The course starts and finishes at the same location, the Mullen-Hall School on Katherine Lee Bates Rd. which is situated at about an elevation of 7 feet above sea level. This results in a net elevation gain/loss of zero.
From the start to about Mile 3 you will enjoy a very flat course. From Mile 3 to Mile 6 you will run a mixture of flat to rolling hills along the famous Falmouth Road Race course, in the reverse direction, passing the iconic Nobska Lighthouse along the way. On this section of the course you will pass the highest elevation of 52 feet. The remainder of the course is flat with the exception of a short hill at Mile 12 that rises to an elevation of about 30 feet. You will encounter this hill again at Mile 23.4 as you run back on this out-and-back section of the course.
The Cape Cod Marathon was the 83rd largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 75th largest in 2022.
This year 7% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 17.4% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Cape Cod Marathon the 73rd highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 215th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.07 ranks it as the 187th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 6th fastest course in Massachusetts.
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 Cape Cod Marathon a PR Score of 99.07. This PR Score ranks it as the 136th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 3rd fastest in Massachusetts.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Cape Cod Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 52 feet (15m) Min Elevation: 3 feet (0m)
This is "smaller" race that feels like a major marathon. The staff and volunteers are SO KIND and the entire town comes out to cheer which means there are spectators ALL along the course. This is the best race for getting that small town charm while also feeling like a star pro athlete. The start is easy to ge to and low-key, no stress. Plenty of bathrooms at the start/finish and along the course, and great aid stations at least every 2 miles, the staff is very excited to have you running with them!
Race Tips
The start is easy to ge to and low-key, no stress. Plenty of bathrooms at the start/finish and along the course, and great aid stations at least every 2 miles, the staff is very excited to have you running with them!
Arrive 30 min early and can park on site, stay after for the chowdah and apple cider donuts
Jeremy's review of 2018 Cape Cod Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Loved this race. The course takes you along the coast, through the coastal neighborhoods, through the cranberry farms and the Cape Cods woods. It winds down into scenic Woods Hole and then back out to the coast. You get to see a lot of the sights of Cape Cod in one run. On top of that, they did a great job making this race unique to the area. At the finish line you get cranberry juice and clam chowder and a medal that signifies the Cape Cod coast. The race starts and stops in downtown Falmouth, which is quaint and scenic in itself, with plenty of great restaurants to reward yourself.
Apparently they are changing the course for next year to make it faster and more scenic. Well, this course was fairly hilly, particularly in the latter miles. But I liked it that way. I thought it was representative of the area. We'll see, because I'll make the trip back for next year. The race and the people won me over.
Race Tips
No race tips to give. The course will change next year. I recommend staying at the Inn on the Sound. Short drive to the start, right on the coast, and very comfortable and hospitable. If you do, I May see you there!
A mid-sized race (1000 finishers). You can stay warm before the race in a high school gym but arrive early because the school does not have enough parking. Run through pretty Cape Cod towns w/ lots of ocean views and wooded scenery. Water stops are only every 3 miles. I brought a bottle so I could fill up esp during the later miles. Nice expo and volunteers. Cotton long sleeve shirt.
Race Tips
The early miles are flat but then you get a steady stream of rollers that can take a collective toll. Toughest hill is around mile 21. The roads are all open to traffic (even the crowded early miles) and there seemed to be plenty of annoyed drivers.
