Public Service

— Activities In and Around Montgomery County —

Don't know if this is something you want to do?

Maybe you simply want to observe what goes on before you commit to working an event? Contact us and we will arrange for you to work with an experienced volunteer to observe and understand what is involved in working a public service event.

Don't have a radio but want to participate?

We have appropriate equipment to provide for your use to participate in an event.

2026 MARC Public Service Events

MARC’s primarily mission at Public Service Events is the safety of the participants, course volunteers, and the public, as well as situational awareness for the race directors and coordination with police and medical personnel. This is accomplished by operating directed tactical radio nets with volunteer amateur radio operators on the course at key locations, including, for some events, bicycle mobile operators; and, shadowing race directors, police, and medical personnel. Communication is usually via HT through local repeaters and/or simplex frequencies. Several events may use cross band repeaters or elevated antennas.

If you are new to ham radio or Public Service Events and want to observe what goes on before you commit to working an event, contact us and we will arrange for you to work with an experienced volunteer to observe and understand what is involved in working a public service event. If you are interested in trying it but want some instruction and practice before hand, we can arrange that too. MARC also has appropriate equipment you can use to participate in an event.

MARC will be seeking volunteers to support radio communications for these events. If you would like to help with radio communications, logistics, or planning and administration for any of these events, please send email to Paul N3RQV.

MARC Coordinated Events

Pike’s Peek 10K Run

https://www.pikespeek10k.org/

Date: Sunday, April 26; Time: 6:30 am - 10:00 am

Race starts at 7:50 am

Location: 10K run from Shady Grove Metro Station to Pike and Rose (Rockville Pike and Rose Ave), Rockville.

Riley’s Rumble Half Marathon
https://mcrrc.org/calendar-event/rileys-rumble-half-marathon-2023/

Date: Sunday, July 26; Time: 6:30 am - 10:30 am

Race starts at 7:30 am
Location: Boyds, MD

Kentlands/Lakelands 5K Run (New event this year)

Date: Saturday, September 5 (Labor Day weekend); Time: 6:00 am – 10:30 am

Location: Kentlands, MD

Now in its 33rd year, the Run has become the most significant 5K event in Montgomery County

drawing over 1,500 runners and more than 2,000 spectators.

Parks Half Marathon
https://parkshalfmarathon.com/

Date: Sunday, Sep 27; Time: 6:00 am - 10:30 am
Race time: 6:45 am - 10:00 am.
Location: Shady Grove Metro to and down Rock Creek Trail to Beech Drive and Rockville Pike.

Rockville 10K

https://mcrrc.org/calendar-event/rockville-10k-5k-2026/

Date: Sunday, November 1; Time: 7:15 – 10:30 am

Race time: 8:30 – 10:30

Location: Rockville, MD

Other Area Events of Interest

Tour de Frederick (Coordinator: Frederick Amateur Radio Club – FARC)

https://www.tourdefrederick.com/

Date: Saturday, June 6; Time: varies depending on race

Race: 30 Mile, 60 Mile, and 100 Mile races – Water Stop and SAG Vehicles

Location: Walkersville, MD (near Frederick)

Takoma Park July 4th Parade