@mcrrc.org with the following information: Your full name (as it appears in registration), the full name of the person you are transferring to, and the email address of the person you are transferring to. Please note the race team does NOT handle the financial aspects of the transfer. That is for you to work out personally, with the participant taking your place. The last day to request a transfer is Wednesday, November 11 at 12:00 PM/ Noon.
Please do not allow someone else to run using your bib, or accept another person's bib for yourself, without going through the transfer process. Should the runner require medical attention, we will be unable to identify them or their emergency contacts. Please do not put our race staff in this position -- we thank you for your attention.
Race Cancellation
Due to the time of year, Run Under the Lights can experience some harsh and unpredictable weather. Should the field be too wet to use, the race may be cancelled & refunds will be processed. Please note that heavy, soaking rain in the days PRIOR to race day, can sometimes be enough to determine the field unusable. This decision will be made as expeditiously as possible, by Seneca Creek State Park officials as well as City of Gaithersburg event staff; however, as you know, such decisions may also be made at the last minute. Please refer to the sections above if you are no longer able to participate for personal reasons.
Purchased Shirts
In the event of race cancellation, participant refund, or participant transfer, REFUNDS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR SHIRT ORDERS. If you no longer plan to participate in the race, you will be provided with instructions to pickup the shirt that you purchased. We are unable to change the size ordered or cancel pre-purchased race shirts.