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North Central Rail Trail Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Sparks, MD, USA
- Race Date: 11/28/2026
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
North Central Rail Trail Marathon Description
The North Central Rail Trail Marathon is a net-downhill, Boston qualifying race along the scenic Torrey C. Brown Trail in Sparks, Maryland. The out-and-back course follows a crushed limestone surface alongside Big Gunpowder Falls through peaceful wooded terrain, offering a softer surface than pavement and a tranquil, traffic-free setting. Held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, this race organized by the Baltimore Road Runners Club is a low-key, scenic option for runners chasing a Boston Qualifying time in the crisp late-fall air.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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North Central Rail Trail Marathon Additional Details:
After crossing the finish at Glencoe Road, runners wrap up in a finisher’s blanket, collect their medal, and catch a short shuttle ride to the post-race party inside the renovated Oldfields Gymnasium, a genuinely cozy way to wrap up a late-November race. Top finishers in each age group receive awards designed around the old Northern Central Railway’s heritage, a nod to the historic rail corridor the course follows. As Baltimore’s oldest continuously running USATF-certified marathon, this race has built a loyal following among locals who return year after year for the same forgiving crushed-limestone surface and low-key, community feel. It’s a small race that treats its own history as part of the appeal.
Course Information
Profile: Downhill
Type: Out and Back
Surface: Mostly Trails
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 6 hr (full), 5.5 hr (half)
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 400-500
Marathon: 287
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 409 ft (124 m)
Elevation Loss: 554 ft (168 m)
Average Temperature
- Low: 32°F
- High: 49°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced plans to get you to the start line ready.
Your bridge into marathons, with a plan built for stepping up the distance.
Structured plans for every experience level, first finish to chasing a new PR.
Things to Do in Sparks, MD, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Museums & History
Sparks Bank Nature Center
Visit the small Sparks Bank Nature Center along the NCR Trail at mile 3.8, open weekends — an easy, low-impact stop after race day.
Sports & Entertainment
NCR Trail Tubing
Rent a tube or bike along the NCR Trail at Hunt Valley Village or Hybrid Pedals in Monkton — a relaxed, low-impact way to spend an afternoon after race day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Oregon Ridge Park
Hike the trail network at Oregon Ridge Park, a natural oasis near Cockeysville — a relaxed, low-impact way to spend a rest day after racing.
Outdoors & Trails
NCR Trail
Bike or walk the NCR Trail (Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail), a 20-mile, level, ADA-accessible path running north from Cockeysville through Sparks — an easy option for tapering or recovering legs.
Hotels & Lodging Near the North Central Rail Trail Marathon
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Boston Qualifier: Yes