North Central Rail Trail Marathon Reviews

  They have port-a-pots!

By AMT about 2022

Review

There was a time when that wasn't the case. You will be DQed if you "whip it out" on the grounds.

The race begins at a private girls' school. Runners have access to the gym, but NOT the indoor plumbing (and there are guards).

It's a steep, mostly downhill trek to the actual NCR Rail Trail. The road from the girls' school to same can get crowded easily and thus dangerous...just hold back until you're on the trail. The trail itself is going to b crowded for a while before things thin out.

Very slight incline out, very slight decline back. You don't have to run back to the school; shuttle buses run a constant circuit between the finish line on the trail and the school itself.

WARM FOOD IN THE GYM AFTER! It's like heaven in a bowl.

Race Tips

If you're doing the marathon, you are sharing space with the half-marathoners, who start later. They get in the way at the school. Do NOT punch them. That's frowned upon.

Just stay frosty on that first net downhill on the road. Cut loose once you hit the trail. It bears repeating.

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

CARPOOL. If you have four people in a vehicle, you can park at the school; otherwise, you need to take a shuttle from nearby parking areas.

Portables are at the top of the switchbacks on the campus. It's a pain to go from the gym to there...it builds character.

  Well organized, nice swag, scenic rail trail

By BA about 2018

Review

Well organized. Better parking for groups of 3 or 4 (walk to school gymnasium) or satellite parking lot with bus service; stay warm in gym until marathon (8:30) or half (9:00). Great bag drop - bring your own bag of any type (backpack and gym bags fine) and bring change of clothes (although no changing facilities in gym)). Ample portable toilets on hill behind gym. Food truck at finish, but too cold and wet to check it out. Nice medal and finisher's blanket at end and good quarter zip race shirt too. You won't see the half marathon runners unless they are walkers. Enough runners to be near someone if you want, but not feel crowded. All in all, a well-run race that would be great on a crisp fall day.

Race Tips

Downhill start for 0.8 miles (try to hold back, but it's hard), then packed limestone/rock trail with gradual incline out and decline back. Usually has two clear tracks so look ahead and stay on the inside track. Water stops are 2-3.5 miles apart - would help to have sign at water stop saying when next one is, but best to bring own bottle too.

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

Car pool (3 for lot near start and 4 for lot at start) to avoid buses. Arrive at satellite early and then gym has chairs set up

  Flat but uneven gravel surface, crowded for a Rail Trail marathon

By CB about 2018

Review

The race volunteers and organizers are really wonderful people. Everyone on the course was extraordinarily helpful and kind. The first mile is a downhill and the rest was a slight incline or decline as rail trails are. The trail was fairly narrow and a little crowded. The swag including the medal does not differentiate between the marathon and half marathon, if you care about that. There were 320 persons running the full and almost double for the half. Good separation between the two. It was cold-35 degrees with rain around noon. Late start times, 8:30 and 9:00 am. Prepare for hot or cold weather, November varies from year to year. Nowhere to change out of cold and wet clothes except port a potties. I'd probably not do this race again, but if you like gravel rail trails the scenery is beautiful, and the staff were amazing.

Race Tips

Train on trails and gravel, fairly flat surfaces.

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

If you have 4 persons in a car you can get prime parking. No running water or flush toilets at the private girl's boarding school the race starts at. You can stop at Monkton on the NCR trail for proper bathrooms.

  

By HWB about 2016

Review

Great run! It's mostly alongside a river on an old railroad bed, so a nice wide, flat trail. Support is good, small but very friendly. I've run it twice. Loved everything!

Race Tips

There is an on-road portion at the beginning and end of the marathon, kind of hilly. The rest is flat, on dirt and crushed gravel.

  

By KS about 2016

Review

Smallish (500 or so) marathon put on by the Baltimore Road Runners Club for over a quarter century in Sparks, MD at Sparks Elementary School. School provides a nice warm environment until race begins and serves as the post-race headquarters. Unique awards and hand-written finisher certificates add a nice touch. Very nice giveaway item (sweatshirt, fleece pullover, etc.) Pretty flat out and back course run through pretty countryside on a historic rails-to-trails path. Tough hill near the end so prepare to work over the last couple of miles. Very well organized.