It’s time to look forward to New England Fall Marathons. For many people summer is too hot for running marathons, and many runners look forward to the more comfortable fall running season.

The fall crisp air is perfect for running. Sometimes we get rain and sometimes we get snow. It’s never perfect, but fall can be an enjoyable season to run marathons or any distance race.

New England Fall Marathons

Clarence Demar Marathon and Half-Marathon

Sunday, September 25th, 2016 – 8AM start time

Keene, NH

This is a race almost as legendary as the man. In Melrose we run by the monument to Clarence Demar on our winter running route and on many Sunday Long runs as well. Many runners in my club make it a point to touch the monument as they run by. This is a popular race with Melrose Running Club members.

This race encompasses an entire weekend if you want it to. You can drive up to Keene Friday night and pick up your bib at Ted’s Shoe & Sport on Main Street. Drive the course or go for a short run on Saturday. Saturday night there is a pasta dinner at the Courtyard Marriott.

On Sunday buses will take runners to the starting line. Marathon buses leave at 6:15, Half-Marathon buses start leaving at 6:30AM.

If you have never heard of Clarence Demar here is a brief bio.

The Clarence Demar Marathon is USATF Certified, a Boston Qualifier and a Runner’s Choice Award recipient from runnersgoal.com!

New Hampshire Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10K

Saturday, October 1st, 2016 – 9AM

Bristol, NH

This event features a Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10K, and Kid’s Marathon. Truly something for everyone. You may want to drive up Friday and enjoy the pasta dinner at 5:00pm at the Union Lodge, and get a good night’s sleep. This race takes place around Newfound Lake, and lodging options are listed on the race website.

The New Hampshire Marathon is a Runner’s Choice Award recipient from Runnersgoal.com! All three races are USATF Certified and the New Hampshire Marathon is a Boston Qualifier!

Cash prizes for the top finishers of all three races!

Viewtherace.com NH Marathon course video

NipMuck Trail Marathon and Relay

Sunday, October 2nd, 2016 – 8AM

Ashford, CT

The NipMuck Trail Marathon is a classic old-school trail race taking place along a northern section of the Nipmuck Trail. The race aims to preserve many of the qualities from the early days of the New England trail racing scene.

Now in it’s 33rd year this out and back double loop race is not for first timers. The race site warns of rough terrain and that in some areas an injured runner may wait an hour or more for medical assistance.

The relay is new for 2016 and is for teams of two only. You can also run a double marathon by running the Cat’s Tail Trail Marathon on Saturday and then the NipMuck on Sunday. Cat’s Tail registration is separate. They only accept 100 runners and you have to qualify to run!

Only 150 runners may register for NipMuck. Additional details and warnings are on the registration site. Registration is $45.

Maine Marathon Relay and Half-Marathon

Sunday, October 2nd, 2016 – 7:45AM

Portland, Maine

Registration is $90 for the Marathon, $65 for The Half and $160 for the Marathon Relay. The combined races are capped at 3,500 runners. Registration closes when that number is met or September 27th, which ever comes first. So don’t wait!

Both races are USATF Certified, the marathon is a Boston Qualifier and has some nice prize money!

Viewtherace.com Maine Marathon course video

Hartford Marathon, Half-Marathon & 5K

Saturday, October 8th, 2016 – 8AM

Hartford, CT

I ran this marathon in 2012 and had a great and very eventful experience. The race is very well-organized with lots of community and spectator support. They have some very cool features as well.

The Hartford Marathon is a Boston Qualifier.

Hartford offers a “Pre Perks Package” that will make you feel like an elite runner. For $65 you get:

a VIP heated , indoor space with access to real toilets
Race packet and shirt mailed to you
Race Day VIP Parking
Personal baggage check
Option to personalize your bib

They limit this to 500 runners, click the link for details.

All three races start at 8AM. The kids fun run, HMF FitKids Run starts at 9:30AM.

Registration is $115 for the Marathon, $80 for the Half and $35 for the 5K. Prices increase on September 30th and there is no race day registration. They charge $15 to mail your packet and strongly encourage you to visit the Expo Friday to pick up your packet and visit all the cool vendor booths. There is no race day packet pickup.

Check the registration page for relay team and youth prices.

The HMF FitKids Run is $10.

Check out this info graphic on the HMF sustainability efforts. Some really cool stuff here that more races should be doing.

Viewtherace.com Hartford Marathon course video.

Newport Marathon & Half

Sunday, October 9th, 2016 – 7:30AM

Newport, RI

Race along the ocean and help support six local charities.

These races are USATF Certified and the marathon is a Boston Qualifier.

Shuttle service to the start begins at 5AM. FREE PHOTOS and bag check will be available.

Registration is $95 for the Marathon and $75 for the Half-Marathon. Race Day registration begins at 5:15AM!

Joe English Twilight Challenge

Saturday, Octoberber 15th, 2016 – 6 Hour Ultra, Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Relay

Freestyle Farm, 188 Mack Hill Road, Amherst, New Hampshire

The Joe English Twilight Challenge is an evening/night trail run hosted by Freestyle Farm in Amherst, NH. The event consists of a marathon, a half-marathon and a 6-hour ultra-marathon. The marathon and half-marathon may be run individually or by relay teams. The relay teams (half or full marathon) consist of 2 or 5 runners completing either 5 or 10 laps on a 2.62-mile loop beginning at 7:00 p.m. The 6-hour ultra-marathon begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. Ultra participants run the 2.62-mile loop continuously for 6 hours.

Most of the race will be run at night on the groomed equestrian trails at Freestyle Farm.

The event is expected to draw 350 runners ranging from casual athletes to experienced ultra-runners. The event is set within a unique venue with high quality trails around a 50-acre pond. The course will be marked with fluorescent light sticks, ground flags and signal fires.

Registration is $35 and $45 day of the race. That’s a great price for a half marathon, or run a 6-hour ultra and see how many miles you can do.

All proceeds benefit the Amherst Land Trust.

This race is USATF Sanctioned and part of The Trail Runner Trophy Series.

 

 

Ocean State Rhode Races

Sunday, October 30th, 2016 – 7:30AM

Narragansett, RI

The Marathon starts at 7:30AM, Half at 8AM and the 5K at 8:15AM. These races feature FREE PHOTOS and a secured bag check at the start.

Registration is still open and is $100 for the Marathon, $75 for the Half and $35 for the 5K.

The Marathon is a Boston Qualifier. The Ocean State Rhode Races Half is the final stop of the Rhode Race Series, a four stop series of Rhode Island Half Marathons.

Green Mountain Marathon & Half

Sunday, October 9th, 2016 – 8:30AM

South Hero, VT

The certified (VT15006JK and VT15005JK) marathon and half-marathon begin and end near the house where Clarence H. Demar, 7 time Boston Marathon Winner, once lived.

It is out and back on the west shore of South Hero and Grand Isle; a land of farms, apple orchards and summer cottages. The terrain is flat to rolling and about half dirt road (hard packed and well maintained). The half marathon course is an out and back that finishes at the Folsom School (same as the full marathon).

Infinite Pasta-bilities Dinner is Saturday night at Folsom School, 4 – 7PM.

This is a race for runners by runners and has a reasonable registration fee of $55 for the marathon and $35 for the Half. Field is limited to 750 runners.

This is a great destination race for GBA runners.

Baystate Marathon & Half Marathon

Sunday, October 16th, 2015 – 8AM

Lowell, MA

This marathon always sells out. Registration is still open for both races with only marathon 500 spots and 1,000 half spots left as of this writing.

If you are looking to qualify for Boston, this is a good choice. The race is mostly flat with the bridges over the Merrimack having the most elevation gain. Part of the course is a double loop, so it can be challenging to see the “Mile 22” sign when you are at Mile 12 and starting to feel it.

This is a well supported race with local high schools competing to have the best water stop! There is plenty of parking at the Tsongas Arena garage.

This is a favorite race for many GBA runners.

Viewtherace.com Baystate Marathon course video

Mount Desert Marathon, Half and Relay

Sunday, October 16th, 2016 – 8AM – Marathon and Marathon Relay,
Half begins at 8:30 in Northeast Harbor

Bar Harbor, ME

Named ‘Most Scenic & runner-up Best Overall Marathon’ by Runner’s World

New England Runner Magazine’s Race of the Year!

This popular race begins in Bar harbor, hits the half-way mark near Northeast Harbor and ends in Southwest Harbor. MDI has some of the most beautiful scenery and you will get to take it all in at the perfect pace.

As of this writing both races are sold out!

Cape Cod Marathon

Sunday, October 30th, 2015 – 8:30AM

Falmouth, MA

The one-loop course begins and ends at the Village Green in Falmouth center. The first part is easy, the latter is a test. The people who do well on this course follow the following formula: go out easy, take plenty of fluids, and save energy for the hills. Although the course is not closed to traffic, it is run on secondary roads and monitored by the police and numerous volunteers.

Registration is $90 and limited to 1,200 runners.

Cape Cod Marathon and Half

Saturday October 29th – 7:30AM

The Cape Cod Marathon Half race course is a fast and scenic route that hugs the Falmouth coastline of Nantucket Sound. Designed to maximize runners’ view of Martha’s Vineyard and the beautiful waters of Nantucket Sound this out and back course is limited to one hill. But don’t be alarmed this one hill occurs at miles 3.5 and 9.75 and is over before you know it.

Registration is $80.00 and limited to 1,700 runners. No Race-Day registration.

Clam Chowdah Challenge

Why not make a weekend on The Cape out of it and run both the Half Marathon on Saturday and the Marathon on Sunday?

For $175, 200 lucky runners will get to face the ultimate challenge and go for the Clam Chowdah Challenge mug. There is no race day registration for this event either.

Registration for the Clam Chowder Challenge is 50% full as of September 10th.

All finishers of the Clam Chowdah Challenge will receive a chowdah bowl and “medal” spoon, medals for both races and a race shirt.

LOCO Marathon and Half

Sunday, October 23rd, 2016 – 8AM

Newmarket, NH

The LOCO half and full Marathon is a spectacular 13.1 mile loop course run completely on tree-lined rural roads. It travels through four local coastal towns: Newmarket, Lee, Epping and Newfields New Hampshire.

Not only is a scenic course, it is designed to be fast and easy. Half marathoners run one loop. Marathoners run a second loop. For the past two years over 32% on average of marathoners qualified for the Boston Marathon.

The Marathon is a double loop of the Half-Marathon. It’s all country roads and 3 miles of rail trail.

This is a runner’s race. The finish time cut-off for 59 years and under is 4:30. For 60 and older it is 5 hours even.

Most marathons have a 6 hour cut-off time. If you are running to see the foliage, you may want to pick another race. If marathon runners cannot make the half-way mark by 2:15 or 2:30 for 60+ years, you will be pulled from the course!

Oh, and marathon runners MUST bring photo. So no faking 60+ to get the extra 30 minutes to finish the race!

Cut-off time for the Half-Marathon is 2:30.

This USATF Certified marathon is a Boston Qualifier. The half is also USATF certified and combined registration is limited to 1,000 runners.

This race is a Runner’s Choice award recipient from runnersgoal.com

Manchester City Marathon, Half, Relays & 5K

Sunday, November 6th, 2016 – 8:50 – 9AM for the 5K

Manchester, NH

Now in its 10th year, Manchester is the Marathon Championship for the 2016 USATF-New England Grand Prix. Obviously USATF Certified and a Boston Qualifier.

The web site describes the race as hilly, challenging and scenic. Many friends have run this race and only had good things to say about their experience.

On-Line Registration is $85 for the Marathon, $75 for the Half, $180 for the Marathon Relay and $90 for the Half Relay. The 5K is $30. Race day registration begins at 7AM and is $110 – marathon, $100 – half. Check site for relay and 5K race day registration rates.

Free race photos will be available

Viewtherace.com Manchester City Marathon course video

Have you picked a fall marathon yet? I’m only running half marathons this fall. Writing this post makes me want to sign up for a few marathons!

Run well my friends!

Andy