Avenue News | Lisa Harlow
Approximately 1,500 runners, walkers and spectators gathered at Crossroads @95 on Rte. 43 Saturday, October 23 for the 3rd Annual Baltimore Crossroads @95 5K CrossCountry Challenge. It was a beautiful fall morning, with perfect weather for the 5K run and one-mile family fun walk.
The 5K race course was set up on a unique combination of road, open terrain and hiking trails around the park, and the one-mile fun walk/run stayed on paved areas within the park. Over $1,700 in cash prizes were offered to the top three male and female adult finishers in the 5K run, and savings bonds were the prizes for the highest placing contestants under age 13.
Maryland licensed commercial real estate brokers, who were given free entry into the race, were eligible to compete for separate cash prizes. Medals were also awarded to the top three finishers by age groups in the 5K run, as well as to the youngest and oldest participants in the one-mile walk/run.
The Baltimore Crossroads @95 5K CrossCountry Challenge was sponsored by St. John Properties, Arbors at Baltimore Crossroads and the Baltimore County Police Department and benefited the two local non-profit organizations that help area youth: Baltimore County Police Athletic League (PAL) and Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Academy.
PAL operates centers that offer athletic, social and educational programs that provide an alternative to youth boredom, violence and victimization. Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Academy is a cooperative agreement between The Maryland National Guard and the National Guard Bureau. The Academy is a tuition-free program which offers at-risk adolescents 16 to 18 years old (some 19 year olds may qualify) an opportunity to change their future in many ways, culminating with the opportunity to earn a Maryland High School Diploma.
The Maryland Air National Guard and the Baltimore County Police Department were among the many exhibitors at the race, which also included Mason-Dixon Rescue Dogs. Sharon Ballweg of Harford County exhibited at the race with her Border Collie Miko of Mason-Dixon Rescue Dogs.
The rescue dogs are trained to find missing people and also human remains. Mason- Dixon Rescue Dogs is a volunteer organization. The dogs live at home with their owners, and it can take two years to get a dog trained and fully operational.
Last year’s event raised $25,000 net for Baltimore County PAL. Event organizers expect this year’s event to surpass those levels.
Baltimore Crossroads @95 is a 1,000-acre business community located off I-95 and Md. Rte. 43, between White Marsh and the Middle River waterfront. Upon completion, Baltimore Crossroads @95 will contain five million square feet of flex/office, office, research and development, warehouse and industrial space, along with approximately 400,000 square feet of retail space, two hotels and luxury multi- family residences.
In addition to the presenting sponsors, additional sponsors secured to date include: AA Signs, Avery Box Tops Education, Baird Wealth Management, Baltimore County Department of Economic Development, Baltimore County Fire Department, Baltimore County Public Schools, Bobby’s Portable Restrooms, Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire Department, The Campitelli Family, CEI Services, Central Alarmers, Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce, CJ Maintenance, Franklin Square Hospital Center, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Maryland Air National Guard, Maryland State Department of Education, Mid-Atlantic Masonry, Middle River Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Co., Middle River Volunteer Fire Company, Nightmare Graphics, Select Event Rentals, University of Maryland Alumni Association, Vision Technologies and White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company.
