Western Maryland Rail Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K

Registration

Registration for the 2025 race will open in winter 2025.

 

early registration prices are $45 for the 10K, $60 for the half marathon, and $75 for the marathon. Starting July 3rd, registration prices will be $55 for the 10K, $70 for the half marathon, and $85 for the marathon. On 9/1 registration fees will increase to $60 for the 10K, $80 for the half marathon, and $90 for the marathon. Online registration ends Friday October 17th at 4:00PM.

For those who prefer not to click on internet links the race registration page is located at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=93588

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Race Location/Info

The race takes place on the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT). The start/finish is located on the Western Maryland Rail Trail just north of the C&O Bicycle Shop at 9 S Pennsylvania Ave Hancock, MD 21750.

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Packet Pickup

Race day packet pickup will commence at 6:45 AM at the race start/finish.

The Saturday night pre-race packet pickup will take place from 4:30PM-6:00PM at the awesome Buddy Lou’s restaurant at 11 East Main St in Hancock.

 

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Parking

There are two parking lots located near the start/finish. One block east of the start/finish is the closest parking lot which is located just south of the WMRT between Williams St and Taney St S. A second lot is another block east located just south of the intersection of East Main Street and Church St. There is also free Sunday street parking on Main Street and a couple smaller lots in the start area.

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Directions

Hancock is located at the intersection of I-68, I-70, and U.S. 522.

Use this link to obtain directions to the parking lot one block east of the start/finish.

 

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Travel

Use this link to see all the airports close to Hancock, MD. Info on the closest major airports follow: Dulles is 91 miles from Hancock, and BWI is 102 miles from Hancock.

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Hotels

There are two hotels located a half mile from the start. The Super 8 is located at 118 Limestone Rd, Hancock, MD and the America’s Best Value Inn is located at 2 Blue Hill Rd, Hancock, MD 21750.

There are two bed and breakfasts in Hancock within walking distance to the race start/finish. The 1828 Trail Inn is located at 10 West Main Street Hancock, MD 21750. Room and contact info is at www.1828-trail-inn.com. The Riverrun Bed and Breakfast is located at 7 Taney Street S. Hancock, MD 21750. Room and contact info is at www.riverrunbnb.com.

The Clear Spring Holiday Inn Express is 15 minutes from the race start at 12426 Houck Avenue Clear Spring, MD 21722; head over to holidayinnexpress.com.

Another hotel option which is 30 minutes from the race start: Holiday Inn Express located at 241 Railway Lane Hagerstown, MD 21740. This hotel is located 30 minutes from the race start/finish.

There are two more bed and breakfast options located ten minutes from the race start/finish. The Highlawn Inn is located at 171 Market Street Berkeley Springs, WV 25411. Room and contact info is at www.highlawninn.com. The Manor Inn Bed and Breakfast is located at 234 Fairfax Street Berkeley Springs, WV 25411. Room and contact info is at www.bathmanorinn.com.

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Course Info

Marathon and Half Course: Runners head southwest on the fantastic Western Maryland Rail Trail for 6.56 miles before turning around to head northeast back to the start/finish. Half marathon runners will cross the finish line at Pennsylvania Avenue to complete their race. Marathon runners will turn around at Pennsylvania Avenue and complete another out and back on the course to finish the marathon. There is approximately 558 feet of elevation gain and loss in the half marathon and 1116 feet of gain and loss in the marathon. The course map and elevation profile can be viewed at http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1480659466.

10K Course: Runners head southwest on the fantastic Western Maryland Rail Trail for 5K before turning around to head northeast back to the start/finish. The 10K has approximately 120 feet of elevation gain and loss. The 10K course map and elevation profile can be viewed at https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2325230665

Additional photos of the trail can be seen at http://www.westernmarylandrailtrail.org/WMRT/slides/index.html.

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Course Map/Map Link

The marathon and half marathon course map and elevation profile can be viewed at http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1480659466.

The 10K course map and elevation profile is at https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2325230665

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Volunteer

If you would like to be a race volunteer please contact Frank at altisendurancesports@gmail.com. Volunteers earn free race entries for themselves (or to donate to a friend/relative) in any Altis Endurance race and/or donations to a favorite charity/non-profit organization.

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Awards

All finishers receive a quality finishers award. There are no age group awards or first finisher awards. An image of the 2022 award is pictured at the top of the page.

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Proceeds

Great thanks again to all the Hancock High School student athletes for taking great care of WMRT runners since 2015.

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Weather

Historical average high and low temperatures in Hancock, MD on October 19th are 64 and 42 degrees.

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Results

The 2022 marathon results are linked here, the 2021 half marathon results are linked here, and the 2021 10K results are linked here.

The 2021 marathon results are linked here, the 2021 half marathon results are linked here, and the 2021 10K results are linked here.

2020 – COVD-19 cancellation – no race conducted.

The 2019 marathon results are linked here, the 2019 half marathon results are linked here, and the 2019 10K results are linked here.

The 2018 marathon results are linked here, and the 2017 half marathon results are linked here.

The 2017 marathon results are linked here, and the 2017 half marathon results are linked here.

The 2016 marathon results are linked here, and the 2016 half marathon results are linked here.

The 2015 marathon results are linked here, and the 2015 half marathon results are linked here. The 2014 marathon results are linked here, and the 2014 half marathon results are linked here.

Thanks to the great photographers Ted and Leo all the photos taken at the finish of the 2017 Western Maryland Rail Trail can be found at the Hancock Parks and Recreation Facebook album at  https://www.facebook.com/pg/HancockParksandRecreation/photos/?tab=album&album_id=42322121801099

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Aid Stations

Aid stations for the half marathon are located at miles 2.0, 3.1, 5.5, 6.6, 7.7, 10.0, and 11.1.

Aid stations for the marathon are located at miles 2.0, 3.1, 5.5, 6.6, 7.7, 10.0, 11.1, 13.1, 15.1, 16.2, 18.6, 19.7, 20.8, 23.1, and 24.2.

Port-o-lets are located at 2.0, 5.5, 7.7, 11.1, 13.1, 15.1, 18.6, 20.8, and 24.2

The usual ultra and trail race food will be provided at the aid stations, ie. cookies, chips, water, candy, and Gatorade. The race does not provide any energy gels or electrolytes at the aid stations. It is recommended that runners bring their own energy gels and electrolytes if needed/desired. Cups are provided at the aid stations. Runners who carry a water bottle can get their bottle refilled as desired.

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Cutoffs

Runners have seven hours to complete the marathon and six and half hours to complete the half marathon.

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Swag

A great race shirt will be provided to entrants. The plan for 2023 is to provide performance shirts. All finishers will receive the finisher medal pictured at the top of this webpage.

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Refunds/Transfers/Miscellaneous

As is the case with most races, there will be no refunds of entry fees to entrants. Transfers of race bibs from one runner to another is also not allowed. This event is limited to 225 entrants.

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Questions

If you have any questions please contact Frank at altisendurancesports@gmail.com.

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