Half marathon, 10K and 5K participants celebrate reaching the Freedoms Run finish line at Ram Stadium on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — A thousand runners and walkers took to the streets and trails of Shepherdstown, Harpers Ferry and Sharpsburg, Md., ready to participate in the 16th annual Freedoms Run Race Series on Saturday.

According to Freedoms Run founder Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, the proceeds from this year’s event were, as in years past, dedicated to improving the health of local residents.

“We do projects involving community health and fitness,” Cucuzzella said. “Human health is not at a high point. We need to be doing things in our community to make it better.”

He noted that this year’s participation was similar to last year’s and, although smaller than several years ago, was actually ideal in his mind.

“We’re probably close to the right size, for the nature of the town and the course,” Cucuzzella said. “What’s important to me, is that people come out here and have a great day and accomplish a goal — that they have fun while participating in physical activity and getting into the national parks.”

Laura Bergmann, dressed up as Wonder Woman, leads some stretches on King Street, prior to the beginning of the Kids One-Mile Fun Run on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

Those who participated in the marathon ran through both Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and Antietam Battlefield, while those who ran the half marathon only ran through Antietam Battlefield. Those paths then joined the 5K and 10K routes, leading participants along the C&O Canal towpath.

For female marathon winner Julien Webster, having such a unique route to run made participating in the race particularly worthwhile.

“I enjoyed being able to run along the canal and trails,” Webster, of Thurmont, Md., said. “Two years ago, I did the half marathon here. I decided to come back and do the marathon here this year, to help me prepare to run the JFK 50 Mile ultramarathon in November.”

Martinsburg resident Adam Lowe beat Webster out for the overall first place marathon finish by a couple of minutes. Lowe then waited at the finish line in Ram Stadium for his wife, Katie, to complete the half marathon.

“I won last year, as well, but this year I was about two minutes faster,” Lowe said, mentioning he enjoyed doing Freedoms Run every year. “Because it’s challenging, it’s worth doing. You can find a flat marathon anywhere, but to find one that goes through three national parks is much less ordinary. My favorite part is when you cross the river and go down the staircase — I’ve never found another marathon where you have to go down a big staircase to get on the course!”

Children make their way down King Street, during the annual Kids One-Mile Fun Run in the Freedoms Run Race Series on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

Even for those who didn’t have as expansive of a view due to the race they participated in, Freedoms Run still proved to be enjoyable.

“I loved the scenery,” said Erin Cuppett, of Inwood, after completing the 5K. “It’s so much easier to run when there’s a beautiful view!”

For many local residents, Freedoms Run has become an annual tradition. Shepherdstown resident Ellen Muck said this was the eighth year she has participated in the Freedoms Run Racing Series.

“I keep doing it every year because I live close by,” Muck, who ran the 10K this year, said. “I’ve done the half marathon, 10K and 5K — they’re very demanding, but that makes it worthwhile. And there’s a great party [at the Bavarian Inn] afterwards!”