The Frederick County Parks and Recreation Running Series not only provides healthy competition for local runners, but it also brings runners from other localities and states into the Winchester/Frederick County area. Not only is the Running Series important to the runners who participate, but it also plays an important role in providing necessary resources for two impact programs in our community.

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The Battlefield Half Marathon and Relays began in 2014. The event takes place in the Kernstown, Virginia area just south of the Winchester city limits. Since 2014, the race has donated over $40,000 to the Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter (WATTS). The WATTS program provides a safe, temporary, overnight, cold weather shelter for homeless adults at area sites in the Winchester, Frederick and Clarke County region of the Northern Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.

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The Thanksgiving Day 5K has become a local tradition on Thanksgiving morning. The race, in its 20+ years of existence has helped provide resources for area youth through the use of PLAY Fund and Big Brothers Big Sisters. These important programs assist youth who may not otherwise be able to participate in local recreation and child care programs for financial reasons.