OCEAN CITY- Bragging rights and a handsome trophy will be on the line this weekend in the NFL Football 5K Challenge pitting teams of runners representing the Baltimore Ravens against teams of runners representing the Pittsburgh Steelers along with several other popular teams.
For the first two years, the event was called the Ravens-Steelers 5K Challenge and pitted teams of runners representing both teams in a Boardwalk 5K and other events with bragging rights on the line. The runners would wear the colors of their favorite teams and a joint tailgate party would be held at Buxy’s Salty Dog for the Steeler fans and the Pit-and-Pub for the Ravens fans, although the lines were often blurred and the two fan bases intermingled in a good natured, friendly competition with a big trophy going to the winners.
That much has not changed this year as Buxy’s and the Pit-and-Pub continue to be the main sponsors of the event, produced by OC Tri Running. Both establishments will hold tailgate parties and after-parties again this year and the prevailing theme will likely continue to be the Ravens-Steelers rivalry.
What is different this year is the event is now called the NFL Football 5K Challenge and is wide open to fans from all teams. Runners are encouraged to wear the colors of their favorite teams and there will likely be an influx of fans of the Redskins, Eagles, and many other NFL teams. The 5K starts and finishes on the Boardwalk at 27th Street.
The top 25 race times for both bars will be added and the fastest combined time will win the trophy and bragging rights for the next year. The trophy will remain in the possession of the winning team until the race is run again around this time next year.