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The North Central Rail Trail Marathon is an out and back course primarily along the Northern Central Railroad Trail. The start is at historic Oldfields School and will go downhill on Glencoe Road approximately 0.8 miles to the NCR trail where it will turn right onto the trail and will go out and back along the NCR Trail. Runners will finish on the NCR Trail.
The NCR Trail is comprised of packed dirt and limestone.
How does the North Central Rail Trail Marathon Rank?
The North Central Rail Trail Marathon was the 190th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 174th largest in 2022.
Last year 20.5% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 14.2% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the North Central Rail Trail Marathon the 49th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 103rd highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 99.41 ranks it as the 115th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 2nd 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 North Central Rail Trail Marathon a PR Score of 99.41. This PR Score ranks it as the 80th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 1st fastest in Maryland.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
North Central Rail Trail Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 589 feet (179m) Min Elevation: 258 feet (78m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the North Central Rail Trail Marathon
View available accomodations around the North Central Rail Trail 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 North Central Rail Trail Marathon in 4:59:00, what would your time in other marathons be?
See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses with our time conversion tool.
AMT's review of 2022 North Central Rail Trail Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
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.
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.
CB's review of 2018 North Central Rail Trail Marathon.
3 /
5 Stars
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.
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.
BA's review of 2018 North Central Rail Trail Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
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.
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
KS's review of 2016 North Central Rail Trail Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
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.
HWB's review of 2016 North Central Rail Trail Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
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.
4.2 Stars from 5 Reviews
