New “Progressive” Race Coming to Fairmount Park This Summer

Here’s an interesting idea: a race in which you choose your own distance. That’s the premise of the inaugural Philadelphia OUCH! Race in Fairmount Park on August 24th, which will field runners for 5K, 10K and 15K distances. There will also be a one-mile fun run/walk suitable for families.

The choose-your-own-adventure-style race is meant to appeal to a broader range of walkers and runners than a single-distance event. Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in the 15K race, as well as age-group winners for that distance. All participants will get tech shirts.

The race benefits the Bates-Jensen Wound Reach Foundation, a California-based nonprofit that focuses on wound care—which, of course, is where they got the OUCH! Race concept. The race’s course maps haven’t been released yet, but the runs start at the Please Touch Museum.

Registration, which is $55 through the end of January with increases until race day, is happening here.