2026 Catoctin 25/50K Training
First Run
Sunday, March 1, 2026Start Time
7:30 amTraining Runs
Every Tuesday Every SundayStart Time
6:30 am 7:30 am
Share With Friends
Coach: Simon Arendt
Simon is a Frederick local who has been hiking, camping, running, and enjoying the trails of Frederick County for his whole life! Simon played plenty of endurance-based team sports like soccer, basketball, and rugby but never wanted anything to do with track or XC after a brief introduction in high school. Fast forward to 2020 when the world got turned upside down and Simon found running after losing his job. One thing led to another and he was signed up for the JFK 50 Miler to prove that he could outpace one of his friends. After running the local Catoctin 50k as a tune-up race and finishing JFK, Simon was hooked on the trails, the competition, and the community.
Simon has now run over a dozen ultras in MD, PA, VA, UT, MT and beyond, including Catoctin 50k, JFK 50 Miler, Hashawha Hills 50k, The Rut 50k, Massanutten Mountain Trail 100 Miler, Moab Red Hot 55k, Grindstone 100k, and more! While his preference is to run in the woods Simon believes strongly that some amount of speed work and flat running are essential for trail runners who want to get the most out of themselves on race day. As a father of two kids (under 3!) Simon understands what it takes to train while parenting.
As an educator, nature enthusiast, and outdoor recreator Simon is passionate about sharing his beloved Frederick County trails with anybody who will listen. His goal for coaching with Charm City is to pass along his training and racing experiences, show off Frederick’s world-class trail systems, and show local athletes that they can do anything they set their minds to! Interested in trail running? Want to go beyond the marathon distance? Curious about how to increase your mileage? Want tips on how to get your runs done with a full schedule? Simon is here to help!
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
At Charm City Run our goal is to safely train runners towards reaching their goals of finishing your first ultra, achieving PR and everything in between. The power of the group atmosphere makes the journey fun and enjoyable while encouragement from your coaches makes the long runs much easier.
Each group will meet twice a week for runs and learn about hydration, trail running, easy runs, recovery runs, hydration, nutrition, injury prevention and much more along the way. Weekday runs will consist of hills and track workouts. Weekend morning runs will be trail runs at local parks, unless weather forces us to stay on the roads.
Our Frederick spring ultra group starts on March 1st and will target the CAT 25/50K on June 20th, 2026 or any other spring ultra marathon in the same time frame. Training plans can be adapted to your target race.
Requirements
To safely meet your goal we do ask that you have completed at least one marathon distance and have a strong base level of trail running under your belt. We ask that you are able to run 10 miles at least once before the start for the program. Are you not sure if you meet these requirements? Don’t worry, ask the coach during the info session.
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 Catoctin 25/50K Training
First Run
Sunday, March 1, 2026Start Time
7:30 amTraining Runs
Every Tuesday Every SundayStart Time
6:30 am 7:30 am
Sponsored by Altra
Description
At Charm City Run our goal is to safely train runners towards reaching their goals of finishing your first ultra, achieving PR and everything in between. The power of the group atmosphere makes the journey fun and enjoyable while encouragement from your coaches makes the long runs much easier.
Each group will meet twice a week for runs and learn about hydration, trail running, easy runs, recovery runs, hydration, nutrition, injury prevention and much more along the way. Weekday runs will consist of hills and track workouts. Weekend morning runs will be trail runs at local parks, unless weather forces us to stay on the roads.
Our Frederick spring ultra group starts on March 1st and will target the CAT 25/50K on June 20th, 2026 or any other spring ultra marathon in the same time frame. Training plans can be adapted to your target race.
Requirements
To safely meet your goal we do ask that you have completed at least one marathon distance and have a strong base level of trail running under your belt. We ask that you are able to run 10 miles at least once before the start for the program. Are you not sure if you meet these requirements? Don’t worry, ask the coach during the info session.
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: Simon Arendt
Simon is a Frederick local who has been hiking, camping, running, and enjoying the trails of Frederick County for his whole life! Simon played plenty of endurance-based team sports like soccer, basketball, and rugby but never wanted anything to do with track or XC after a brief introduction in high school. Fast forward to 2020 when the world got turned upside down and Simon found running after losing his job. One thing led to another and he was signed up for the JFK 50 Miler to prove that he could outpace one of his friends. After running the local Catoctin 50k as a tune-up race and finishing JFK, Simon was hooked on the trails, the competition, and the community.
Simon has now run over a dozen ultras in MD, PA, VA, UT, MT and beyond, including Catoctin 50k, JFK 50 Miler, Hashawha Hills 50k, The Rut 50k, Massanutten Mountain Trail 100 Miler, Moab Red Hot 55k, Grindstone 100k, and more! While his preference is to run in the woods Simon believes strongly that some amount of speed work and flat running are essential for trail runners who want to get the most out of themselves on race day. As a father of two kids (under 3!) Simon understands what it takes to train while parenting.
As an educator, nature enthusiast, and outdoor recreator Simon is passionate about sharing his beloved Frederick County trails with anybody who will listen. His goal for coaching with Charm City is to pass along his training and racing experiences, show off Frederick’s world-class trail systems, and show local athletes that they can do anything they set their minds to! Interested in trail running? Want to go beyond the marathon distance? Curious about how to increase your mileage? Want tips on how to get your runs done with a full schedule? Simon is here to help!
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.
