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Baltimore Marathon

Baltimore, MD
Saturday, October 19, 2024

  4.5 Stars from 26 Reviews

Description

The Baltimore Marathon course is a bit challenging with two relatively hilly to rolling sections connected by 6 miles of flat terrain.

The course travels through the many diverse neighborhoods including the scenic Inner Harbor waterfront area, historic Federal Hill and Fells Point. The route also travels through the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore right past the penguin exhibit.

Miles 16 through 20 of the course have been compared to Boston’s "Heartbreak Hill," but runners are rewarded with a loop around Lake Montebello providing runners with some relief and flat terrain. The final 5 miles are mostly downhill. Then it is back downtown to an inspiring finish through Camden Yards ballpark, home of the Baltimore Orioles. Runners finish on Raven’s Walk in the shadows of M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens.

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Race Information

Race Dates

2024: Saturday, October 19, 2024
2023: Saturday, October 14, 2023


Course Information

Profile: Hilly
Type: Mostly Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes


Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 55°F (12°C)
Average High: 67°F (19°C)
Average Low: 43° F (6°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 97.72
Course Score: 97.72


Race Size

2023: 1,503 Finishers
2022: 1,536 Finishers
2021: 1,485 Finishers
2020: No Results
2019: 1,755 Finishers
2018: 1,963 Finishers


BQ Percentages

2023: 6.5%
2022: 7.2%
2021: 4%
2020: N/A
2019: 4.7%
2018: 4.8%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes


Weather Averages for Last 12 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 67°F  (19°C)
Low: 51°F  (11°C)

Race Start Conditions

52°F  (11°C)
Humidity: 80%

Clear
E 4 mph

PR Score

44.71

Course Score

97.81



BBBB1729317600 --- 1711658384 ---- 204.38907407407 --- 2024-10-19 -- 2024 --- date_2024 --- 2024-10-19 --t- 10-19-2024


How does the Baltimore Marathon Rank?


The Baltimore Marathon was the 45th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 38th largest in 2022.

Last year 6.5% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 7.2% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.

This gives the Baltimore Marathon the 289th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 248th highest percentage in 2022.


Its Course Score of 97.72 ranks it as the 339th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 6th fastest course in Maryland.

The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Baltimore Marathon a PR Score of 97.72. This PR Score ranks it as the 285th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 6th fastest in Maryland.

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.


Baltimore Marathon Elevation Chart

Max Elevation: 345 feet (105m)
Min Elevation: 2 feet (0m)

Elevation Gain: 977 feet (297m)
Elevation Loss: 985 feet (300m)


Baltimore
Course updated 09/26/2023



Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the
Baltimore Marathon

View available accomodations around the Baltimore Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.


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How Fast Can You Go?


If you ran the Baltimore Marathon in 3:38:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses with our time conversion tool.




Recent Baltimore Marathon Reviews

4.5 Stars from 26 Reviews
View all Reviews





WH's review of 2023 Baltimore Marathon.   

3 / 5 Stars

Review

I ran the Baltimore Marathon for the first time in 2023. Its advantages are the volunteers, city and police support, and enthusiasm from residents. Disadvantages are many: road hazards, race congestion, overcrowded water stops on the course, and not enough restrooms at the start.


Race Tips

If you're focused on getting a personal best or if you don't want to be walled in by slower half-marathoners, this race isn't for you. As advertised, the course has lots of long, rolling uphills and these will cut into your time, and a few surprisingly steep downhills that may tire your quads.

At mile 14 or so the half marathon field merges with the marathon, which in 2023 was twice the size of the marathon field. Many roads are simply too narrow for this when runner numbers are at their peak, creating bottlenecks. As a result, you can't see large potholes or traffic cones placed along the center line until you're right upon them. Some metal dividers place along some stretches have supports jutting into the course at ankle level. If you're near the front or the back of the field you should be ok.


Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Plenty of free parking around the stadiums for the marathon. Don't count on a last-minute bathroom stop at the start. The few Camden Yards stadium bathrooms that were open were way too few.


CK's review of 2022 Baltimore Marathon.   

2 / 5 Stars

Review

It's hilly, good crowd support but the pacers were terrible! He was so fast-way faster than the pace should have been. I would think twice about doing this race.


Race Tips

Practice running on hills


Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)


ARW's review of 2018 Baltimore Marathon.   

3 / 5 Stars

Review

Experienced runner but this was my first marathon (also my hometown marathon). The thing I heard most often in the start area were other runners asking me somewhat incredulously "This is your first marathon?" I loved the first 15 miles. You get to see much of Baltimore -- both low and high income neighborhoods -- and everyone is out cheering on the runners. at around mile 14, the half joins up with the full and it gets a lot busier.


Race Tips

If I were to do this again I'd go out much slower at the beginning. Baltimore's harbor is a basin, and the race starts at the bottom. From there it climbs up for about 3 miles, and then about 6 miles are downhill to the flats around the harbor. Then, around mile 16, the climb back up the basin to Lake Montebello (a reservoir). Mile 20 in are rolling hills that really got me.


Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

This race should be called the "Baltimore Half-Marathon (with full marathon added)." Logistically it is confusing because there are so many start areas for all the different races. Just make sure you read the guide you get at the expo. If you're in the full you start first and it is not difficult to get your bag checked because there are so few runners.


NCS's review of 2017 Baltimore Marathon.   

5 / 5 Stars

Review

Very well organized race that even brings you through the Baltimore Zoo! Spectators throughout the course have tons of energy and volunteers provide you with plenty of nutrition.


Race Tips

Don't go out too fast. This course is hilly, but moreso in the second half of the race.


Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)


CB's review of 2017 Baltimore Marathon.   

4 / 5 Stars

Review

The course is hilly, but not impossibly so. I trained on much harder hills-however, the course changed this year and it ended in the Inner Harbor, and had a few trying if not small hills after Lake Montabello. The course was busy throughout due to the relay teams and their exchanges and the half marathoners joining in at mile 16. For a "small" marathon, it felt pretty crowded and I spent plenty of time and energy dodging people. The crowd is upbeat, and I enjoyed the experience despite the aforementioned things.


Race Tips

Save energy for the last push after mile 20. The roads are hilly and not perfectly smooth, so tread carefully. The beer tents had a long wait, and the inner harbor felt a bit crowded for me, if not festive. Easy to walk to food places.

Stay local and walk to the starts, due to high fees for parking and many road closures making cabs and rideshare less efficient. Each race has a different starting line and time.


Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

See above.