Celebrate the 217th birthday of Portland, Maine's No. 1 bard, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, with an in-person 2.5K run or 2.5K walk on our scenic route on Congress St., Portland, Maine, or take the plunge for our one-of-a-kind virtual 2.5K swim* (or sign up for both!) in support of Kindling Collective.NOTE: for the second year in a row, we have a new Start/Finish line, see below. Our in-person 2.5K event will take place Sunday, February 18, 2024. The virtual 2.5K swim may be completed any time before and including February 18, 2024, but virtual results cannot be reported until race day, February 18, 2024, between 9AM and 11:59PM. Awards: For runners and walkers: New Running Shoes from Fleet Feet Maine Running Company to two participants chosen at random from reported finishers; My First Race Award (participants 10 and under); Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Canine Look-Alike Award; Victorian Winter Running Attire Award (a vintage clothing favorite); cash prizes for course record M/F/NB; 1st and 2nd M/F/NB in 10-year groups; plus special prizes for completing all three events, in-person and virtual 2.5K run or walk and virtual 2.5K swim. For swimmers: a trophy plaque to the male and female participant with overall fastest 2.5K swim times.* Sign up for the in-person 2.5K run/walk or the virtual 2.5K swim, or both! Get friends or family together and create a team! This is the 13th running of Longfellow Frostbite 2.5K, a legacy race of Maine Track Club. MTC Longfellow Frostbite 2.5K is an event in the 2024 Maine Track Club Grand Prix Series.

Raceday registration and bib pick-up 7am—8:45am, Sunday, February 18, 2024, Equality Community Center, 15 Casco St., Portland, Maine.

Awards ceremony and other post-race activities 10am, Sunday, February 18, 2024, Equality Community Center, 15 Casco St., Portland, Maine.

NEW START/FINISH LINE: the new Start/Finish Line is located at the intersection of Congress and Casco Streets, opposite the entrance of Maine College of Art. Participants will proceed from the Start west on Congress St., always using the righthand lane, to Longfellow Square (intersection of Congress and State), turn around, proceed east down Congress to the intersection of Congress and Franklin, turn around, and complete the race west on Congress back up to the Start/Finish Line at Congress and Casco.

Race-day Parking, Sunday, February 18, 2024: It's easy to find parking on neighboring streets on a Sunday morning—street parking in downtown Portland is free on Sundays. Park anywhere in the area, but not on Congress St..

* 54.5 laps in a 25-yard pool, or 50 laps in a 25-meter pool, or 2.5K open water documented as one continuous swim by a smart watch record or as timed by a lifeguard or race-approved swimming coach.