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Tobacco Road Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Cary, NC, USA
- Race Date: 03/14/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: No
Tobacco Road Marathon Description
The Tobacco Road Marathon is a fast, flat marathon and half marathon held each March in Cary, North Carolina. Most of the course follows the American Tobacco Trail, a tree-lined, crushed-stone path connecting quiet neighborhoods to open fields and forest, making it a popular Boston qualifying option. Frequent aid stations, enthusiastic volunteers, and local spectators support runners throughout, and proceeds benefit charities including JDRF and Team Red, White & Blue.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Tobacco Road Marathon Additional Details:
Tobacco Road has built a loyal following for its laid-back, well-run feel and lively finish-line party. Aid stations come frequently along the trail and go beyond water and sports drink, with volunteers handing out gels, bananas, waffles, oranges, and even pickle juice for cramping legs. The course itself is a peaceful escape, mostly shaded and quiet apart from cheering pockets near the trailheads. At the finish, runners ring a bell to mark their accomplishment before heading into a celebration with free beer from Bond Brothers, pizza from Papa John’s, and live music. Medal designs change yearly around a rails-to-trails theme, including a train-shaped medal and one with a magnetic piece that could be given to a supporter. Proceeds benefit local charities like JDRF and Team Red, White & Blue.
Course Information
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Mostly Out and Back
Surface: Mostly Trails
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: Unknown
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 2,000+
Marathon: 800+
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 957 ft (291 m)
Elevation Loss: 957 ft (291 m)
Average Temperature
- Low: 47°F
- High: 62°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.
Things to Do in Cary, NC, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Outdoors & Trails
American Tobacco Trail
Walk or bike a flat stretch of the 22-mile American Tobacco Trail as it passes through Cary on its way from Durham to Apex — easy on tired legs after race day.
Food & Drink
Brewery Bhavana at Fenton
Sample dim sum and award-winning Belgian-inspired beer at Brewery Bhavana inside Fenton, Cary’s newest mixed-use gathering spot — a relaxed way to celebrate the finish line.
Sports & Entertainment
Fenton
Catch a movie or grab a bite at Fenton, Cary’s newest mixed-use destination with restaurants, retail, and a movie theater — a relaxed, low-impact evening option after race day.
Shopping
Waverly Place
Browse the open-air shops and restaurants at Waverly Place, a relaxed shopping and dining destination in the heart of Cary — an easy, flat, walkable stroll.
Museums & History
Page-Walker Arts and History Centre
Explore Cary’s heritage at the Page-Walker Arts and History Centre, housed in a hotel dating back to the 1800s — an easy, air-conditioned indoor stop after race weekend.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Fred H. Bond Metro Park
Relax by the lake at Fred H. Bond Metro Park, 310 acres with easy trails, fishing, and boat rentals — a flat, low-impact way to spend a rest day.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
Wander the well-kept trails at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, home to 235 tree species not typically found in Central North Carolina — a shaded, low-impact walk.
Landmark
Downtown Cary Park
Stroll the seven-acre Downtown Cary Park, the town’s newly reimagined civic green space — an easy, flat walk right in the heart of town after race day.
Arts & Culture
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Catch a North Carolina Symphony performance or the Chinese Lantern Festival at the lakeside Koka Booth Amphitheatre — a relaxed, seated way to spend an evening.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Tobacco Road Marathon
Compare nearby hotels and book your Tobacco Road Marathon race-weekend stay in seconds.
Sunrise Running Company may earn a commission if you book through the map below, at no extra cost to you.
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