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The B & A Trail course is mostly flat and can be a good course to PR on or qualify for the Boston Marathon (BQ).
The course is an out-and-back on mostly on a rails to trails path. The first mile of the marathon course is on residential streets and the remainder is on the B & A Trail which is an asphalt bike and running path. The course is on gentle railroad grade and only has one moderate hill at mile seven.
The typical race day temperature is conducive for fast marathon times. However, it is early Spring or late Winter (depending on the race date) in the northern Mid-Atlantic, so snow or very chilly weather is possible.
The B and A Marathon was the 202nd largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 205th largest in 2023.
This year 11.5% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 22% of runners qualified for Boston in 2024.
This gives the B and A Marathon the 44th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 40th highest percentage so far in 2025.
Its Course Score of 98.75 ranks it as the 249th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th 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 B and A Marathon a PR Score of 98.75. This PR Score ranks it as the 192nd fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 5th fastest in Maryland.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
B and A Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 128 feet (39m) Min Elevation: 28 feet (8m)
Course updated 02/11/2023
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the B and A Marathon
View available accomodations around the B and A Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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This feels like a race that is set up for 300 people but now has almost 1,000 running it. The first part of the course is too narrow for that many and it got crowded, particularly after the first turnaround. I hate to criticize the volunteers because they're so important but multiple water stops had volunteers just not paying attention. The water stops were also not big enough for the size of the event. The trail is open to non-participants and it's not super awesome when a group of cyclists flying by you at mile 22, plus the walkers and just people enjoying their day. The hill at mile 6 is no joke, about 100 ft of elevation gain in half a mile. Almost no crowd which is expected for this sort of race.
Most of those negatives are certainly advertised in advance; just hard to see how bad they were until you go through it. Oh well.
The course is fine. There's not much to look at but the trees and trail are pretty beautiful. Getting to wait for the start inside is a huge plus. Ample, easy parking.
I enjoyed it but probably wouldn't run it again.
Great local race put on by runners for runners. Fast course. Lots of aid stations. Plenty of food at the finish.
Race Tips
Make sure you're mentally prepared for the second half. The full marathon field is small. There is a high likelihood you will be alone for the majority of the miles from 12.75-26.2.
Very nice small (400 full, 600 half) race. Race day packet pick-up at a high school where you can stay warm and use real toilets. Free massages afterward and you can use the schools showers. In 2012 they gave track pants rather than a T-Shirt. Good quality too!
Race Tips
The course is about 2 miles on the roads to thin out the crowds then entirely on a paved bike path. The scenery is pleasent but unchanging. No hills to speak of, only gradual inclines. Plenty of water stops. The race is two out and backs so that can be mentally tough. No spectators but that's to be expected on a race of this size.
I drove down from PA on race day so I can't comment on local ammenities but you're not far from Annapolis so I'm sure folks could find hotels and restaurants, etc.
4 Stars from 3 Reviews
