2025 Spook Hill Cider & Wine 4 Mile Run

From the official race website:

Run one of the most popular fall races in the region with us! Our scenic, traditional 4-mile hybrid road/Cross Country course winds through historic Burkittsville, MD (yes, that Blair Witch Project town), Boordy’s South Mountain Vineyard, historic Burkittsville Union Cemetery, farmland owned by South Mountain Creamery, and the Distillery Lane Ciderworks’ orchard. 

*Wine Trail changes for 2025: 

1) Long-term Wine Trail partner, Antietam Creek Vineyards, will again be on-site offering tastings and bottle sales on race morning! 

2) Distillery Lane Ciderworks has retired from cider production, so there WILL NOT be any post-race cider at DLC. We still have permission to use the orchard for the run, so the 4-mile course will not be changing due to this development. We wholeheartedly thank Distillery Lane Ciderworks and Orchid Cellar for their support of the wine trail since day one! 

3) Boordy Vineyards will not be with us offering tastings, but have graciously granted us permission to continue running through their beautiful vineyard!

4) Willow Oaks Craft Cider & Wine and Antietam Creek Vineyards will be offering “Spook Hill Specials” to our participants. Show your bib at The Little Red Barn Ice Cream Cafe and get a free “kiddie sized” soft-serve on race day. *Limit one special per winery/restaurant when you show your race bib.

Walkers are welcome to register for the 3-mile walk!

Walkers will be untimed and traverse the first three miles of the course. You’ll go through Boordy’s vineyard, the cemetery, farm lane and return to the Ruritan. You’ll get the same finisher’s awards (and Spook Hill “specials” at participating establishments) as the 4-milers!

Finisher’s Awards for Runners and Walkers: Finishers will receive one of our traditional wine glasses. In an effort to reduce costs, we are not offering finisher’s medals this year, but we will have plenty of apple cider and freshly-baked cider donuts to go around post-race!

Accolades:  Spook Hill was named by Competitor.com in 2014 as a “Must Do” fall race in the Mid-Atlantic Region.  Runner’s World Magazine featured the race in 2015 and 2018! Join us to see what you’ve been missing!

Visit the participating wineries/cideries/eateries after your run. Nearby vineyards Antietam Creek Vineyards, and Willow Oaks Craft Cider and Wine are participating establishments for 2025, as is our Gold Level Sponsor, The Little Red Barn Ice Cream Cafe in Jefferson!  Show your race bib at each establishment (single use per establishment) to redeem.

Overland Timing is providing timing services.

Course Map can be found by clicking here: 

Unique awards for the top 3 M&F runners!

5-Year Age Group Awards for those running the 4-Mile – M & F Age Groups, 3-deep (no double dipping): 10 and under; 11-14; 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75 and over.
*Overall awards are to be determined by gun time, with age group awards determined by chip time.

Race Date:

Saturday, October 18, 2025. 0830 start time. Note: No late starts are allowed due to safety concerns and road opening schedules.

We will meet or exceed any CDC, state, or local health department mitigation requirements in effect on race day. We ask that you not attend if you are in any way feeling ill.

Note: No dogs (except certified service dogs at race HQ) are permitted on any race-associated property and no jogging/running strollers are allowed on the course.

Walkers must register as such for the 3-mile event. All participants must be off the course by 0945. Runners (17 min/mile pace or faster) should be able to finish by 9:40, which is when our awards ceremony will start. 

Limited refunds are available through 30 days prior to race day via your RunSignup. Within 30 days, there are no refunds for any reason – premiums are ordered and expenses have been incurred. You will be offered the opportunity to purchase race registration insurance through a third-party vendor during the registration process.