We’d especially like to thank all the people and organizations who volunteered their time and services to make the day safe and successful:

• Janet Padgett, John Richards, Ann Richards and the all of our Brunch Volunteers
• All of our packet, registration, parking, and race day volunteers
• The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department
• Maryland State Police (Leonardtown Barracks)
• John Papson and Chris Friess of the Chesapeake Running Club
• The Town of Leonardtown
• The Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad
• The REACT Team
• Kenny Sothron and the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks
• Darren Alvey and the St. Mary’s County Department of Public Works
• Boy Scout Troop #561
• Girl Scout troop #2247
• Golden Retriever Rescue of So MD
• Our Water Stop Volunteers
• Shawn Knott (DJ)
• Alan Norris (National Anthem)

We’d couldn’t have this event without the help of these individuals and organizations.

Our primary mission is to raise funds for Hospice of St. Mary’s, and to make this event better each year. We appreciate your support and welcome your feedback.

On behalf of Hospice of St. Mary’s and the RunForHospice.org Staff. Thanks.

We’re always looking to improve so if you have comments about the event please email us.

Thanks for your support of the 16th Annual Run & Fun Walk and Hospice of St. Mary’s.

The Drill Hall is located on the grounds of the St. Mary’s County Governmental Center on Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown.

Any packets not picked up on Friday will be available for pick up on race day at the Drill Hall from 7am – 8am.

RUNNERS: We are using ChronoTrack Systems D-Tags again this year. The D-Tag is attached to your bib in the race packet so you are all set for race day.

PARKING NOTE: We’ve had a record number of registrations this year, participants are encouraged to carpool to the event if possible.

OVERFLOW PARKING: Overflow parking is available this year at St. Mary’s Hospital however note that there is no transportation from the Hospital parking lot to the event site.

If you have other questions see the FAQ page on this site.

Albert Lewis Barthelme, Jr.

This years Defender’s Cup Honoree is Albert Lewis Barthelme, Jr. Originally from Towson, Maryland, Al moved with his family to Southern Maryland in 1962 when his father – former NBA Baltimore Bullets head coach Al Barthelme, Sr. – took a job in St. Mary’s County. (Barthelme, Sr. also served as supervisor of the county’s Youth Commission, and developed the Department of Parks and Recreation).

Handsome and gregarious, Al, Jr. quickly fell in love with St. Mary’s County and became a 3-sport standout athlete and scholar at Chopticon High School. He was quarterback of the football team, loved baseball and excelled at basketball. His athletic prowess and determination are still talked about by those who played with and against him. Al served in the U. S. Army as a utility/observation helicopter pilot with the Army’s 170th AHC during the Vietnam War, and was known throughout his unit for being fond of wearing his favorite green “St. Mary’s County” t-shirt. On April 15,1970 while approaching a landing zone in the area of Dak Seang, Al’s helicopter and crew came under intense and concentrated 360 degree enemy ground fire which rendered the aircraft inoperable, causing it to crash. The crew survived the crash and on their attempt to run for cover, were the focus of an intense barrage of enemy fire. It was during this barrage that Al was wounded while saving the life of his crew chief. Al was so loved and admired among his unit that when other aircrews (both returning from missions and presently on the ground between missions) heard radio traffic regarding the situation, immediately sought permission to rescue him and the surviving members of his crew. Though numerous and repeated rescue attempts were made by various aircraft, the extremely intense and concentrated ground fire prohibited them from extricating Al from the site. Al died of his wounds before he could be rescued. On April 29, 1970, a U.S. search and recovery team was able to land near the crash site. Al was identified by his green St. Mary’s County-shirt. For his heroic, courageous and commendable actions under fire, Al was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 28 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart. He was 21 years old.

The Run & Fun Walk for Hospice is honored to dedicate the 2011 Defender’s Cup Competition in memory and tribute of Albert Lewis Barthelme, Jr.

Take a look and see if you can spot yourself finishing the race.

We’d especially like to thank all the people and organizations who volunteered their time and services to make the day safe and successful:

• Janet Padgett, John Richards, Ann Richards and the all of our Brunch Volunteers
• All of our packet, registration, parking, and race day volunteers
• The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department
• Maryland State Police (Leonardtown Barracks)
• John Papson and Chris Friess of the Chesapeake Running Club
• The Town of Leonardtown
• The Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad
• The REACT Team
• Kenny Sothron and the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks
• Darren Alvey and the St. Mary’s County Department of Public Works
• Boy Scout Troop #561
• Girl Scout troop #2247
• Golden Retriever Rescue of So MD
• Our Water Stop Volunteers
• Shawn Knott (DJ)
• Sarah Milcetich and Loren Day (National Anthem)

We’d couldn’t have this event without the help of these individuals and organizations.

Our primary mission is to raise funds for Hospice of St. Mary’s, and to make this event better each year. We appreciate your support and welcome your feedback.

On behalf of Hospice of St. Mary’s and the RunForHospice.org Staff. Thanks.