ROCK HALL — The Flat Five, a nearly 5-mile footrace that is an integral part of the Independence Day celebration here, is set for Saturday, July 4.
This is the 43rd edition of the race, which starts promptly at 8 a.m.
The Town of Rock Hall and Java Rock coffee shop are returning as sponsors.
The race finishes where it starts — on South Main Street in front of what for many years was the municipal building.
Race director Dennis Herrmann strongly encourages that registration be done ahead of time. The cost is only $20 if you pre-register. The cost increases to $30 on race day, when registration will not be accepted after 7:45 a.m. at the former municipal building.
A commemorative T-shirt is included in the registration fee.
To register, call Herrmann at 410-490-6951; email him at herrmann5836@atlanticbb.net; or download the registration form from https://www.rockhallmd.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif3736/f/events/4th_of_july_flat_five_race_registration_form_2026_1.pdf.
You can send a check [payable to Town of Rock Hall] to Dennis Herrmann, 5836 Haven Court, Rock Hall, MD 21661. Include your name, age and T-shirt size.
Those who register ahead of time also can bring their check to the race table on race day from 7 to 7:45 a.m. or to Herrmann’s home on July 3 between 5:30 and 7 p.m., when race numbers and commemorative T-shirts can be picked up.
The overall male winner and the overall female winner each will receive a special prize. The first three place-finishers, male and female, in various age groups also will receive prizes.
Participants are reminded that the race is nearly 5 miles and not a 5K.
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The Flat Five, which Dennis Herrmann founded in 1982, initially was a 5-miler.
In 2014 the course was shortened to 4.7 miles when Herrmann moved the finish line from the center of town to alleviate the traffic tie-up that was becoming common as the race grew in popularity.
Charlie Scales, then 18, of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania established the “new” course record of 26 minutes, 58 seconds in 2016.
Just last year, Erica Zaveta, 35, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania became the first female to be the overall winner, establishing a course record of 28:20 for women. Though Zaveta’s parents have had a home in Rock Hall for many years, this was her Flat Five debut.
The race was put on pause in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID pandemic.
