Baltimore, MD – Nearly 500 citizens have already registered for a rare opportunity to see a portion of the first segment of the Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD 200 up close as they travel it by foot during the ICC 5K Walk/Run this Sunday, Oct. 17 -- all while raising funds to support Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD). The Walk/Run begins at 9 a.m. and will take participants on an out-and-back course over paved travel lanes of the ICC, beginning near the new ICC bridge over Shady Grove Road.
“Support for the 5K has been outstanding – nearly $20,000 is already pledged,” said Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Police Chief Marcus L. Brown. “We are looking forward to Governor Martin O’Malley joining Special Olympians to count down the start of the race and to meeting some of the citizens and families we’ll help protect as they travel the ICC when it opens.”
The MDTA Police have put in place the following safety measures for the event:
• All persons and items are subject to a security search.
• Pets and wheeled transportation are prohibited. However, wheelchairs, assistance dogs, strollers and small wagons used to carry children are permitted.
• MDTA Police will be stationed along the race route to assist participants as needed.
To register for this unique event or to sponsor a registered walker/runner, visit
www.iccrun.org. The entry fee is $25 now and $30 on race day, and the first 500 registrants will receive a commemorative event t-shirt from SOMD. On-line registration closes Friday, Oct. 15, at 11 a.m. Packet pick-up is from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Pacers Silver Spring and from 8 to 9 a.m. Sunday at the event site. Awards will be presented to the top three male, top three female and top three 18-and-younger racers. Police and emergency vehicles also will be on display from the MDTA Police and local emergency responders.
ADD ONE: STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR ICC 5K WALK/RUN
The attached map shows access to the event site/parking via Shady Grove Road. Motorists traveling westbound on Shady Grove Road (from MD 115 or Midcounty Highway) will turn right directly onto the new ICC ramp about one-half mile past Briardale Road. Those traveling eastbound on Shady Grove (from I-370/I-270 or Crabbs Branch Way) will make a u-turn at the traffic signal at Briardale Road and then turn right onto the new ICC ramp. ICC 5K signs and MDTA Police officers will help direct event participants. Note for local travel: traffic is expected to be heavy in this area between 7:30 and 9 a.m. as participants arrive for the event. All vehicles will exit the event site via I-370.
The ICC 5K Walk/Run is hosted by the MDTA and the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). As long-time supporters of SOMD, the MDTA Police recently hosted the Second Annual Fort McHenry Tunnel 5K Run/Walk, which raised $50,000 for SOMD activities.
The first seven-mile segment of the ICC -- of which 5.5 miles are tolled -- between I-370 at Shady Grove Road and MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) in Rockville/Olney is expected to open to traffic in late 2010 or early 2011. The SHA is managing ICC construction. Once construction is complete, the MDTA will own, operate and maintain this new all-electronic toll facility.
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