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Big Elk Marathon

Elkton, MD
TBD



 

Description: Baltimore Marathon

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.

Description: Big Elk Marathon

The Big Elk Marathon course starts by the fairground recreation and runs on the road before reaching the trail section.

The course has a variety of terrain,including single track, double track, gravel road/DNR fire roads, bridge crossing, XC field crossings, and a creek crossings.


Race Dates

2025: TBD
2024: Saturday, October 19, 2024

Course Information

Profile: Hilly
Type: Mostly Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Certified (Boston Qualifier): Yes

PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 97.72
Course Score: 97.72

Race Day Weather

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


Race Size

2024: 1,633 Finishers
2023: 1,503 Finishers
2022: 1,536 Finishers
2021: 1,485 Finishers
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2024: 4.2%
2023: 6.5%
2022: 7.2%
2021: 4%
2020: No Results

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes




Race Dates

2024: TBD
2023: TBD

Course Information

Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Multiple Loops
Surface: Trail
Certified (Boston Qualifier): No

PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: None
Course Score: None

Race Day Weather

Mean Temperature: 72°F (22°C)
Average High: 83°F (28°C)
Average Low: 61°F2 (16°C2)


Race Size

2024: No Results
2023: No Results
2022: No Results
2021: No Results
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2024: N/A
2023: N/A
2022: N/A
2021: No Results
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No




Marathon Rankings:
Baltimore Marathon

The Baltimore Marathon was the 45th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 36th largest in 2022.

This year 4.16% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 6.45% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.

This gives the Baltimore Marathon the 282nd highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 297th highest percentage so far in 2024.


Its Course Score of 97.72 ranks it as the 339th 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 Baltimore Marathon a PR Score of 97.72. This PR Score ranks it as the 285th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 5th fastest in Maryland.

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

Marathon Rankings:
Big Elk Marathon

Rankings will be listed once the results for 2023 have been posted (if the races were not cancelled).


 


Elevation Chart: Baltimore Marathon

Max Elevation: 345 feet (105m)Elevation Gain: 977 feet (297m)
Min Elevation: 2 feet (0m)Elevation Loss: 985 feet (300m)

Baltimore

Elevation Chart: Big Elk Marathon

 No course elevation available at this time.





Finish Time Equivalent


If you ran the Baltimore Marathon in 4:42:00, the equivalent finish time for the New York City Marathon would be 4:39:59.

See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses using the Marathon Time Converter Tool.


Marathon Pace Bands

See what splits you need to run for the Baltimore Marathon or hundreds of other marathons, adjusted for the specific terrain of each marathon and your goal time, and pacing strategies.

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Race Reviews

Baltimore Marathon
(4.5)




Anonymous's review of 2024 race.   


Review

I was excited to run this marathon, and I was generally left somewhat disappointed.
Where it is true that the support can be great, I found it was mostly found in the second half , while in until mile 13, it's quite spotty.
The event itself, while it attracts a very large crowd, still feels pretty small. The expo is extremely underwhelming, very quiet and with just a few general vendors and very few sponsors.
Water stations were great until we merged with the half marathon runners. After that, there were lines of people at most water station, or stations where the volunteers were pouring cups for each runner as you approached, in general this aspect should definitely be improved by the organizers.

Coolest part of the race is by far the marathon.

Race Tips


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


WH's review of 2023 race.   


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 race.   


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 race.   


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 race.   


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.)




Read more Baltimore Marathon Reviews

Big Elk Marathon
None









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