South Baltimore and SoWeBo

These two large areas of Baltimore City, comprising more than 25 distinct neighborhoods south and west of downtown and the Inner Harbor, are filled with contemporary and historic landmarks, unique housing stock, neighborhood parks, local businesses, entertainment, and major sports venues. Furthermore, the area includes Maryland’s largest coastal resilience initiative, dedicated to restoring 50+ acres of habitat, improving water quality, and improving public access along 11 miles of Shoreline. South Baltimore and Sowebo are home to SBGP and SSFA, respectively.

The collaboration by these two leading community organizations offers more than simply a new race. It is a merger of purpose, place, and possibility. The introduction of a new course—expanding into South Baltimore and the Middle Branch—invites participants to experience the city in a new way. Runners will move through areas shaped by intentional redevelopment and investment, showcasing the evolving landscape of Baltimore, and help promote a goal of the race, to unite neighbors, families, and local resources and create active, healthy communities, and highlight historic landmarks and evolving vistas.

In 2016, South Baltimore Gateway Partnership (SBGP)* was established in to help implement the South Baltimore Gateway Master Plan, a sweeping plan to improve neighborhoods near the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, with funding provided by the Local Impact Grants generated by video lottery terminals. This funding, along with supplemental funds, is used to improve the vitality of the 17 communities within the SBGP District by focusing on three crucial elements: Community Development and Revitalization, Environmental Sustainability, and Health and Wellness.

Over the last 10 years, SBGP has partnered directly with the communities they serve to invest, develop, and support major projects such as the long-needed renovation of the Carroll Park Recreation Center in Pigtown, the monumental Black Sox Memorial project in Westport, and the state-of-the-art Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center in Cherry Hill.

In 2025, as a partner in the Reimagine Middle Branch initiative, SBGP completed the first two restored wetlands sites as part of the Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative (MBRI). SBGP is also a proud sponsor of many youth sports programs and last year was proud to support 10 partner organizations, totaling 3,800 youth participants.

For more information, visit: www.sbgpartnership.org.

*SBGP is not an agency of the City of Baltimore or the State of Maryland. It is governed by a Board of Directors comprised primarily of residents of the District and representatives of businesses located in the District.

Southwest Sports and Fitness Alliance (SSFA), located in Southwest Baltimore, nicknamed “Sowebo” by its residents, is located within the Poppleton community, one of seven neighborhoods less than two miles west of the Inner Harbor. Sowebo is home to Union Square, Franklin Square, Hollins-Roundhouse, Washington Village/Pigtown, Mount Clare, Poppleton and Barre Circle, seven distinct and vibrant neighborhoods connected by the Southwest Partnership. Within Sowebo’s boundaries, residents and visitors can find city gems such as the H.L. Mencken House, the B&O Museum, the Mount Claire Mansion Museum House, Carroll Park, Hollins Market, and much more.

2025 was a banner year for SSFA and included the reopening of the award-winning $3 million renovation of the Poppleton Recreation Center (PRC), the introduction of programming for all ages, hosting community events, and earning the appreciation of the city and community residents for what has been accomplished. SSFA also added after-school sports programs at 2 additional schools, bringing the total to seven sites. Baltimore’s newest aquatic center, adjacent to the PRC, will be open in 2026.

For more information, visit www.sportsfitnessalliance.org or go to the linktree at https://linktr.ee/southwestsportsfitnessalliance where you’ll find a wealth of news and program updates.