'Roller Coaster Race' Coming to Six Flags America Will Award Cash Prizes

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — A huge "Roller Coaster Race" will be winding its way through the Six Flags America theme park in a couple weeks, and if you're bold enough to enter, you might win a cash prize. The 5K and 10K races, which take place Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m., will go through the theme park, past roller coasters and Fright Fest decor, and into the backstage areas, according to a statement from the park.

In addition, the Roller Coaster Ride at noon on that date will allow people the opportunity to ride the 5K distance along the tracks of nine roller coasters at Six Flags America.

Cash prizes are awarded to top finishers in the 10K race, according to the statement. The race will feature 2016 Olympic Marathoner Makorobondo Salukombo from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The race will benefit charities, including the D.C.-based SYTA Foundation for Youth and the National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives.

You can register the race starting now and ending Oct. 11. Click here to register.

"Participants may opt to run, ride, or both!" the statement notes. "Participants will receive a free entry to the theme park valid on October 16 and free parking; themed t-shirts (tech shirts for racers, cotton for riders, both if they register for both events), and finisher medals for all events for which they register."

Image via Six Flags America