We've decided not to hold the Larry Noel 15K Race and 3K Fun Run in 2023. Race participation has declined steadily over the years. If there's a sufficient expression of interest, we can consider reviving it in 2024. The information below is from the 2022 race.

Sunday, September 4th, 2022. 15K at 5:00 p.m., 3K at 5:10 p.m.

A Maryland State RRCA Grand Prix Championship Series Race!

Through Greenbelt, MD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Center

Take part in a tradition this Labor Day Weekend! Some hills for the strong, some straight-aways for the swift make these courses both fun and a challenge.  The T-shaped 15K course runs through the USDA’s Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and offers sights and scents of the experiments being conducted there, plus four refreshment stops to keep you hydrated.  The 3K Fun Run, a family-friendly event, travels the scenic path around Greenbelt Lake in Buddy Attick Park.  The Race & Run celebrate the 67th Annual Greenbelt Labor Day Festival.  The Festival includes photo shows, art shows, The Miss Greenbelt Pageant, and the Midway Carnival, where you’ll find amusement rides, games, foods and snacks to help you cool off.

Time & Fees: 15K at 5:00 p.m.  $30 on or before 8/23, $35 after 8/23 or on race day.  3K at 5:10 p.m., $20 on or before 8/23, $25 after 8/23 or on race day. No refunds, transfers or deferrals, but we will refund fees if authorities revoke our permits and direct us to cancel the race for COVID-19 related reasons.

Artistic, technical-fiber T-Shirt guaranteed to those who sign up on or before 8/23.

Awards: 15K race features gift certificate awards, $50 for first place, $35 for second place, $25 for third place and first Master (over 40), male & female. Young Runner awards!  $10 cash or gift certificates for the first five runners, 13 years and younger, who finish the 3K Fun Run. Leadership awards may be mailed. Young Runner awards must be received in-person after the race.

Post-race refreshments after the race at the finish line (weather permitting) or in the Greenbelt Youth Center.

Packet Pickup and Late Registration in the Greenbelt Youth Center 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The 15K starting line is at 110 Northway opposite St. Hugh’s School Parking Lot (135 Crescent Road).  The 3K starting line is between the Youth Center and the tennis courts.

Special Notice: We hold this race as guests of the City of Greenbelt and USDA, which is conducting delicate experiments.  Many of the fields are treated with pesticides or other chemicals.  Any runner seen leaving the course and entering the fields or woods for an unauthorized “rest stop” will be disqualified.

Personal Audio (headphones, earbuds, etc.): The 15K Race course is over public roads, which we share with vehicle traffic.  To ensure runners' situational awareness and safety, headphones, earbuds, etc., are not permitted and may be grounds for disqualification.  The 3K Fun Run course is on a trail closed to vehicles, so personal audio is discouraged but allowed.

Help us run the race without, you know, actually running! The Larry Noël races are not possible without the help of volunteers – your time and energy are greatly appreciated, and we need lots of volunteers for this race.  To volunteer, please register here; for additional information, please contact the race director.

Directions: Take Beltway Exit 23, Kenilworth Ave (Rt 201) North for 0.2 miles.  Turn right on Crescent Road at light.  Go east on Crescent Road for 0.6 miles to the St. Hugh's School parking lot.  Additional parking is available a half mile farther down Crescent Road at the Greenbelt Cooperative Store and Recreation Center.  Via Metro: Take Metrorail Green Line to the end-of-the-line at Greenbelt Station.  There are scheduled arrivals at 15-minute intervals, e.g., 3:05, 3:20, 3:35, 3:50pm.  You can jog from the rail station to the Youth Center (see map here; it's a 2.35-mile route). MetroBus runs limited service on Sunday. The G14 bus departs the Greenbelt Metro Station 30 minutes after each hour; get off at the Crescent Road and Gardenway stop at 51 minutes after the hour. The G12 bus departs the Metro Station hourly on the hour. Get off either bus at the Crescent Road and Gardenway stop. You can also use these buses to get to Metro after the race; board at the Crescent Road and Gardenway stop. Click here to download a copy of the G12 bus timetable, or click here to download a copy of the G14 timetable.

Course Maps

• 15K course map
• 3K course map