2026 Maryland Heat 25/50K Training
First Run
Sunday, May 17, 2026Start Time
6:30 amTraining Runs
Every Wednesday Every SundayStart Time
6:00 pm 6:30 am
Share With Friends
Coach: Ryan Williams
Ryan lives in Columbia, Maryland with his wife, adventurous three-year-old daughter, and energetic Wheaten Terrier who’s always up for a run. He grew up in Carroll County surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods, and as a kid, spent countless hours exploring every trail, stream, and hidden corner he could find. That early love for the outdoors sparked a lifelong connection to nature and running, where running has become both a place for adventure and a space to grow as a person.Running has been a constant throughout his adult life—a space where challenge, self-discovery,and calm coexist. There’s nothing quite like a crisp 5 a.m. run through fresh snow or a gnarly singletrack shared with good company. These moments remind him that running is a journey, not just a goal. It’s this mindset he brings to coaching: helping athletes build a lifelong love of the sport while becoming stronger, more resilient humans along the way. Ryan has competed in everything from 5ks to 24-hour races. He is excited to share the magic of the trails with anyone looking to have some human-powered adventure in nature. You can usually find him running trail loops in Wincopin or long out-and-backs in Patapsco while eating a quesadilla and dangerously bombing some technical downhills.
Virtual Training
We also offer virtual training options for our training programs.. You can either purchase a training plan or sign up for monthly virtual training with access to an expert coach.
Sponsored by Altra
Description
Charm City Run Columbia’s summer trail/ultra training series is designed to prepare runners for summer or early fall trail and ultra racing with structure, community, and thoughtful coaching. Whether you are stepping up to your first 25K or building toward a 50K, this group will help you train with purpose and confidence.
The group atmosphere makes challenging efforts more enjoyable, and steady guidance from your coach helps runners stay consistent and prepared throughout the training cycle.
This group starts in mid-May and will target the Maryland Heat Race 25k/50k taking place on August 15, 2026 in Patapsco State Park. However, if you’re training for another trail or ultramarathon in late summer or early fall, we can adjust your training plan as necessary.
This series meets twice per week and includes both focused workouts and trail-specific long runs.
Wednesdays will feature hills, strength-based efforts, and speed development to build durability and efficiency for trail racing.
Sundays will be progressive trail long runs around Howard County designed to prepare runners for the terrain, climbing, pacing, and fueling demands of the Maryland Heat Race. Locations may vary, and adjustments may be made based on weather conditions.
Throughout the program, runners will learn about hydration for warm-weather training, fueling strategies, recovery, pacing, injury prevention, and race-day preparation.
This group is best suited for runners who are comfortable on trail terrain and have an established running base prior to the start of the program.
What To Expect
- SUPPORTED GROUP RUNS AND WORKOUTS TWICE A WEEK WITH PLANNED ROUTES, HYDRATION AND COMPANIONSHIP
- POSITIVE AND WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE FOR RUNNERS AND WALKERS OF ALL LEVELS
- WEEKLY TRAINING PLANS – BEGINNER AND INTERMEDIATE OPTIONS
- ACCESS TO EXPERT COACHING SERVICES AND ADVICE
- 10% STORE DISCOUNT AT CHARM CITY RUN
- 15% OFF CHARM CITY RUN SIGNATURE RACES
- NUTRITION, GEAR AND INJURY PREVENTION EDUCATION
- ALTRA TRAINING PREMIUM
Questions
Do you have a question about our training programs? Email our training director, Natalie Ferguson, at natalie@charmcityrun.com and we will get back to you with more information..
2026 Maryland Heat 25/50K Training
First Run
Sunday, May 17, 2026Start Time
6:30 amTraining Runs
Every Wednesday Every SundayStart Time
6:00 pm 6:30 am
Sponsored by Altra
Description
Charm City Run Columbia’s summer trail/ultra training series is designed to prepare runners for summer or early fall trail and ultra racing with structure, community, and thoughtful coaching. Whether you are stepping up to your first 25K or building toward a 50K, this group will help you train with purpose and confidence.
The group atmosphere makes challenging efforts more enjoyable, and steady guidance from your coach helps runners stay consistent and prepared throughout the training cycle.
This group starts in mid-May and will target the Maryland Heat Race 25k/50k taking place on August 15, 2026 in Patapsco State Park. However, if you’re training for another trail or ultramarathon in late summer or early fall, we can adjust your training plan as necessary.
This series meets twice per week and includes both focused workouts and trail-specific long runs.
Wednesdays will feature hills, strength-based efforts, and speed development to build durability and efficiency for trail racing.
Sundays will be progressive trail long runs around Howard County designed to prepare runners for the terrain, climbing, pacing, and fueling demands of the Maryland Heat Race. Locations may vary, and adjustments may be made based on weather conditions.
Throughout the program, runners will learn about hydration for warm-weather training, fueling strategies, recovery, pacing, injury prevention, and race-day preparation.
This group is best suited for runners who are comfortable on trail terrain and have an established running base prior to the start of the program.
What To Expect
- SUPPORTED GROUP RUNS AND WORKOUTS TWICE A WEEK WITH PLANNED ROUTES, HYDRATION AND COMPANIONSHIP
- POSITIVE AND WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE FOR RUNNERS AND WALKERS OF ALL LEVELS
- WEEKLY TRAINING PLANS – BEGINNER AND INTERMEDIATE OPTIONS
- ACCESS TO EXPERT COACHING SERVICES AND ADVICE
- 10% STORE DISCOUNT AT CHARM CITY RUN
- 15% OFF CHARM CITY RUN SIGNATURE RACES
- NUTRITION, GEAR AND INJURY PREVENTION EDUCATION
- ALTRA TRAINING PREMIUM
Questions
Do you have a question about our training programs? Email our training director, Natalie Ferguson, at natalie@charmcityrun.com and we will get back to you with more information..
Share With Friends
Coach: Ryan Williams
Ryan lives in Columbia, Maryland with his wife, adventurous three-year-old daughter, and energetic Wheaten Terrier who’s always up for a run. He grew up in Carroll County surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods, and as a kid, spent countless hours exploring every trail, stream, and hidden corner he could find. That early love for the outdoors sparked a lifelong connection to nature and running, where running has become both a place for adventure and a space to grow as a person.Running has been a constant throughout his adult life—a space where challenge, self-discovery,and calm coexist. There’s nothing quite like a crisp 5 a.m. run through fresh snow or a gnarly singletrack shared with good company. These moments remind him that running is a journey, not just a goal. It’s this mindset he brings to coaching: helping athletes build a lifelong love of the sport while becoming stronger, more resilient humans along the way. Ryan has competed in everything from 5ks to 24-hour races. He is excited to share the magic of the trails with anyone looking to have some human-powered adventure in nature. You can usually find him running trail loops in Wincopin or long out-and-backs in Patapsco while eating a quesadilla and dangerously bombing some technical downhills.
Virtual Training
We also offer virtual training options for our training programs.. You can either purchase a training plan or sign up for monthly virtual training with access to an expert coach.
