| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| H (°F) | 67 | 60 | 62 | 77 | 67 |
| L (°F) | 48 | 39 | 40 | 64 | 46 |
Very well organized at all levels. Whether a first time participant or a veteran, you will receive full support. The community will be there to cheer you on, MORE
Very well organized at all levels. Whether a first time participant or a veteran, you will receive full support. The community will be there to cheer you on,
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Best part of this race: Making new friends, seeing old ones. I met several other 50-staters and Marathon Maniacs at the pre-race dinner event. Second best part of this race: … MORE
Best part of this race: Making new friends, seeing old ones. I met several other 50-staters and Marathon Maniacs at the pre-race dinner event.
Second best part of this race: The race route. There’s nothing like running the gently rolling hills of New England in the fall. From the burbling river beside us for much of the descent to the out-and-back across a dam to the brief jaunt through a cemetery, this one was pretty from start to finish.
Other highlights: Keene. It’s a nice town. You can pretty much see/do it all in a few hours, then it gets old. But Machina Arts was a cool bar. Small-town vibe. Felt like a ghost town a few hours after the race though.
Pro Tip: Search around for airBNBs. I found one for wicked cheap 3 minutes from the start line. Better to create memories and meet people than to stay in a hotel.
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Really awesome race. I live in Dublin NH right near Keene so getting there was a breeze. Their was a ton of people cheering which was really nice, and their … MORE
Really awesome race. I live in Dublin NH right near Keene so getting there was a breeze. Their was a ton of people cheering which was really nice, and their was only one big hill at the beginning of the race. The weather when I also did it was perfect for running.
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I have only heard great things about this race so since I am back in NH and had the weekend off I knew I had to do it. There was … MORE
I have only heard great things about this race so since I am back in NH and had the weekend off I knew I had to do it. There was great pre-race communication with weekly emails leading up to the race. This race is located in Keene, NH which is by the Vermont border. Probably my only real negative about the race is it is not a convenient location. Every airport is over 1 hour away so if you are flying you will need to rent a car or be creative. I obviously drove but it’s still a pretty far drive. It is about 1 hour from my parents house in Concord, NH and 1.5 hours from my apartment in Salem, NH so I stayed with my parents. I was happy there was race day packet pick-up as it would be a long drive to go back and forth for the packet and I didn’t feel like spending money on a hotel. There is a pasta dinner that I’ve heard is great but again because of the distance I skipped it. The race ends at Keene State College and there is a different start for the full and half. You can park either at the start or finish but if you are doing race day packet pick-up you have to get the packet at the finish so I parked at the finish and took the shuttle to the start. I had to leave very early in the morning to get there and get the shuttle. I may consider a hotel if I do it again. The full starts at 7am and the half at 8am but you have to get the shuttles pretty early. The half shuttle left between 6:30 and 7:00. Packet pick-up went smooth and included a very nice, long sleeve light blue tech shirt and a draw string bag with lots of goodies like a bumper sticker and nutrition items. Definitely more swag than I’ve been getting at most half marathons. The shuttle went smoothly. One other minor negative is you had to wait at the start for a while. As I said in my last review the weather cooled down and it was perfect running weather but not perfect waiting 1 hour outside before a race weather. There was a tent runners could hang out it but it was not heated. Other than that everything else was great. There is about 300 participants in both the half and full. The full is net downhill and a fast course that a lot of people use to BQ. The half follows a lot of the marathon but there are a few areas that split. The half is not net downhill (well technically my Garmin said it was 20 feet net downhill lol) and is rolling hills but is not too difficult especially for NH. The scenery is beautiful and there is fall foliage and you also go past farms, pretty rustic neighborhoods, parks and through a cemetery. It was impeccably well marked. It could have been a confusing course as the half and full diverged quite a bit but it was so well marked you couldn’t get lost. There were very frequent aid stations every 1 to 2 miles. The road was not all closed for runners but it was always coned off and there was always space for runners to pass each other since there is some mixing of paces. With the size of the field there wasn’t much issue with the half and full mixing together and it was nice to almost always be running with others even if they were running much faster than me. There is good spectators support for a town of this size. It is not going to be the spectator support of the NYC marathon but there were more spectators than I expected. My favorite spectator was Archie the Therapy Pig who I met and got the pet and take some pictures with. There were also some really cute kids handing out treats to the runners. The half is very back of the pack friendly as there is essentially a 6 hour time limit. However there were very few back of packers participating. I was surprised there were only a couple participants behind me given the long time limit. I had no issues being in the back and since I was finishing with a lot of marathoners, all the aid stations were well stocked. I did run alone for one portion that diverged which was a bit lonely until I rejoined the marathon. The finish line is at Keene State College and it is busy, energetic and well set up. The medal is fine. It’s probably a bit below average for a half medal but adequate. The full medal is appropriately bigger. My finishing time was exactly the same as I have been running. I was hoping to break 3:20. I was on target until I met Archie but it was more fun to pet him and interact with the spectators than be 5 minutes faster. The food was a bit picked over at the end. There was still plenty of food but there was a selection of cookies and only healthy “breakfast” cookies were left. There was also vegan soup and a selection of different granola and protein bars. There was only one thing of chocolate milk left. I hate chocolate milk but I saw a marathoner excitedly get the last one. Since there were like 2 or 3 half marathoners behind me this shouldn’t be an issue for most half marathoners but full marathoners may not have as great of food selection if over 4ish hours (though there should be some food). Overall I thought this was an excellent race. I’m not sure it’s the best half marathon in NH but it’s definitely in the top 3 (the other 2 being New England Half and Smuttynose Rockfest). However this is the best that has a marathon so as long as you can get to Keene this is definitely the race to do for 50 state marathoners and one of the best choices for 50 state half marathoners especially walkers. I am not sure I will be in town next year for this race but it’s one I will definitely do again.
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Great race all around. Absolutely no complaints. Just the right amount of runners where you don't feel crowded but yet not lonely. Somehow I didn't look at the elevation profile … MORE
Great race all around. Absolutely no complaints. Just the right amount of runners where you don’t feel crowded but yet not lonely. Somehow I didn’t look at the elevation profile and was pleasantly surprised by the net elevation loss, leading to a PR! The indoor waiting area at the school pre-race was a plus. Friendly volunteers and pockets of crowd support. Pretty fall scenery and the unexpected run through a cemetery. Nice little swag items in the pre-race bag. Hot soup and chocolate milk at the finish. Hotels seemed a bit pricey and ended up staying in Brattleboro, VT so we had a short drive in morning of the race. Great race for NH. Highly recommend! Quality shirt and medal.
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I knew nothing about New Hampshire before this race and now I’m looking for a reason to return. The course and people were wonderful. There were definitely more volunteers than … MORE
I knew nothing about New Hampshire before this race and now I’m looking for a reason to return. The course and people were wonderful. There were definitely more volunteers than runners and I’d feel guilty for walking since they would cheer so enthusiastically when you came into view. They had very good soup at the end with chocolate milk, and then a variety of energy bars, but that was about it. Perhaps there was more earlier and they ran out, but I don’t know. We stayed in an Airbnb about half a mile from finish and bus pickup and it was so convenient to navigate. We drove just so we had a few extra minutes in the am and parking was a breeze. The cut-off was extremely generous at 7 hours,. Really, everything was smooth sailing with this race (we flew into Hartford, CT about 1 1/2-2 hours south) and I’d recommend this race, whether you’re a 50-stater or not.
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Nice racecourse that is net downhill but has enough uphill to relieve the quads. Easy check-in and a fair number in the goodie bag. Director strives to give you the … MORE
Nice racecourse that is net downhill but has enough uphill to relieve the quads. Easy check-in and a fair number in the goodie bag. Director strives to give you the number corresponding to the state # you are completing if you are a 50-stater, just let them know when doing the online registration. Cars on the roads with runners but not enough to be distracting. Good locations for family and friends to watch and then move to the next location along the course.
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Good Fall Marathon in New England. Great race volunteers! Downhill Start gets the runners spread out quickly. only a couple of out and backs where one can see the runners … MORE
Good Fall Marathon in New England. Great race volunteers! Downhill Start gets the runners spread out quickly. only a couple of out and backs where one can see the runners ahead and behind. Point to Point makes it better race for me, and I heard, other people too. The finish line energy made me so happy!
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This is a fantastic fun race! Rolling hills, great scenery, extremely organized. Great fun with terrific crowd support and the BEST volunteers. There are a number of spots where the … MORE
This is a fantastic fun race! Rolling hills, great scenery, extremely organized. Great fun with terrific crowd support and the BEST volunteers. There are a number of spots where the marathon and the half diverge and come back together and the course markings and volunteer directions were impeccable. I’ll be back!
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I've run the half marathon twice, in 2022 and 2023. Both times I've run this race it was a small town race of around 800 participants, with a big time … MORE
I’ve run the half marathon twice, in 2022 and 2023. Both times I’ve run this race it was a small town race of around 800 participants, with a big time race feel! This race is so well run from the minute you sign up until the moment you cross that festive finish and head over to the amazing spread of hot soup, fresh fruit, yummy cookies and many options for refreshments.
The on course support from the local community and volunteers is amazing. All road crossings are well managed and assisted. The marathon and half merge where the half starts in this point to point race, and split/merge again over the final 13.1, but all splits are extremely well marked and staffed with volunteers.
Finishing on the Keene State college campus is festive energizing! This is a popular Boston qualifier Marathon for good reason! I love the quality of the long sleeve shirts you receive with sign up, and the additional swag goodies are great! I cannot recommend this race enough for all ability levels! You will be glad you chose to run the historic Clarence DeMar race!
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It’s not often you will find a marathon with a beautiful course, a great director whose communication is superb, a supportive community who cherishes runners, well stocked aid stations, great … MORE
It’s not often you will find a marathon with a beautiful course, a great director whose communication is superb, a supportive community who cherishes runners, well stocked aid stations, great swag, and every single detail spot on! If you are looking for a well organized event that loves running…this one is for you! I definitely would love to run this one again!
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Such a sweet race. The commeradery is just impeccable. You can tell that everyone from this town absolutely LOVES their town. It's very evident in this race. This is one … MORE
Such a sweet race. The commeradery is just impeccable. You can tell that everyone from this town absolutely LOVES their town. It’s very evident in this race. This is one that is full of 50 staters, and the locals are so excited to welcome everyone to their hometown race. Absolutely loved the spirit here. Not my best performance — went out for a PR and the hills just got me that day. But still a good experience. The town of Keene is precious. I stayed in Gilsum at the cutest eco friendly house. Definitely recommend!
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Five sshoes are not high enough for the race production with this race. The pre-race communication and website information was fantastic. If you didn't find an answer to a question … MORE
Five sshoes are not high enough for the race production with this race. The pre-race communication and website information was fantastic. If you didn’t find an answer to a question then you either didn’t read well enough or you really didn’t need to know it. The race director was also super accessible at packet pickup and pre-race pasta dinner. This was my 15th marathon and this was the most well marked course I’ve ever run (including 20 halfs). Color coded route arrows on the pavement and corriplast signs as well as at least 2 volunteers at each turn made it impossible to get off course. I think the website described it as ‘challenging but fair’ and I would agree with that. Net downhill according to my watch, but that wasn’t really noticeable. Some rolling hills at various parts with a couple of steeper ones later in the race, particularly a down into the cemetery and then a couple ups closer to the end of the cemetery. Most of the inclines weren’t really noticeable though.
Crowd support was decent, but it’s a smaller race mostly through NH countryside, so if you need the roar of a Chicago crowd, this probably won’t work for you. Volunteer support all weekend was top notch. Pre-race pasta dinner was good with an enjoyable program (Frank Shorter this year). Post race food was okay, cookies and chocolate milk were my favorites, some fruit, bagels and vegetable soup (heavy on chickpeas and beans) this year. The course was mostly open to traffic, which at times was not great but manageable. Several times you were running with traffic, but the drivers seemed more courteous to runners than I’m used to. Porta-potties were not super plentiful and were fairly spread out (none from 4 – 10, roughly every 5 miles after that). I also had significant overlap with half marathoners (they start 1 hour later, I ran mid 3 hours), passing the same runners 4 or 5 times based on how the courses were set up, so that got a little old. All in all, a fantastic race weekend (nice quaint small town also), highly recommended if you are a 50 stater needing New Hampshire. They also do a very cool thing with your bib for 50 staters, at least by my wife and I’s nerdy standards.
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Packet pickup was easy at Keene College and that is where the finish line is. It was so extra special that the race director gave me #37 for my thirty-seventh … MORE
Packet pickup was easy at Keene College and that is where the finish line is. It was so extra special that the race director gave me #37 for my thirty-seventh state!
I chose to be dropped off at start line in Gilsum. Plenty or parking and potty’s. My friend was able to walk with me to start line and see me off!
There where plenty of aid stations throughout the marathon including medics on bikes. Thoughtful volunteers who asked how you were doing throughout.
The course had rolling hills and maybe two to three more steep ones. Totally manageable. The first half beautiful countryside and the rest friendly neighborhoods, cemetery and campus.
I was able to get a massage even as one of the last one to finish and there was still announcements and excitement as I finished.
Very well done NH!
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This was my 6th lifetime marathon and my first time running Clarence DeMar. Runners received excellent communication from the race director in the months and weeks leading up to the … MORE
This was my 6th lifetime marathon and my first time running Clarence DeMar.
Runners received excellent communication from the race director in the months and weeks leading up to the race. All the pre race instructions for race day parking, pre race bib pickup, and spectator guidelines were clear and timely. I’m grateful that COVID restrictions were followed while still allowing a fun time.
Bib pickup the day before was convenient and easy.
I didn’t sign up for the pasta dinner BUT I serendipitously met the keynote speaker, Bill Rodgers, in the hotel lobby!
The weather was perfect on race day morning. The course was absolutely stunning — perfect New England fall scenery. Plenty of rolling hills but no crazy elevation.
Aid stations were plentiful. We were told far in advance that there would be only water and Gatorade; the race provided no additional fuel on the course. Fine with me as I prefer to carry my own food anyway. The volunteers were absolutely wonderful— kind, and encouraging at every stop. My only suggestion would be to add at least 1 more porta-potty stop between miles 1 and 10.
There were long, quiet stretches, but also lots of portions with tons of spectator support. So nice to be cheered on by the locals. The group at around mile 23 that had a spread of snacks and drinks for runners were the absolute BEST.
Due to Covid restrictions, family wasn’t allowed at the finish line, but race volunteers made up for it with lots of cheering and encouragement. I’m a slower marathoner, but I felt just as supported and special as an elite runner.
Overall, this was a near perfect experience. Fantastic race run by some clearly wonderful people. My favorite marathon so far.
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BOTTOM LINE: Whether you’re a focused 50 Stater or a restless runner looking for a top-notch race in a beautiful setting, CDM is one DeMar-velous marathon. With a population of … MORE
BOTTOM LINE: Whether you’re a focused 50 Stater or a restless runner looking for a top-notch race in a beautiful setting, CDM is one DeMar-velous marathon. With a population of ~23,000, Keene is a cute, quaint, welcoming community that feels like you’ve stepped out of a wayback machine somewhere in turn-of-the-20th-century New England (and especially if you’ve just driven in from nearby Boston). For out-of-towners there’s not a lot to do in Keene, but then again there’s just enough: take a self-guided tour of the charming Keene College campus, visit the collection of vintage-style murals and advertisements around town (which add to the anachronistic sense of time travel), and make a date with one of the town’s several brewpubs to celebrate your 26.2- or 13.1-mile accomplishment. Keene is a place where, 90 years later, the town’s favorite son would still feel right at home.
CDM is an impeccably produced event that clearly cares about its runners and the community it supports. And this attitude spills over into every detail, from the always friendly and eager-to-help volunteers, to the pre-race pasta dinner with its high-profile guest speaker (Dick Beardsley for us), to the way they treat their last finisher with just as much joy and excitement as their first, referring to this resolute soul as their “cardiovascular runner,” i.e. the runner with the most heart. Brilliant. After running it for myself, it’s easy to understand why CDM won our RaceRaves “Best of the US” Marathons poll for New Hampshire. In fact, if you find yourself registering for CDM after reading this, tell Race Director Alan Stroshine that Mike from RaceRaves sent you — the man’s smile and enthusiasm are infectious, and I guarantee he’ll be one of the best conversations you’ll have all weekend.
If a high-energy outing à la Vegas or New York City is your ideal race weekend, Keene may not be your cup o’ tea; then again, if you’re reading this and considering a marathon in rural New Hampshire, you probably already knew that. But if you’re looking to escape urban insanity for a few days in favor of a more peaceful and picturesque venue — and especially in early autumn when the local foliage offers a sneak peek of its fiery fall wardrobe — then CDM is just what this doctor ordered.
If you do decide to run, I’d recommend you first read “Marathon,” the 1937 memoir of 7-time Boston Marathon champion and former Keene resident Clarence DeMar. I was pleasantly surprised to discover it’s a terrific narrative that will give you a much deeper appreciation for the man, the town and the rich background of this event. And don’t forget to pay your respects to the larger-than-life mural of Mr. DeMarathon himself located next door to local sporting goods retailer Ted’s Shoe & Sport.
PRODUCTION: CDM production was on par with the best races I’ve run, a particularly impressive feat for a small-town race with only 768 total (marathon + half) finishers. Numbers aside, don’t sleep on DeMar — its 361 marathon finishers in 2019 represented a 143% increase over 2018. And I’m confident that once we’re able to overcome the challenge of COVID-19 as a nation, CDM will continue to grow in size and stature. Its increasing popularity is a tribute to Race Director Alan Stroshine and the Keene Elm City Rotary Club as well as to the Keene community, which puts its heart and soul into supporting this event. A well-produced race is one thing, but a well-produced race suffused with this level of dedication and pride is a special find.
RD Alan’s regular email updates in the weeks leading up to race day helped to set expectations for runners and spectators alike, with extremely detailed directions to ensure no key detail was overlooked. And whereas the pre-race pasta dinner is typically one of the more hit-or-miss aspects of race weekend (a lesson I’d learned the hard way in Mobile five years earlier 😬), the CDM pasta dinner at the Courtyard Marriott — the host hotel where we stayed — was an unexpected delight thanks to a remarkable guest speaker in Dick Beardsley, who lost the “Duel in the Sun” at the 1982 Boston Marathon by two seconds to crazy man Alberto Salazar. (If you don’t know Dick’s life story, pick up a copy of his autobiography “Staying the Course: A Runner’s Toughest Race.” Wow.) Previous CDM speakers included Boston Marathon RD Dave McGillivray and former Runner’s World editor-at-large/1968 Boston Marathon winner Amby Burfoot, so Alan doesn’t mess around when it comes to securing guest speakers that his runners actually care about. And as long as we’re talking attention to detail, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who noticed the napkins at the pasta dinner were green and orange, the official colors of the Clarence DeMar Marathon. Then again, maybe I’m the only one who notices stuff like that?
As for race day, the route featured clear signage in advance of aid stations, plus frequent green (for the marathon) and orange (for the half) directional arrows on the ground; these were especially helpful at road crossings and where the full and half courses diverged. Though a minor detail, my psyche also appreciated the Mile 13.1 sign at the halfway point. And I was surprised to learn after the race that CDM recruits 500 volunteers; with everything they did to ensure race weekend went off without a hitch, I would have sworn the number was closer to 5,000. A huge THANK YOU to some of the most capable and caring volunteers in the country.
One curious choice by Alan and his team was the decision not to offer solid nutrition (CLIF, GU etc.) along the course, though this too was clearly noted in his pre-race emails, enabling all runners to plan accordingly — like resourceful 50 Stater John P from Tulsa (@slowjuan on RaceRaves), who apparently scored a much-needed jelly donut off one of the local kids late in the race. So there’s that. And speaking of munchies, the post-race party on the Keene State campus featured an assortment of food options served on the large grassy quad alongside the finish line, where runners and their families capitalized on the beautiful fall weather. Nearby, a Millennium Running timing tent welcomed finishers to print out their results.
One last detail worth noting: In addition to the marathon and half marathon, race day featured a DeMar Kids Marathon as well as a Super Seniors (70+) Marathon, a simple yet amazing idea. While kids runs are a staple of many marathon weekends to empower the next generation of runners, very few events focus on the opposite end of the age spectrum. DeMar’s Super Seniors Marathon is a novel concept I’d recommend to races across the country as a more inclusive way to support their local communities.
SWAG: The CDM finisher medal is a nice, multi-colored keepsake with the race logo depicted on front and a quote from the man himself engraved on the back: “Not only in running but in much of life is a sense of balance and proportion necessary.” The loosely fitting long-sleeve race tee is comfortable enough, though unfortunately I’ll never be able to pull off neon green — my name is close enough to Mike Wazowski’s already without me actually dressing like him. (I did end up purchasing an electric blue pullover that’s quickly become a go-to favorite, with the CDM logo in gray on front and “DEMAR” in gray vertical letters down the back). Every finisher also received a water bottle at the finish line which was, conveniently enough, pre-filled with water. Last but not least, I scored a free New Balance poster of the Duel in the Sun, signed by Dick Beardsley at the pre-race pasta dinner, to complement my purchased copy of his autobiography. All in all, a swag-errific race weekend in the Granite State.
If you’re Keen(e) on CDM, don’t stop at the Cliffs Notes — check out my full race recap of our Clarence DeMar Marathon weekend at https://wp.me/p2rSqE-1UT
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday race day pick up offered. I did Saturday at the Gym which was also the location where the buses were located to shuttle you to your … MORE
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday race day pick up offered. I did Saturday at the Gym which was also the location where the buses were located to shuttle you to your race location, it was different for the half and the full. Plenty of close free parking on campus. 8am race start and a perfect morning for running. Ran downhill then up hill to start then a fairly flat course with maybe 2 additional hills. I was tired from my Saturday race so I just did what I could. Plenty of water and Gatorade on the course! The crowd support was amazing the entire race! People were everywhere cheering on the runners. They seemed to have an over abundance of volunteers as we ran through the cemetery. Some of the race was on country roads with lots of shade and a little traffic, some on the open road with a little more traffic. There were also parts that were paved trails through parks. The announcer read a statement that you included during registration as you crossed the finish line. The after race area had a photo opportunity and my favorite chocolate milk! There were also cookies, veggie chili, yogurt, watermelon, oranges, bananas and apple juice. One bonus was being able to take a shower at the gym after the race! Water bottle, Long sleeve dri fit shirt, a little tote bag were the race swag.
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You get busted up a mountain and a school awaits warm and sheltered. Plenty of outside ports potties. Gym to stretch in and do pre race rituals. The race director … MORE
You get busted up a mountain and a school awaits warm and sheltered. Plenty of outside ports potties. Gym to stretch in and do pre race rituals.
The race director gets on bus to ask if any one has questions he gives us last minute reminders. Invites us to church at start line a mile away to stay warm and minister performs a blessing. Also clean toilets and a kitchen to use. So comfortable.
Course well supported and amazing scenery. Oh my gosh this park we run through has amazing views. Plus the colors are all changing on the leaves.
Running at finish was great because seemed like everyone in town was there to cheer us on. I loved this race. Did not expect this.
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If you want a good scenic trip on foot this is your race. It was a gorgeous route! The course was mostly flat with a few hills but only one … MORE
If you want a good scenic trip on foot this is your race. It was a gorgeous route! The course was mostly flat with a few hills but only one steep hill in the cemetery really stood out to me. I brought my family with me and we traveled from home in MA the evening before. I was unable to retrieve my race bib prior to raceday so I had to pick up at finish line day of. I found this to be inconvenient. I am unsure why race day pick up wouldn’t be at the starting line. I always give myself an hour but by the time I went to finish line then to starting line I only had 12min left before guntime. This was a good spectator course as it is an open course.
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Clarence DeMar was my first full marathon. The experience was absolutely amazing! The area is beautiful with farms and country roads. The leaves were at peak it seemed, and as … MORE
Clarence DeMar was my first full marathon. The experience was absolutely amazing! The area is beautiful with farms and country roads. The leaves were at peak it seemed, and as we ran the leaves were coming down like confetti. There were lots of water stops with happy people and the locals were out helping as well. I felt greatful for one woman who supported me when I had to stop to stretch, offering me a water. It meant a lot! This event seems well supported by everyone and when we stayed at an Airbnb there were other runners there as well and our host was knowledgeable about the race. I must also add that my finisher photo was stellar!!! I highly recommend this race!
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Beautiful scenery, welcoming community
Very well organized at all levels. Whether a first time participant or a veteran, you will receive full support. The community will be there to cheer you on, MORE
Very well organized at all levels. Whether a first time participant or a veteran, you will receive full support. The community will be there to cheer you on,
A lovely fall run in New Hampshire
Best part of this race: Making new friends, seeing old ones. I met several other 50-staters and Marathon Maniacs at the pre-race dinner event. Second best part of this race: … MORE
Best part of this race: Making new friends, seeing old ones. I met several other 50-staters and Marathon Maniacs at the pre-race dinner event.
Second best part of this race: The race route. There’s nothing like running the gently rolling hills of New England in the fall. From the burbling river beside us for much of the descent to the out-and-back across a dam to the brief jaunt through a cemetery, this one was pretty from start to finish.
Other highlights: Keene. It’s a nice town. You can pretty much see/do it all in a few hours, then it gets old. But Machina Arts was a cool bar. Small-town vibe. Felt like a ghost town a few hours after the race though.
Pro Tip: Search around for airBNBs. I found one for wicked cheap 3 minutes from the start line. Better to create memories and meet people than to stay in a hotel.
Awesome Close Race!
Really awesome race. I live in Dublin NH right near Keene so getting there was a breeze. Their was a ton of people cheering which was really nice, and their … MORE
Really awesome race. I live in Dublin NH right near Keene so getting there was a breeze. Their was a ton of people cheering which was really nice, and their was only one big hill at the beginning of the race. The weather when I also did it was perfect for running.
Meet Archie the Therapy Pig!
I have only heard great things about this race so since I am back in NH and had the weekend off I knew I had to do it. There was … MORE
I have only heard great things about this race so since I am back in NH and had the weekend off I knew I had to do it. There was great pre-race communication with weekly emails leading up to the race. This race is located in Keene, NH which is by the Vermont border. Probably my only real negative about the race is it is not a convenient location. Every airport is over 1 hour away so if you are flying you will need to rent a car or be creative. I obviously drove but it’s still a pretty far drive. It is about 1 hour from my parents house in Concord, NH and 1.5 hours from my apartment in Salem, NH so I stayed with my parents. I was happy there was race day packet pick-up as it would be a long drive to go back and forth for the packet and I didn’t feel like spending money on a hotel. There is a pasta dinner that I’ve heard is great but again because of the distance I skipped it. The race ends at Keene State College and there is a different start for the full and half. You can park either at the start or finish but if you are doing race day packet pick-up you have to get the packet at the finish so I parked at the finish and took the shuttle to the start. I had to leave very early in the morning to get there and get the shuttle. I may consider a hotel if I do it again. The full starts at 7am and the half at 8am but you have to get the shuttles pretty early. The half shuttle left between 6:30 and 7:00. Packet pick-up went smooth and included a very nice, long sleeve light blue tech shirt and a draw string bag with lots of goodies like a bumper sticker and nutrition items. Definitely more swag than I’ve been getting at most half marathons. The shuttle went smoothly. One other minor negative is you had to wait at the start for a while. As I said in my last review the weather cooled down and it was perfect running weather but not perfect waiting 1 hour outside before a race weather. There was a tent runners could hang out it but it was not heated. Other than that everything else was great. There is about 300 participants in both the half and full. The full is net downhill and a fast course that a lot of people use to BQ. The half follows a lot of the marathon but there are a few areas that split. The half is not net downhill (well technically my Garmin said it was 20 feet net downhill lol) and is rolling hills but is not too difficult especially for NH. The scenery is beautiful and there is fall foliage and you also go past farms, pretty rustic neighborhoods, parks and through a cemetery. It was impeccably well marked. It could have been a confusing course as the half and full diverged quite a bit but it was so well marked you couldn’t get lost. There were very frequent aid stations every 1 to 2 miles. The road was not all closed for runners but it was always coned off and there was always space for runners to pass each other since there is some mixing of paces. With the size of the field there wasn’t much issue with the half and full mixing together and it was nice to almost always be running with others even if they were running much faster than me. There is good spectators support for a town of this size. It is not going to be the spectator support of the NYC marathon but there were more spectators than I expected. My favorite spectator was Archie the Therapy Pig who I met and got the pet and take some pictures with. There were also some really cute kids handing out treats to the runners. The half is very back of the pack friendly as there is essentially a 6 hour time limit. However there were very few back of packers participating. I was surprised there were only a couple participants behind me given the long time limit. I had no issues being in the back and since I was finishing with a lot of marathoners, all the aid stations were well stocked. I did run alone for one portion that diverged which was a bit lonely until I rejoined the marathon. The finish line is at Keene State College and it is busy, energetic and well set up. The medal is fine. It’s probably a bit below average for a half medal but adequate. The full medal is appropriately bigger. My finishing time was exactly the same as I have been running. I was hoping to break 3:20. I was on target until I met Archie but it was more fun to pet him and interact with the spectators than be 5 minutes faster. The food was a bit picked over at the end. There was still plenty of food but there was a selection of cookies and only healthy “breakfast” cookies were left. There was also vegan soup and a selection of different granola and protein bars. There was only one thing of chocolate milk left. I hate chocolate milk but I saw a marathoner excitedly get the last one. Since there were like 2 or 3 half marathoners behind me this shouldn’t be an issue for most half marathoners but full marathoners may not have as great of food selection if over 4ish hours (though there should be some food). Overall I thought this was an excellent race. I’m not sure it’s the best half marathon in NH but it’s definitely in the top 3 (the other 2 being New England Half and Smuttynose Rockfest). However this is the best that has a marathon so as long as you can get to Keene this is definitely the race to do for 50 state marathoners and one of the best choices for 50 state half marathoners especially walkers. I am not sure I will be in town next year for this race but it’s one I will definitely do again.
I thought I was too old to PR.
Great race all around. Absolutely no complaints. Just the right amount of runners where you don't feel crowded but yet not lonely. Somehow I didn't look at the elevation profile … MORE
Great race all around. Absolutely no complaints. Just the right amount of runners where you don’t feel crowded but yet not lonely. Somehow I didn’t look at the elevation profile and was pleasantly surprised by the net elevation loss, leading to a PR! The indoor waiting area at the school pre-race was a plus. Friendly volunteers and pockets of crowd support. Pretty fall scenery and the unexpected run through a cemetery. Nice little swag items in the pre-race bag. Hot soup and chocolate milk at the finish. Hotels seemed a bit pricey and ended up staying in Brattleboro, VT so we had a short drive in morning of the race. Great race for NH. Highly recommend! Quality shirt and medal.
Great Way to Experience New Hampshire
I knew nothing about New Hampshire before this race and now I’m looking for a reason to return. The course and people were wonderful. There were definitely more volunteers than … MORE
I knew nothing about New Hampshire before this race and now I’m looking for a reason to return. The course and people were wonderful. There were definitely more volunteers than runners and I’d feel guilty for walking since they would cheer so enthusiastically when you came into view. They had very good soup at the end with chocolate milk, and then a variety of energy bars, but that was about it. Perhaps there was more earlier and they ran out, but I don’t know. We stayed in an Airbnb about half a mile from finish and bus pickup and it was so convenient to navigate. We drove just so we had a few extra minutes in the am and parking was a breeze. The cut-off was extremely generous at 7 hours,. Really, everything was smooth sailing with this race (we flew into Hartford, CT about 1 1/2-2 hours south) and I’d recommend this race, whether you’re a 50-stater or not.
Nice course for early fall New England
Nice racecourse that is net downhill but has enough uphill to relieve the quads. Easy check-in and a fair number in the goodie bag. Director strives to give you the … MORE
Nice racecourse that is net downhill but has enough uphill to relieve the quads. Easy check-in and a fair number in the goodie bag. Director strives to give you the number corresponding to the state # you are completing if you are a 50-stater, just let them know when doing the online registration. Cars on the roads with runners but not enough to be distracting. Good locations for family and friends to watch and then move to the next location along the course.
Great Race with even better Backstory!
Good Fall Marathon in New England. Great race volunteers! Downhill Start gets the runners spread out quickly. only a couple of out and backs where one can see the runners … MORE
Good Fall Marathon in New England. Great race volunteers! Downhill Start gets the runners spread out quickly. only a couple of out and backs where one can see the runners ahead and behind. Point to Point makes it better race for me, and I heard, other people too. The finish line energy made me so happy!
Love This Race!
This is a fantastic fun race! Rolling hills, great scenery, extremely organized. Great fun with terrific crowd support and the BEST volunteers. There are a number of spots where the … MORE
This is a fantastic fun race! Rolling hills, great scenery, extremely organized. Great fun with terrific crowd support and the BEST volunteers. There are a number of spots where the marathon and the half diverge and come back together and the course markings and volunteer directions were impeccable. I’ll be back!
Beautiful course, well organized, fun!
I've run the half marathon twice, in 2022 and 2023. Both times I've run this race it was a small town race of around 800 participants, with a big time … MORE
I’ve run the half marathon twice, in 2022 and 2023. Both times I’ve run this race it was a small town race of around 800 participants, with a big time race feel! This race is so well run from the minute you sign up until the moment you cross that festive finish and head over to the amazing spread of hot soup, fresh fruit, yummy cookies and many options for refreshments.
The on course support from the local community and volunteers is amazing. All road crossings are well managed and assisted. The marathon and half merge where the half starts in this point to point race, and split/merge again over the final 13.1, but all splits are extremely well marked and staffed with volunteers.
Finishing on the Keene State college campus is festive energizing! This is a popular Boston qualifier Marathon for good reason! I love the quality of the long sleeve shirts you receive with sign up, and the additional swag goodies are great! I cannot recommend this race enough for all ability levels! You will be glad you chose to run the historic Clarence DeMar race!
Perfection in every way!
It’s not often you will find a marathon with a beautiful course, a great director whose communication is superb, a supportive community who cherishes runners, well stocked aid stations, great … MORE
It’s not often you will find a marathon with a beautiful course, a great director whose communication is superb, a supportive community who cherishes runners, well stocked aid stations, great swag, and every single detail spot on! If you are looking for a well organized event that loves running…this one is for you! I definitely would love to run this one again!
Love Keene & the story behind this race!
Such a sweet race. The commeradery is just impeccable. You can tell that everyone from this town absolutely LOVES their town. It's very evident in this race. This is one … MORE
Such a sweet race. The commeradery is just impeccable. You can tell that everyone from this town absolutely LOVES their town. It’s very evident in this race. This is one that is full of 50 staters, and the locals are so excited to welcome everyone to their hometown race. Absolutely loved the spirit here. Not my best performance — went out for a PR and the hills just got me that day. But still a good experience. The town of Keene is precious. I stayed in Gilsum at the cutest eco friendly house. Definitely recommend!
Fantastically well organized
Five sshoes are not high enough for the race production with this race. The pre-race communication and website information was fantastic. If you didn't find an answer to a question … MORE
Five sshoes are not high enough for the race production with this race. The pre-race communication and website information was fantastic. If you didn’t find an answer to a question then you either didn’t read well enough or you really didn’t need to know it. The race director was also super accessible at packet pickup and pre-race pasta dinner. This was my 15th marathon and this was the most well marked course I’ve ever run (including 20 halfs). Color coded route arrows on the pavement and corriplast signs as well as at least 2 volunteers at each turn made it impossible to get off course. I think the website described it as ‘challenging but fair’ and I would agree with that. Net downhill according to my watch, but that wasn’t really noticeable. Some rolling hills at various parts with a couple of steeper ones later in the race, particularly a down into the cemetery and then a couple ups closer to the end of the cemetery. Most of the inclines weren’t really noticeable though.
Crowd support was decent, but it’s a smaller race mostly through NH countryside, so if you need the roar of a Chicago crowd, this probably won’t work for you. Volunteer support all weekend was top notch. Pre-race pasta dinner was good with an enjoyable program (Frank Shorter this year). Post race food was okay, cookies and chocolate milk were my favorites, some fruit, bagels and vegetable soup (heavy on chickpeas and beans) this year. The course was mostly open to traffic, which at times was not great but manageable. Several times you were running with traffic, but the drivers seemed more courteous to runners than I’m used to. Porta-potties were not super plentiful and were fairly spread out (none from 4 – 10, roughly every 5 miles after that). I also had significant overlap with half marathoners (they start 1 hour later, I ran mid 3 hours), passing the same runners 4 or 5 times based on how the courses were set up, so that got a little old. All in all, a fantastic race weekend (nice quaint small town also), highly recommended if you are a 50 stater needing New Hampshire. They also do a very cool thing with your bib for 50 staters, at least by my wife and I’s nerdy standards.
Beautiful rolling race
Packet pickup was easy at Keene College and that is where the finish line is. It was so extra special that the race director gave me #37 for my thirty-seventh … MORE
Packet pickup was easy at Keene College and that is where the finish line is. It was so extra special that the race director gave me #37 for my thirty-seventh state!
I chose to be dropped off at start line in Gilsum. Plenty or parking and potty’s. My friend was able to walk with me to start line and see me off!
There where plenty of aid stations throughout the marathon including medics on bikes. Thoughtful volunteers who asked how you were doing throughout.
The course had rolling hills and maybe two to three more steep ones. Totally manageable. The first half beautiful countryside and the rest friendly neighborhoods, cemetery and campus.
I was able to get a massage even as one of the last one to finish and there was still announcements and excitement as I finished.
Very well done NH!
Perfect New Hampshire marathon
This was my 6th lifetime marathon and my first time running Clarence DeMar. Runners received excellent communication from the race director in the months and weeks leading up to the … MORE
This was my 6th lifetime marathon and my first time running Clarence DeMar.
Runners received excellent communication from the race director in the months and weeks leading up to the race. All the pre race instructions for race day parking, pre race bib pickup, and spectator guidelines were clear and timely. I’m grateful that COVID restrictions were followed while still allowing a fun time.
Bib pickup the day before was convenient and easy.
I didn’t sign up for the pasta dinner BUT I serendipitously met the keynote speaker, Bill Rodgers, in the hotel lobby!
The weather was perfect on race day morning. The course was absolutely stunning — perfect New England fall scenery. Plenty of rolling hills but no crazy elevation.
Aid stations were plentiful. We were told far in advance that there would be only water and Gatorade; the race provided no additional fuel on the course. Fine with me as I prefer to carry my own food anyway. The volunteers were absolutely wonderful— kind, and encouraging at every stop. My only suggestion would be to add at least 1 more porta-potty stop between miles 1 and 10.
There were long, quiet stretches, but also lots of portions with tons of spectator support. So nice to be cheered on by the locals. The group at around mile 23 that had a spread of snacks and drinks for runners were the absolute BEST.
Due to Covid restrictions, family wasn’t allowed at the finish line, but race volunteers made up for it with lots of cheering and encouragement. I’m a slower marathoner, but I felt just as supported and special as an elite runner.
Overall, this was a near perfect experience. Fantastic race run by some clearly wonderful people. My favorite marathon so far.
Gilsum to Keene, fall beauty between
BOTTOM LINE: Whether you’re a focused 50 Stater or a restless runner looking for a top-notch race in a beautiful setting, CDM is one DeMar-velous marathon. With a population of … MORE
BOTTOM LINE: Whether you’re a focused 50 Stater or a restless runner looking for a top-notch race in a beautiful setting, CDM is one DeMar-velous marathon. With a population of ~23,000, Keene is a cute, quaint, welcoming community that feels like you’ve stepped out of a wayback machine somewhere in turn-of-the-20th-century New England (and especially if you’ve just driven in from nearby Boston). For out-of-towners there’s not a lot to do in Keene, but then again there’s just enough: take a self-guided tour of the charming Keene College campus, visit the collection of vintage-style murals and advertisements around town (which add to the anachronistic sense of time travel), and make a date with one of the town’s several brewpubs to celebrate your 26.2- or 13.1-mile accomplishment. Keene is a place where, 90 years later, the town’s favorite son would still feel right at home.
CDM is an impeccably produced event that clearly cares about its runners and the community it supports. And this attitude spills over into every detail, from the always friendly and eager-to-help volunteers, to the pre-race pasta dinner with its high-profile guest speaker (Dick Beardsley for us), to the way they treat their last finisher with just as much joy and excitement as their first, referring to this resolute soul as their “cardiovascular runner,” i.e. the runner with the most heart. Brilliant. After running it for myself, it’s easy to understand why CDM won our RaceRaves “Best of the US” Marathons poll for New Hampshire. In fact, if you find yourself registering for CDM after reading this, tell Race Director Alan Stroshine that Mike from RaceRaves sent you — the man’s smile and enthusiasm are infectious, and I guarantee he’ll be one of the best conversations you’ll have all weekend.
If a high-energy outing à la Vegas or New York City is your ideal race weekend, Keene may not be your cup o’ tea; then again, if you’re reading this and considering a marathon in rural New Hampshire, you probably already knew that. But if you’re looking to escape urban insanity for a few days in favor of a more peaceful and picturesque venue — and especially in early autumn when the local foliage offers a sneak peek of its fiery fall wardrobe — then CDM is just what this doctor ordered.
If you do decide to run, I’d recommend you first read “Marathon,” the 1937 memoir of 7-time Boston Marathon champion and former Keene resident Clarence DeMar. I was pleasantly surprised to discover it’s a terrific narrative that will give you a much deeper appreciation for the man, the town and the rich background of this event. And don’t forget to pay your respects to the larger-than-life mural of Mr. DeMarathon himself located next door to local sporting goods retailer Ted’s Shoe & Sport.
PRODUCTION: CDM production was on par with the best races I’ve run, a particularly impressive feat for a small-town race with only 768 total (marathon + half) finishers. Numbers aside, don’t sleep on DeMar — its 361 marathon finishers in 2019 represented a 143% increase over 2018. And I’m confident that once we’re able to overcome the challenge of COVID-19 as a nation, CDM will continue to grow in size and stature. Its increasing popularity is a tribute to Race Director Alan Stroshine and the Keene Elm City Rotary Club as well as to the Keene community, which puts its heart and soul into supporting this event. A well-produced race is one thing, but a well-produced race suffused with this level of dedication and pride is a special find.
RD Alan’s regular email updates in the weeks leading up to race day helped to set expectations for runners and spectators alike, with extremely detailed directions to ensure no key detail was overlooked. And whereas the pre-race pasta dinner is typically one of the more hit-or-miss aspects of race weekend (a lesson I’d learned the hard way in Mobile five years earlier 😬), the CDM pasta dinner at the Courtyard Marriott — the host hotel where we stayed — was an unexpected delight thanks to a remarkable guest speaker in Dick Beardsley, who lost the “Duel in the Sun” at the 1982 Boston Marathon by two seconds to crazy man Alberto Salazar. (If you don’t know Dick’s life story, pick up a copy of his autobiography “Staying the Course: A Runner’s Toughest Race.” Wow.) Previous CDM speakers included Boston Marathon RD Dave McGillivray and former Runner’s World editor-at-large/1968 Boston Marathon winner Amby Burfoot, so Alan doesn’t mess around when it comes to securing guest speakers that his runners actually care about. And as long as we’re talking attention to detail, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who noticed the napkins at the pasta dinner were green and orange, the official colors of the Clarence DeMar Marathon. Then again, maybe I’m the only one who notices stuff like that?
As for race day, the route featured clear signage in advance of aid stations, plus frequent green (for the marathon) and orange (for the half) directional arrows on the ground; these were especially helpful at road crossings and where the full and half courses diverged. Though a minor detail, my psyche also appreciated the Mile 13.1 sign at the halfway point. And I was surprised to learn after the race that CDM recruits 500 volunteers; with everything they did to ensure race weekend went off without a hitch, I would have sworn the number was closer to 5,000. A huge THANK YOU to some of the most capable and caring volunteers in the country.
One curious choice by Alan and his team was the decision not to offer solid nutrition (CLIF, GU etc.) along the course, though this too was clearly noted in his pre-race emails, enabling all runners to plan accordingly — like resourceful 50 Stater John P from Tulsa (@slowjuan on RaceRaves), who apparently scored a much-needed jelly donut off one of the local kids late in the race. So there’s that. And speaking of munchies, the post-race party on the Keene State campus featured an assortment of food options served on the large grassy quad alongside the finish line, where runners and their families capitalized on the beautiful fall weather. Nearby, a Millennium Running timing tent welcomed finishers to print out their results.
One last detail worth noting: In addition to the marathon and half marathon, race day featured a DeMar Kids Marathon as well as a Super Seniors (70+) Marathon, a simple yet amazing idea. While kids runs are a staple of many marathon weekends to empower the next generation of runners, very few events focus on the opposite end of the age spectrum. DeMar’s Super Seniors Marathon is a novel concept I’d recommend to races across the country as a more inclusive way to support their local communities.
SWAG: The CDM finisher medal is a nice, multi-colored keepsake with the race logo depicted on front and a quote from the man himself engraved on the back: “Not only in running but in much of life is a sense of balance and proportion necessary.” The loosely fitting long-sleeve race tee is comfortable enough, though unfortunately I’ll never be able to pull off neon green — my name is close enough to Mike Wazowski’s already without me actually dressing like him. (I did end up purchasing an electric blue pullover that’s quickly become a go-to favorite, with the CDM logo in gray on front and “DEMAR” in gray vertical letters down the back). Every finisher also received a water bottle at the finish line which was, conveniently enough, pre-filled with water. Last but not least, I scored a free New Balance poster of the Duel in the Sun, signed by Dick Beardsley at the pre-race pasta dinner, to complement my purchased copy of his autobiography. All in all, a swag-errific race weekend in the Granite State.
If you’re Keen(e) on CDM, don’t stop at the Cliffs Notes — check out my full race recap of our Clarence DeMar Marathon weekend at https://wp.me/p2rSqE-1UT
Entire Race Was A Community Party
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday race day pick up offered. I did Saturday at the Gym which was also the location where the buses were located to shuttle you to your … MORE
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday race day pick up offered. I did Saturday at the Gym which was also the location where the buses were located to shuttle you to your race location, it was different for the half and the full. Plenty of close free parking on campus. 8am race start and a perfect morning for running. Ran downhill then up hill to start then a fairly flat course with maybe 2 additional hills. I was tired from my Saturday race so I just did what I could. Plenty of water and Gatorade on the course! The crowd support was amazing the entire race! People were everywhere cheering on the runners. They seemed to have an over abundance of volunteers as we ran through the cemetery. Some of the race was on country roads with lots of shade and a little traffic, some on the open road with a little more traffic. There were also parts that were paved trails through parks. The announcer read a statement that you included during registration as you crossed the finish line. The after race area had a photo opportunity and my favorite chocolate milk! There were also cookies, veggie chili, yogurt, watermelon, oranges, bananas and apple juice. One bonus was being able to take a shower at the gym after the race! Water bottle, Long sleeve dri fit shirt, a little tote bag were the race swag.
Small town Big charm
You get busted up a mountain and a school awaits warm and sheltered. Plenty of outside ports potties. Gym to stretch in and do pre race rituals. The race director … MORE
You get busted up a mountain and a school awaits warm and sheltered. Plenty of outside ports potties. Gym to stretch in and do pre race rituals.
The race director gets on bus to ask if any one has questions he gives us last minute reminders. Invites us to church at start line a mile away to stay warm and minister performs a blessing. Also clean toilets and a kitchen to use. So comfortable.
Course well supported and amazing scenery. Oh my gosh this park we run through has amazing views. Plus the colors are all changing on the leaves.
Running at finish was great because seemed like everyone in town was there to cheer us on. I loved this race. Did not expect this.
Beautiful course!
If you want a good scenic trip on foot this is your race. It was a gorgeous route! The course was mostly flat with a few hills but only one … MORE
If you want a good scenic trip on foot this is your race. It was a gorgeous route! The course was mostly flat with a few hills but only one steep hill in the cemetery really stood out to me. I brought my family with me and we traveled from home in MA the evening before. I was unable to retrieve my race bib prior to raceday so I had to pick up at finish line day of. I found this to be inconvenient. I am unsure why race day pick up wouldn’t be at the starting line. I always give myself an hour but by the time I went to finish line then to starting line I only had 12min left before guntime. This was a good spectator course as it is an open course.
First Full Marathon - a success!
Clarence DeMar was my first full marathon. The experience was absolutely amazing! The area is beautiful with farms and country roads. The leaves were at peak it seemed, and as … MORE
Clarence DeMar was my first full marathon. The experience was absolutely amazing! The area is beautiful with farms and country roads. The leaves were at peak it seemed, and as we ran the leaves were coming down like confetti. There were lots of water stops with happy people and the locals were out helping as well. I felt greatful for one woman who supported me when I had to stop to stretch, offering me a water. It meant a lot! This event seems well supported by everyone and when we stayed at an Airbnb there were other runners there as well and our host was knowledgeable about the race. I must also add that my finisher photo was stellar!!! I highly recommend this race!