Join us for the 2021 Spook Hill Cider & Wine Run!
Saturday, October 16, historic Burkittsville, Maryland
The Spook Hill Cider & Wine 4 Mile Run's rolling, loop course stays primarily within the confines of the historic town of Burkittsville, MD. You will run up the gentle incline of legendary Spook Hill before turning off of the asphalt for a loop through the Boordy Winery Vineyard on the west end of town. While running through the vineyard, you'll be treated to splendid views of South Mountain, painted with its first hint fall color. Running through the Historic Union Cemetery and farmland owned by South Mountain Creamery in the center of town, participants are treated to sweeping views of the surrounding bucolic countryside. A loop through the Distillery Lane Ciderworks orchard on the east end of town brings you to the home stretch.
This is a fall race not to be missed as the scenery is second to none!
With in-person events still not a given, even for the fall, and with permitted events being subject to revocation of permits by municipal authorities if coronavirus pandemic metrics warrant, we will be offering registration for virtual and in-person runs. You will be able to change your registration between these options (space permitting) at no cost or initiate a partial refund via your RunSignup profile up until 9/16/2021. After 10/1, if we are forced to cancel the in-person event, all registrants will be transitioned to the virtual event. *See COVID updates below.
Post-run, hit the Spook Hill Wine Tasting Trail: Our generous participating wineries are all in for 2021. Your race bib (virtual and in-person) will have ticket stubs that can be redeemed at each participating winery. Coupon specials are good from race day through November and are subject to change. Must be 21 or older to redeem (except at the Little Red Barn).
DLC - Located across the street from our race hq: $5 off of your $25+ purchase. Open after Spook Hill.
Buy your DLC tasting passport in advance and save over the cost of purchasing at the door. Your tasting passport is your golden ticket to taste ten farm-to-glass, DLC hard ciders. From sparkling, to still and oak aged, you'll sample the best of our specialty ciders in your own DLC souvenir cider glass. You'll also enjoy a day full of activities and fun demonstrations.
Antietam Creek Vineyards - Two tastings (or flights) for the price of one. (Opens at noon.)
Orchid Cellar - Half-off a tasting flight. (Opens at 11:00)
Willow Oaks - Buy one, get one on flight of four. (Opens at 10:00)
Boordy Vineyards - Boordy will be in Burkittsville again this year! They will be featuring wines made with grapes grown in their South Mountain vineyard (Albarino, Rose, South Mountain Red and Ruby Port). A 4-pack (one of each) will cost $75 or 10% off of any 4 or more bottles purchased.
Little Red Barn Ice Cream Cafe - Free "kids sized" cone or cup for showing your bib on race day. (Opens at 11:00)
Want to make a weekend of it in Maryland's wine country? Run the Makin' Hay 10K or the newly added 5k option on Sunday, October 17th! The start/finish of that run is located a scant 5-miles from Burkittsville and I defy you to find a prettier 10K course in Maryland. Register for both Spook Hill and the 10K via our bundle package and save.
9/14/2021 COVID Update-
At this point, as Frederick County is still a high-transmissibility region. Regardless of vaccination status, we expect to ask all volunteers to wear face coverings. We also expect to be asking participants to wear face coverings and practice social distancing as much as possible except when actively on the course.
Race Start- We anticipate utilizing a socially distanced start, with the field of 300 spread out over about 250 yards of roadway.
If the regional transmissibility level drops into the "low" category and the positivity rate dips below 3%, the above protocols may be loosened.
Awards- Overall top 3 m&f will be determined by gun time. Since we are going to have the start more strung out to accommodate social distancing, age group awards will be determined by chip time.
Water Stops- We will have a water stop, but you are highly encouraged to carry your own hydration needs for the duration of the event with you.
These procedures will help us to ensure that we meet or exceed official coronavirus mitigation protocols put forth by local, state, and federal entities. Race-day COVID mitigation procedures will be relayed to volunteers and participants via email the week preceding the event.
Experience for yourself in-person why we were again ranked one of the top fall runs in the country by
Runners World Magazine.
Register via RunSignUp.com
2021 field limited to 225 (*cap raised to 300 on 9/1/2021) in-person registrants. The field will be broadened if circumstances/restrictions permit.
Registration fee schedule for in-person and virtual events:
April 1-May 31: $30
May 1-Sept 26: $33 (Participants must register on or before 9/26 to receive an event shirt)
September 27-Race Day: $35
Race Day Schedule for Traditional Start:
0700 - Participants begin arriving, packet pickup opens
0815 - Packet pickup closes
0830 - Race starts from E. Main St.
0945 - Course closed.
Note: No refunds/exchanges/event swaps after 9/26/2021 for any reason. No dogs or strollers permitted.
For the latest updates, information and sponsor specials,"like" our Facebook page.
SWAG: The first 300 registrants will receive a Spook Hill wine-stopper medal (2019 or 2020 design) and a race tee shirt (must register before 9/27 to receive a shirt). For the in-person event only, finishers can plan on getting a wine glass to add to your collection! SWAG will not be mailed to in-person event registrants.
2021 field limited to 225 (*cap raised to 300 on 9/1/2021) in-person registrants. The field will be broadened if circumstances/restrictions permit.
Registration fee schedule for in-person and virtual events:
April 1-May 31: $30
May 1-Sept 26: $33 (Participants must register on or before 9/26 to receive an event shirt)
September 27-Race Day: $35
Race Day Schedule for Traditional Start:
0700 - Participants begin arriving, packet pickup opens
0815 - Packet pickup closes
0830 - Race starts from E. Main St.
0945 - Course closed.
Note: No refunds/exchanges/event swaps after 9/26/2021 for any reason. No dogs or strollers permitted.
For the latest updates, information and sponsor specials,"like" our Facebook page.
SWAG: The first 300 registrants will receive a Spook Hill wine-stopper medal (2019 or 2020 design) and a race tee shirt (must register before 9/27 to receive a shirt). For the in-person event only, finishers can plan on getting a wine glass to add to your collection! SWAG will not be mailed to in-person event registrants.
National Acclaim: In 2014, the Spook Hill Cider & Wine 4 Mile Run gained national attention with Competitor.com naming us a "Must Do" fall race in the Mid-Atlantic region!
Spook Hill appeared in the October 2015 edition of
Runner's World magazine, in the Races & Places feature.
Also in 2015, Fleet Feet Sports in Baltimore ranked us the
#1 October race to do in Maryland!
Again in 2018, Runners World ranked us 2nd of 15 Great Halloween Runs in the Country!
Spook Hill appeared in the October 2015 edition of
Runner's World magazine, in the Races & Places feature.
Also in 2015, Fleet Feet Sports in Baltimore ranked us the
#1 October race to do in Maryland!
Again in 2018, Runners World ranked us 2nd of 15 Great Halloween Runs in the Country!
Here is an unsolicited email from a 3 year Spook Hill participant:
"This run is without a doubt, the most delightful little race in Maryland. Thank you so, so much for a wonderful event--- Kudos all around. From arrival to the ease of parking (very nice parking attendants to guide you to your spot) a very organized, efficient packet pick-up, and a great DJ to warm you up pre-race. And who wouldn't love a beautiful wine glass for race swag!?
The course is just challenging enough for the elite, and manageable for the middle-of-the-pack and brisk walkers to feel like a morning well-spent! A fall jaunt thru vineyards and orchards is perfect.
My third year running and each year it just gets better and better. Everyone does an outstanding job and makes the whole experience an event not to be missed. From start to finish this run is just darn fun!
Thank you so much again, and look forward to seeing you all again next year,
Cheers!
Terry Zanowicz 10/25/2015"
"This run is without a doubt, the most delightful little race in Maryland. Thank you so, so much for a wonderful event--- Kudos all around. From arrival to the ease of parking (very nice parking attendants to guide you to your spot) a very organized, efficient packet pick-up, and a great DJ to warm you up pre-race. And who wouldn't love a beautiful wine glass for race swag!?
The course is just challenging enough for the elite, and manageable for the middle-of-the-pack and brisk walkers to feel like a morning well-spent! A fall jaunt thru vineyards and orchards is perfect.
My third year running and each year it just gets better and better. Everyone does an outstanding job and makes the whole experience an event not to be missed. From start to finish this run is just darn fun!
Thank you so much again, and look forward to seeing you all again next year,
Cheers!
Terry Zanowicz 10/25/2015"
Thank You to our Partner Landowners!
Distillery Lane Ciderworks
Distillery Lane Ciderworks, located just outside of historic Burkittsville, Maryland, specializes in growing a wide variety of apples perfect for cider, baking, and eating. Our family-owned and operated farm and cidery offers unique apple varieties, sweet cider, and hard cider.
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Boordy Vineyards
We at Boordy celebrate life, wine and good food. We enjoy the spirit of challenge and adventure. We treasure art and music, and love to dance. We marvel at nature's beauty. We value our community and our traditions. We are proud to farm and produce our wine for you.
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