Detective Will Race in Baltimore Festival for Charity
Detective Zachary Rutherford will run in the Baltimore Running Festival on Oct. 17, 2026, to benefit the Signal 13 Foundation.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Baltimore Police Detective Zachary Rutherford is set to participate in the Baltimore Running Festival on Oct. 17, 2026. His performance during the race will directly generate donations for the Signal 13 Foundation, an organization supporting police families.
Why it matters
The effort raises critical funds for the Signal 13 Foundation, which provides financial assistance and college scholarships to police personnel and their families in need. The initiative builds on the charity's long-standing tradition of support for the local department.
Detective Rutherford maintains a mile pace of six minutes and 13 seconds. The foundation also distributes over 700 turkeys to police personnel annually during the Thanksgiving season.
The players
Zachary Rutherford
He is a Baltimore Police Detective participating in the upcoming festival to support department personnel.
Signal 13 Foundation
This organization provides financial aid and college scholarships to police department members and their families.
Corrigan Sports Enterprises
The company organizes athletic events and is sponsoring the donation per-runner-passed initiative.
The details
Detective Rutherford is joining the Charity Chasers, a group that supports nonprofits by attempting to pass as many fellow participants as possible during athletic events. Corrigan Sports Enterprises has committed to donating $2 to the Signal 13 Foundation for every runner that the detective passes on the course.
Timeline
The Signal 13 Foundation was established in Baltimore in the early 1980s.
The Charity Chasers raised more than $7,000 during the previous year in 2025.
The Baltimore Running Festival charity event takes place on Oct. 17, 2026.
Market Landscape
This initiative follows the Charity Chasers performance-based nonprofit fundraising model by leveraging athletic milestones to generate charitable pledges. It highlights a growing trend of tying corporate social responsibility metrics directly to community event participation.
Local residents and attendees of the festival can support the initiative by cheering for participants like Detective Rutherford during the event. The funding generated directly supports the financial stability and educational opportunities of Baltimore police families.
The takeaway
Charity-focused athletic participation offers a unique way for individuals to raise awareness and funds for local causes. By tying physical performance to financial outcomes, participants can significantly amplify the impact of their personal fitness goals.
Further reading
Learn more about local support efforts in the Baltimore Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBAL.
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