| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| H (°F) | 71 | 55 | 73 | 71 | 64 |
| L (°F) | 44 | 37 | 45 | 51 | 41 |
the expo was really nice, loved the route, it was different and enjoyable, the post party was nice and pretty large, my only gripe is the price of the photos, … MORE
the expo was really nice, loved the route, it was different and enjoyable, the post party was nice and pretty large, my only gripe is the price of the photos, 69.99 or 79.99 is way too much for downloads.
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High quality event. Flew in from Houston to get my Maryland race in the bag. BWI maybe 20 minutes away. Could easily Uber/Mass transit into the Baltimore area. Packet PU, … MORE
High quality event. Flew in from Houston to get my Maryland race in the bag. BWI maybe 20 minutes away. Could easily Uber/Mass transit into the Baltimore area. Packet PU, race event, and race hotels are all within the same area. Stayed at the Hampton Inn at Camden Yards and it was perfect.
The only negative is the late 1/2 marathon start time, 9:45am. I’m sure there’s a logistical reason for this, but for me personally this is way too late.
The Expo was of normal size for the number of participants. Participant shirt was an under armor, high quality long sleeve shirt. The shirts for sale were even better (as always), but it seems like they only had size Medium.
The crowd support along the way was superb, even on a cool misty morning. Volunteers and water stops were well supported.
For a race of this magnitude, it would have been nice for organizers to post where GU and snacks might be on the route. This would have helped in my mental planning.
Will I be coming back from HTown for this event, probably not. If I lived in the area I would definitely be a repeat.
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Expo was at the Baltimore convention center in the middle of downtown. Difficult to find cheap parking if driving; only $15 parking garages are around. I put my hazards on … MORE
Expo was at the Baltimore convention center in the middle of downtown. Difficult to find cheap parking if driving; only $15 parking garages are around. I put my hazards on and left my car on the curb while I dashed through the expo and picked up my bib + shirt in record time (under 3 minutes??) because I got there 6 minutes before closing. Would not recommend doing that.
I had ordered my packet to be mailed to me, and it never came. $25 down the drain. So I had to speed from Philly to Baltimore after work to get there before Friday 8pm.
Few complaints about the race itself, though. The race starts next to Camden Yards, the Orioles baseball stadium. The first 3 miles were a gradual uphill climb, and apparently mile 3 is the highest point on the course. We run into the Baltimore Zoo for two miles, then reenter the downtown around mile 7. We run past the harbor from miles 10-14, and run near a lake from miles 19-20. The last few miles are mostly through neighborhoods, before finishing near the harbor again.
The back half had almost as many fans as the front half, which is a rarity. A few water stands around mile 7-11 could have used more volunteers. It was raining most of the race, including a downpour around mile 11, and my mental health was poor, so I didn’t give my best effort out there.
I’m deducting one point for the race producers who decided to funnel the half marathoners back into the marathon pack around mile 15-16. Mass confusion ensued. Otherwise, it was a pretty decent mid-size city race.
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Although I probably wouldn't describe the town as charming. The race expo was at the convention center and had some of the usual gear and nutrition vendors, but it had … MORE
Although I probably wouldn’t describe the town as charming.
The race expo was at the convention center and had some of the usual gear and nutrition vendors, but it had a lot of race related memorabilia as well. The packet pick up was quick and easy. There was an option for everything to be mailed as well for a fee. It’s a nice option for those arriving late or those that don’t want to attend the expo.
One of the oddities of this race were the start times. The full marathon started at 8:00 from Camden Yards. The half started at 9:45 and was around the half-way point of the full marathon. They had a separate lane to pass through, but it added to the chaos a bit. There were no corrals for the half or pacers, so runners were to line up according to projected pace. Inevitably, you had a hand full of 2 hour runners near the front that needed to be dodged. It rained off and on throughout the race. You can’t control the weather, but I’ll take the rain over heat any day.
The start seemed a little disorganized. I couldn’t hear the national anthem, nor any count down to the start. Suddenly when it was time to start, people just started running.
The first several miles of the course are the toughest. There is a lot of up hill, it levels out a bit and then the last 3 miles are mostly downhill. You go through a lot of neighborhoods and finish at the inner harbor. Considering the weather, there were a lot of spectators along the course cheering you on.
There appeared to be plenty of aid stations offering water and sports drinks. I brought my own hydration and didn’t try anything on course. It looked like there were some gels as well as oranges and bananas.
The finish line had plenty of fare including apples, bananas, veggie chips, nutrigrain bars and gatorade. The medals were given out by the local police. Overall, it was a good race. The medal was a crab that opened to reveal the USS Constellation. It was cool and unique. The shirt was a nice, long-sleeved UA shirt, but it was a little plain. The inner harbor is a nice area and has stuff to do, but I wouldn’t venture too far away from that area.
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I was initially planning to run the much closer Hartford Half this weekend but I had a poor experience being over 3 hours at another one of their other races … MORE
I was initially planning to run the much closer Hartford Half this weekend but I had a poor experience being over 3 hours at another one of their other races and decided to transfer my registration and look for a more back of the pack friendly half today instead. I didn’t find any I was interested in doing in New England but expanded my search and saw this race had a 5 hour time limit and decided to go for it. Baltimore is super easy to travel to if you use Southwest as it is a hub. Even relatively last minute I found cheap, direct flights from Boston to Baltimore and the race is downtown so you don’t need to rent a car. Since I had to work Friday I opted to have my packet mailed so can’t comment on the expo. I received an update when it was sent and it arrived earlier in the week. Packet included bib and race shirt. The race shirt is a bit underwhelming. It is a nice quality Under Armour shirt but as another review said was kind of plain without the cute crab logo. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express about 1/2 mile from the start and I took a cab from the airport. Honestly, I never usually say this, but I found the staff there to be rude and incompetent and I wouldn’t stay there again. This race has an interesting set up where the marathoners start at 8am and the half marathoners start much later at 9:45. The course is set up so the half marathoners run a unique first 3 miles and then join the last 10 miles of the marathon. This set up allows the elite marathoners to not have to worry about half marathoners getting in the way. I have mixed feelings about the late start but I did think this was a great set up for a course with 2 distances. The late start meant I could sleep in which was great since I arrived late. But it could potentially also mean hot weather and I find late starts hard for fueling. The weather luckily was perfect temps for race day so the late start was fine weather wise but it was drizzling rain throughout the race. Never a downpour but it cause my sneakers to get wet and for my feet to get blisters. The race start was pretty well organized. The only issue is the start area is a bit chaotic as the full course goes nearby and there are different starts for the half and for the earlier shorter distances and a lot of roads barricaded off making it hard to maneuver around. Speaking of shorter distances another perk is there is a challenge to do the earlier 5K plus the half and get a challenge medal. If I were in better shape or not doing a half the next day I would have done this. The half marathon start corral is organized into waves. They said we would be assigned waves but it was a little unclear. Not sure if it was clearer if you went to the expo. There were 5 waves. I figured there would be a lot of back of packers and lined up at the back of wave 4 which seems correct. The race went off on time and it is overall an interesting but hilly course. It starts downtown and there is some cool architecture. At about mile 3 you join with the marathoners once we’ve spread out. The super fast marathoners had already passed so the marathoners we joined with were faster than us but not so much faster that it was an issue and eventually as the race went on and the marathoners grew more tired we were running the same pace as the marathoners. I’m not sure if the course set up affected the elite half marathoners but as the marathoners should have been well spread out and while they wouldn’t be running with elite marathoners they’d still be running with awfully fast marathoners I doubt it would affect them much. The course was extremely well marked and had mile markers and a few points where your splits were recorded. After downtown you go through neighborhoods. Some are nicer than others. All are very hilly. There is a nice section between miles 6 through 8 by a lake that is mostly flat. This is the perfect time for some flat running and the only flat part of the course. Then it is back and neighborhoods and hills and a picturesque finish at the inner harbor. The hills are rough but there is a ton of support. There were frequent aid stations and I loved that they had some real food like pretzels, granola bars and fruit since I get hungry at races that start so late. The aid stations never ran out of anything. There are also lots of unofficial aid stations. I was very impressed with spectator support. There were a ton of spectators despite the rain. I’m sure it is even better in nice weather. The finish area is great at the inner harbor. The medal is amazing and one of the main reasons along with the 5 hour time limit I wanted to do this race. It is a really cool crab design that opens up to a picture of a ship in the inner harbor. My finish time was fine. I was back over 3:20 but I was intentionally not pushing myself too hard on this race since I had another half tomorrow and I knew it was hilly. There was a solid post race food selection of chips, granola bars, fruit, fruit snacks and cow tales which I guess come from Maryland. There is also beer if you drink. I didn’t see any more savory, filling food but I didn’t really look as I went to Shake Shack again for a veggie burger and vegan shake right after. Second half in a row with a Shake Shack by the finish line. Other than the hills (which really weren’t too bad. It was much better than Vermont) and some sections of Baltimore not being the nicest, I have nothing really negative to say about this race. I would not recommend this race to BQ but if you are looking for a convenient, fun, back of the pack friendly race with a great medal do this one for Maryland. I will most likely come back and get another crab medal.
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Well organized expo and race. Half course was hillier than I expected. Ran through parts of the city and surrounding suburban areas. Passes by neat architecture in varying degrees of … MORE
Well organized expo and race. Half course was hillier than I expected. Ran through parts of the city and surrounding suburban areas. Passes by neat architecture in varying degrees of repair. Friendly spectators along pockets of the course. Well staffed water stops and finish in inner harbor with great photo opps. There was a finisher festival but our parking was running out of time. If you are staying in town consider paying for two days of parking up front because adding a few hours extra on race morning cost us $36 dollars. The Under Armour long sleeve shirts are nice quality but doesn’t have a crab on it. You’ll need to buy a shirt at the expo if you want that. The medal is really nice and handed out by police officers.
The city itself was nice during day light hours. I don’t think I’d walk around at night. We watched a rat walk across the sidewalk while eating our dinner and we saw a block barricaded from our hotel window the night before the race. We believe the disturbance that resulted in six lanes of traffic honking horns for two hours was a suspicious package in the street.
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If your idea of fun is running a very difficult city course with over 1,300 Ft in elevation gain with the majority of the gains in mile 15 to 22 … MORE
If your idea of fun is running a very difficult city course with over 1,300 Ft in elevation gain with the majority of the gains in mile 15 to 22 then this is your race 🙂 It rain off and on throughout the day so the crowds were on the light side however the spectators I saw were very enthusiastic. The rain wasn’t that bad as it kept me very comfortable while running. The Baltimore Police officers and Safety workers offered words of encouragement.
Pros: Free parking in the Baseball/Football stadium lots which are very close to the starting line
*Normally the race actually starts in the Orioles Baseball stadium however because the team made the playoff it was moved outside the stadium. We still had access to the bathroom in the stadium which was so nice.
*You run through the local zoo
*Post run festival is at the Inner Harbor which is beautiful
*The medal is the coolest crab EVER!
Cons:
*The hardest part of the course has the fewest spectator so you will have to dig deep if you are use to crowds pushing you forward.
*Prepare for the 1/2 mile walk back to your car:-)
*No protein at the finish just water, banana, pretzels,and fruit cup
Overall it was a nice race experience and I am so happy I ran with a friend.
In addition to the Marathon they also have a Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. I’m opting for the 10K next year. LOL!
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Baltimore Marathon ✅ (3:38) on that hilly beast of a course, ran another Boston Marathon Qualifying Time…that’s now 6 consecutive marathons weekends all within Boston Marathon standard time! The streak … MORE
Baltimore Marathon ✅ (3:38) on that hilly beast of a course, ran another Boston Marathon Qualifying Time…that’s now 6 consecutive marathons weekends all within Boston Marathon standard time! The streak continues! That course torn up my legs, so many hills, but was able to run Detroit the next day. One of my least favorite courses, but well organized and definitely a spectacular, unique medal with a great festival at the end! Honestly the best medal I have ever received, as I love how the crab opens up and displays the city!
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There are some HILLS in Baltimore. I do not live in a hilly area and even though I *tried* to train on the hills I could find, it was not … MORE
There are some HILLS in Baltimore. I do not live in a hilly area and even though I *tried* to train on the hills I could find, it was not enough to handle the long hill you hear everyone talking about.
The city comes out for this race, people are along the sidewalk or sitting on the porch to cheer for most of the race. None of the animals were out at the zoo in 2022, but usually the penguins are there.
The course is interesting, you run through many different parts of the city and it keeps it interesting. Zoo, neighborhoods, parks, downtown. You loop back at some point where the half marathon is starting, so it is a nice blast of energy going through the crowd again.
The course measured long, which is normal for zigzagging through crowds. I was hoping for a BQ and my measurement of 26.2 had me there, but my race time was 3 minutes short. Something to be aware of if that is your goal here!
The after party is fun and the medal was really cool, one of the coolest medals actually. The shirt is nothing special.
Bottomline: would recommend!
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This was by far the toughest course I've ever run, but the organization of Baltimore Running Fest makes the race and the whole weekend feel like an immersive experience for … MORE
This was by far the toughest course I’ve ever run, but the organization of Baltimore Running Fest makes the race and the whole weekend feel like an immersive experience for runners of all skill levels. This was a fun one, and I’d like to take on the challenge of this race again.
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This was my first time to Baltimore and traveled solo (no rental car). Getting to the race was easy by the train but was glad to have other runners with … MORE
This was my first time to Baltimore and traveled solo (no rental car). Getting to the race was easy by the train but was glad to have other runners with me. I stayed downtown at the Hilton. I only walked around Camden and the immediate area to get to the expo and Inner Harbor. Other than that I did not feel safe venturing too far away. The race itself had great execution. The medal was top notch and I like the UA long sleeve shirt. The course was hilly but not overly so. The zoo area was nice other than that I was not impressed. I have run some other larger city marathons and this one would be at the bottom of the list for scenery. Baltimore is a failing city and it is sad to see. I am not disappointed that I ran the race but it is not a race I would go back for. The finish line area was nice but nothing spectacular for post race food although you did get 2 beers included.
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Aid stations are excellent and spaced a good distance apart. One qualm was that they mixed up gatorade vs water cups so you had to rely on what the volunteers … MORE
Aid stations are excellent and spaced a good distance apart. One qualm was that they mixed up gatorade vs water cups so you had to rely on what the volunteers were yelling out. Also they switched up if gatorade was first vs. second.
The medal is by far the coolest I have received, it is a crab with a magnetic opening on the front similar to a locket.
The middle of the race was a bit tough with a large portion in the sun. I would highly suggest sunglasses and/or a hat to mitigate this.
Hills were not forgiving for the second half especially near the finish so make sure to not rush out at the start.
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Overall, I enjoyed this race and thought it was well organized (if not particularly personalized, e.g., not a lot of pre-race communication from anyone except the medical team wanting me … MORE
Overall, I enjoyed this race and thought it was well organized (if not particularly personalized, e.g., not a lot of pre-race communication from anyone except the medical team wanting me to fill out my race day emergency contact, stuff like that). The hills are no joke and the heat this past weekend was absolutely brutal (some stretches of the course have no shade at all, so a hat or lots of sunscreen on particularly sunny days is a must). The race field was incredibly diverse, the on-course support from spectators was top-notch, and the course itself wound through downtown Baltimore, which I appreciated as an out-of-towner. We got to see so much of the city! Plus, this medal is hands down the coolest one I’ve gotten so far.
Biggest complaints: the first water station was a hot mess (they had it behind barricades? Which you would’ve needed to realize a quarter mile back to run in the correct spot?). Not a fan, and it really set a bad tone for the remaining 10 miles on a very warm day. Also, the t-shirt is not impressive at all – which is only this disappointing because I was expecting big things, based on their partnership with Under Armour. However, both of these things are small potatoes, and I really did enjoy this race! You should sign up, especially if you’re looking to complete a run in MD.
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I had a great time running the Half Marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival in 2022! The city of Baltimore really goes all out and does an amazing job. Packet … MORE
I had a great time running the Half Marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival in 2022! The city of Baltimore really goes all out and does an amazing job. Packet pickup was very smooth and the health expo was good. The location right downtown on the Inner Harbor is a great place to host the festival. Kind of unusual to have all 4 races on the same day, but Baltimore really pulled it off. Now, this race was NOT easy. There are hills, serious hills. The inclines and declines can be rough. The scenery was great, got to ran through some really interesting neighborhoods. There were crowds cheering all along the way. Loved the swag and post-race. One of the best times I’ve had running yet!
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I got to see some amazing views of the lake, and the community support was top notch amazing. The medal is super cool, and will be looking at it a … MORE
I got to see some amazing views of the lake, and the community support was top notch amazing. The medal is super cool, and will be looking at it a lot
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The hills never end! At some point I was told the route was going to be flat but it was more like rolling hills. I mean I hate hills as … MORE
The hills never end! At some point I was told the route was going to be flat but it was more like rolling hills. I mean I hate hills as much as any runner does, but this was just a bit much for me!
The cracking crab medal was pretty cool and this was the first race I did since the pandemic started so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
I was underwhelmed by the penguin exhibit at the zoo that you apparently run past, as it was so small that I just ran right past it not knowing that was it. The course was good and lots of people came out to cheer on the runners.
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Was able to get to ballpark via easy metro trip from park and go lot near Ft Meade. (Avoid driving into town race day. Traffic can be a nightmare there.) … MORE
Was able to get to ballpark via easy metro trip from park and go lot near Ft Meade. (Avoid driving into town race day. Traffic can be a nightmare there.) Good crowd support. Hills not as bad as I thought they’d be… but definitely a factor for me. Good swag. Nice expo.
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Great course and views of the city. This course is hilly, maybe I missed that along the way, but there were definitely a number of hills. Loved that this takes … MORE
Great course and views of the city. This course is hilly, maybe I missed that along the way, but there were definitely a number of hills. Loved that this takes you through many interesting places of the city. The water stops were “cupless” and I felt there could have been a few more places for hydration along the way. The support from the community throughout the course was great. Definitely a fun race!
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The swag was great, Under Armor long sleeve and a beautiful crab medal! The post race party was fun with two free drinks, TONS of food, and a beautiful setting … MORE
The swag was great, Under Armor long sleeve and a beautiful crab medal! The post race party was fun with two free drinks, TONS of food, and a beautiful setting in the inner harbor. The course was beautiful but hillier than expected. Because of COVID there were no cups on the course, which was fine but it was communicated very well and we traveled from out of town without bringing a running water bottle. Also, even for a cup-less race, they could’ve used a few more water stops. The weather was very humid so hopefully next year is better!
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I wasn't prepared for how steep the hills are in Baltimore. Race production went smoothly for the most part. The expo wasn't as big as I was expecting, we moved … MORE
I wasn’t prepared for how steep the hills are in Baltimore. Race production went smoothly for the most part. The expo wasn’t as big as I was expecting, we moved through it quick and did a second loop around. The race needed more water stops with having to refill your own water bottle it was congested at the water stops and made it difficult to make it a smooth transition. I didn’t mind how we had to bring our own water bottle since I normally train with one and train how to refill it quickly. Overall, I enjoyed this race. I enjoyed the community atmosphere and everyone coming out of their houses to cheer along the course. I’m thankful we were able to compete in person.
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Nicer than what I expected
the expo was really nice, loved the route, it was different and enjoyable, the post party was nice and pretty large, my only gripe is the price of the photos, … MORE
the expo was really nice, loved the route, it was different and enjoyable, the post party was nice and pretty large, my only gripe is the price of the photos, 69.99 or 79.99 is way too much for downloads.
The view from the back of the pack
High quality event. Flew in from Houston to get my Maryland race in the bag. BWI maybe 20 minutes away. Could easily Uber/Mass transit into the Baltimore area. Packet PU, … MORE
High quality event. Flew in from Houston to get my Maryland race in the bag. BWI maybe 20 minutes away. Could easily Uber/Mass transit into the Baltimore area. Packet PU, race event, and race hotels are all within the same area. Stayed at the Hampton Inn at Camden Yards and it was perfect.
The only negative is the late 1/2 marathon start time, 9:45am. I’m sure there’s a logistical reason for this, but for me personally this is way too late.
The Expo was of normal size for the number of participants. Participant shirt was an under armor, high quality long sleeve shirt. The shirts for sale were even better (as always), but it seems like they only had size Medium.
The crowd support along the way was superb, even on a cool misty morning. Volunteers and water stops were well supported.
For a race of this magnitude, it would have been nice for organizers to post where GU and snacks might be on the route. This would have helped in my mental planning.
Will I be coming back from HTown for this event, probably not. If I lived in the area I would definitely be a repeat.
Left me wanting (Balti)more
Expo was at the Baltimore convention center in the middle of downtown. Difficult to find cheap parking if driving; only $15 parking garages are around. I put my hazards on … MORE
Expo was at the Baltimore convention center in the middle of downtown. Difficult to find cheap parking if driving; only $15 parking garages are around. I put my hazards on and left my car on the curb while I dashed through the expo and picked up my bib + shirt in record time (under 3 minutes??) because I got there 6 minutes before closing. Would not recommend doing that.
I had ordered my packet to be mailed to me, and it never came. $25 down the drain. So I had to speed from Philly to Baltimore after work to get there before Friday 8pm.
Few complaints about the race itself, though. The race starts next to Camden Yards, the Orioles baseball stadium. The first 3 miles were a gradual uphill climb, and apparently mile 3 is the highest point on the course. We run into the Baltimore Zoo for two miles, then reenter the downtown around mile 7. We run past the harbor from miles 10-14, and run near a lake from miles 19-20. The last few miles are mostly through neighborhoods, before finishing near the harbor again.
The back half had almost as many fans as the front half, which is a rarity. A few water stands around mile 7-11 could have used more volunteers. It was raining most of the race, including a downpour around mile 11, and my mental health was poor, so I didn’t give my best effort out there.
I’m deducting one point for the race producers who decided to funnel the half marathoners back into the marathon pack around mile 15-16. Mass confusion ensued. Otherwise, it was a pretty decent mid-size city race.
Hilly and wet tour of Charm City
Although I probably wouldn't describe the town as charming. The race expo was at the convention center and had some of the usual gear and nutrition vendors, but it had … MORE
Although I probably wouldn’t describe the town as charming.
The race expo was at the convention center and had some of the usual gear and nutrition vendors, but it had a lot of race related memorabilia as well. The packet pick up was quick and easy. There was an option for everything to be mailed as well for a fee. It’s a nice option for those arriving late or those that don’t want to attend the expo.
One of the oddities of this race were the start times. The full marathon started at 8:00 from Camden Yards. The half started at 9:45 and was around the half-way point of the full marathon. They had a separate lane to pass through, but it added to the chaos a bit. There were no corrals for the half or pacers, so runners were to line up according to projected pace. Inevitably, you had a hand full of 2 hour runners near the front that needed to be dodged. It rained off and on throughout the race. You can’t control the weather, but I’ll take the rain over heat any day.
The start seemed a little disorganized. I couldn’t hear the national anthem, nor any count down to the start. Suddenly when it was time to start, people just started running.
The first several miles of the course are the toughest. There is a lot of up hill, it levels out a bit and then the last 3 miles are mostly downhill. You go through a lot of neighborhoods and finish at the inner harbor. Considering the weather, there were a lot of spectators along the course cheering you on.
There appeared to be plenty of aid stations offering water and sports drinks. I brought my own hydration and didn’t try anything on course. It looked like there were some gels as well as oranges and bananas.
The finish line had plenty of fare including apples, bananas, veggie chips, nutrigrain bars and gatorade. The medals were given out by the local police. Overall, it was a good race. The medal was a crab that opened to reveal the USS Constellation. It was cool and unique. The shirt was a nice, long-sleeved UA shirt, but it was a little plain. The inner harbor is a nice area and has stuff to do, but I wouldn’t venture too far away from that area.
Don't let the hills make you crabby
I was initially planning to run the much closer Hartford Half this weekend but I had a poor experience being over 3 hours at another one of their other races … MORE
I was initially planning to run the much closer Hartford Half this weekend but I had a poor experience being over 3 hours at another one of their other races and decided to transfer my registration and look for a more back of the pack friendly half today instead. I didn’t find any I was interested in doing in New England but expanded my search and saw this race had a 5 hour time limit and decided to go for it. Baltimore is super easy to travel to if you use Southwest as it is a hub. Even relatively last minute I found cheap, direct flights from Boston to Baltimore and the race is downtown so you don’t need to rent a car. Since I had to work Friday I opted to have my packet mailed so can’t comment on the expo. I received an update when it was sent and it arrived earlier in the week. Packet included bib and race shirt. The race shirt is a bit underwhelming. It is a nice quality Under Armour shirt but as another review said was kind of plain without the cute crab logo. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express about 1/2 mile from the start and I took a cab from the airport. Honestly, I never usually say this, but I found the staff there to be rude and incompetent and I wouldn’t stay there again. This race has an interesting set up where the marathoners start at 8am and the half marathoners start much later at 9:45. The course is set up so the half marathoners run a unique first 3 miles and then join the last 10 miles of the marathon. This set up allows the elite marathoners to not have to worry about half marathoners getting in the way. I have mixed feelings about the late start but I did think this was a great set up for a course with 2 distances. The late start meant I could sleep in which was great since I arrived late. But it could potentially also mean hot weather and I find late starts hard for fueling. The weather luckily was perfect temps for race day so the late start was fine weather wise but it was drizzling rain throughout the race. Never a downpour but it cause my sneakers to get wet and for my feet to get blisters. The race start was pretty well organized. The only issue is the start area is a bit chaotic as the full course goes nearby and there are different starts for the half and for the earlier shorter distances and a lot of roads barricaded off making it hard to maneuver around. Speaking of shorter distances another perk is there is a challenge to do the earlier 5K plus the half and get a challenge medal. If I were in better shape or not doing a half the next day I would have done this. The half marathon start corral is organized into waves. They said we would be assigned waves but it was a little unclear. Not sure if it was clearer if you went to the expo. There were 5 waves. I figured there would be a lot of back of packers and lined up at the back of wave 4 which seems correct. The race went off on time and it is overall an interesting but hilly course. It starts downtown and there is some cool architecture. At about mile 3 you join with the marathoners once we’ve spread out. The super fast marathoners had already passed so the marathoners we joined with were faster than us but not so much faster that it was an issue and eventually as the race went on and the marathoners grew more tired we were running the same pace as the marathoners. I’m not sure if the course set up affected the elite half marathoners but as the marathoners should have been well spread out and while they wouldn’t be running with elite marathoners they’d still be running with awfully fast marathoners I doubt it would affect them much. The course was extremely well marked and had mile markers and a few points where your splits were recorded. After downtown you go through neighborhoods. Some are nicer than others. All are very hilly. There is a nice section between miles 6 through 8 by a lake that is mostly flat. This is the perfect time for some flat running and the only flat part of the course. Then it is back and neighborhoods and hills and a picturesque finish at the inner harbor. The hills are rough but there is a ton of support. There were frequent aid stations and I loved that they had some real food like pretzels, granola bars and fruit since I get hungry at races that start so late. The aid stations never ran out of anything. There are also lots of unofficial aid stations. I was very impressed with spectator support. There were a ton of spectators despite the rain. I’m sure it is even better in nice weather. The finish area is great at the inner harbor. The medal is amazing and one of the main reasons along with the 5 hour time limit I wanted to do this race. It is a really cool crab design that opens up to a picture of a ship in the inner harbor. My finish time was fine. I was back over 3:20 but I was intentionally not pushing myself too hard on this race since I had another half tomorrow and I knew it was hilly. There was a solid post race food selection of chips, granola bars, fruit, fruit snacks and cow tales which I guess come from Maryland. There is also beer if you drink. I didn’t see any more savory, filling food but I didn’t really look as I went to Shake Shack again for a veggie burger and vegan shake right after. Second half in a row with a Shake Shack by the finish line. Other than the hills (which really weren’t too bad. It was much better than Vermont) and some sections of Baltimore not being the nicest, I have nothing really negative to say about this race. I would not recommend this race to BQ but if you are looking for a convenient, fun, back of the pack friendly race with a great medal do this one for Maryland. I will most likely come back and get another crab medal.
Hills hills and hills
Well organized expo and race. Half course was hillier than I expected. Ran through parts of the city and surrounding suburban areas. Passes by neat architecture in varying degrees of … MORE
Well organized expo and race. Half course was hillier than I expected. Ran through parts of the city and surrounding suburban areas. Passes by neat architecture in varying degrees of repair. Friendly spectators along pockets of the course. Well staffed water stops and finish in inner harbor with great photo opps. There was a finisher festival but our parking was running out of time. If you are staying in town consider paying for two days of parking up front because adding a few hours extra on race morning cost us $36 dollars. The Under Armour long sleeve shirts are nice quality but doesn’t have a crab on it. You’ll need to buy a shirt at the expo if you want that. The medal is really nice and handed out by police officers.
The city itself was nice during day light hours. I don’t think I’d walk around at night. We watched a rat walk across the sidewalk while eating our dinner and we saw a block barricaded from our hotel window the night before the race. We believe the disturbance that resulted in six lanes of traffic honking horns for two hours was a suspicious package in the street.
Rainy, Windy, and Difficult Course 2023
If your idea of fun is running a very difficult city course with over 1,300 Ft in elevation gain with the majority of the gains in mile 15 to 22 … MORE
If your idea of fun is running a very difficult city course with over 1,300 Ft in elevation gain with the majority of the gains in mile 15 to 22 then this is your race 🙂 It rain off and on throughout the day so the crowds were on the light side however the spectators I saw were very enthusiastic. The rain wasn’t that bad as it kept me very comfortable while running. The Baltimore Police officers and Safety workers offered words of encouragement.
Pros: Free parking in the Baseball/Football stadium lots which are very close to the starting line
*Normally the race actually starts in the Orioles Baseball stadium however because the team made the playoff it was moved outside the stadium. We still had access to the bathroom in the stadium which was so nice.
*You run through the local zoo
*Post run festival is at the Inner Harbor which is beautiful
*The medal is the coolest crab EVER!
Cons:
*The hardest part of the course has the fewest spectator so you will have to dig deep if you are use to crowds pushing you forward.
*Prepare for the 1/2 mile walk back to your car:-)
*No protein at the finish just water, banana, pretzels,and fruit cup
Overall it was a nice race experience and I am so happy I ran with a friend.
In addition to the Marathon they also have a Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. I’m opting for the 10K next year. LOL!
HILLS GALORE, AWESOME MEDAL
Baltimore Marathon ✅ (3:38) on that hilly beast of a course, ran another Boston Marathon Qualifying Time…that’s now 6 consecutive marathons weekends all within Boston Marathon standard time! The streak … MORE
Baltimore Marathon ✅ (3:38) on that hilly beast of a course, ran another Boston Marathon Qualifying Time…that’s now 6 consecutive marathons weekends all within Boston Marathon standard time! The streak continues! That course torn up my legs, so many hills, but was able to run Detroit the next day. One of my least favorite courses, but well organized and definitely a spectacular, unique medal with a great festival at the end! Honestly the best medal I have ever received, as I love how the crab opens up and displays the city!
Hilly, interesting course - recommend
There are some HILLS in Baltimore. I do not live in a hilly area and even though I *tried* to train on the hills I could find, it was not … MORE
There are some HILLS in Baltimore. I do not live in a hilly area and even though I *tried* to train on the hills I could find, it was not enough to handle the long hill you hear everyone talking about.
The city comes out for this race, people are along the sidewalk or sitting on the porch to cheer for most of the race. None of the animals were out at the zoo in 2022, but usually the penguins are there.
The course is interesting, you run through many different parts of the city and it keeps it interesting. Zoo, neighborhoods, parks, downtown. You loop back at some point where the half marathon is starting, so it is a nice blast of energy going through the crowd again.
The course measured long, which is normal for zigzagging through crowds. I was hoping for a BQ and my measurement of 26.2 had me there, but my race time was 3 minutes short. Something to be aware of if that is your goal here!
The after party is fun and the medal was really cool, one of the coolest medals actually. The shirt is nothing special.
Bottomline: would recommend!
Tough race but very well organized
This was by far the toughest course I've ever run, but the organization of Baltimore Running Fest makes the race and the whole weekend feel like an immersive experience for … MORE
This was by far the toughest course I’ve ever run, but the organization of Baltimore Running Fest makes the race and the whole weekend feel like an immersive experience for runners of all skill levels. This was a fun one, and I’d like to take on the challenge of this race again.
Good race production but city is ugh
This was my first time to Baltimore and traveled solo (no rental car). Getting to the race was easy by the train but was glad to have other runners with … MORE
This was my first time to Baltimore and traveled solo (no rental car). Getting to the race was easy by the train but was glad to have other runners with me. I stayed downtown at the Hilton. I only walked around Camden and the immediate area to get to the expo and Inner Harbor. Other than that I did not feel safe venturing too far away. The race itself had great execution. The medal was top notch and I like the UA long sleeve shirt. The course was hilly but not overly so. The zoo area was nice other than that I was not impressed. I have run some other larger city marathons and this one would be at the bottom of the list for scenery. Baltimore is a failing city and it is sad to see. I am not disappointed that I ran the race but it is not a race I would go back for. The finish line area was nice but nothing spectacular for post race food although you did get 2 beers included.
A beautiful day to see Baltimore
Aid stations are excellent and spaced a good distance apart. One qualm was that they mixed up gatorade vs water cups so you had to rely on what the volunteers … MORE
Aid stations are excellent and spaced a good distance apart. One qualm was that they mixed up gatorade vs water cups so you had to rely on what the volunteers were yelling out. Also they switched up if gatorade was first vs. second.
The medal is by far the coolest I have received, it is a crab with a magnetic opening on the front similar to a locket.
The middle of the race was a bit tough with a large portion in the sun. I would highly suggest sunglasses and/or a hat to mitigate this.
Hills were not forgiving for the second half especially near the finish so make sure to not rush out at the start.
Difficult, but best medal yet!
Overall, I enjoyed this race and thought it was well organized (if not particularly personalized, e.g., not a lot of pre-race communication from anyone except the medical team wanting me … MORE
Overall, I enjoyed this race and thought it was well organized (if not particularly personalized, e.g., not a lot of pre-race communication from anyone except the medical team wanting me to fill out my race day emergency contact, stuff like that). The hills are no joke and the heat this past weekend was absolutely brutal (some stretches of the course have no shade at all, so a hat or lots of sunscreen on particularly sunny days is a must). The race field was incredibly diverse, the on-course support from spectators was top-notch, and the course itself wound through downtown Baltimore, which I appreciated as an out-of-towner. We got to see so much of the city! Plus, this medal is hands down the coolest one I’ve gotten so far.
Biggest complaints: the first water station was a hot mess (they had it behind barricades? Which you would’ve needed to realize a quarter mile back to run in the correct spot?). Not a fan, and it really set a bad tone for the remaining 10 miles on a very warm day. Also, the t-shirt is not impressive at all – which is only this disappointing because I was expecting big things, based on their partnership with Under Armour. However, both of these things are small potatoes, and I really did enjoy this race! You should sign up, especially if you’re looking to complete a run in MD.
Baltimore really goes all out!
I had a great time running the Half Marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival in 2022! The city of Baltimore really goes all out and does an amazing job. Packet … MORE
I had a great time running the Half Marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival in 2022! The city of Baltimore really goes all out and does an amazing job. Packet pickup was very smooth and the health expo was good. The location right downtown on the Inner Harbor is a great place to host the festival. Kind of unusual to have all 4 races on the same day, but Baltimore really pulled it off. Now, this race was NOT easy. There are hills, serious hills. The inclines and declines can be rough. The scenery was great, got to ran through some really interesting neighborhoods. There were crowds cheering all along the way. Loved the swag and post-race. One of the best times I’ve had running yet!
My race review
I got to see some amazing views of the lake, and the community support was top notch amazing. The medal is super cool, and will be looking at it a … MORE
I got to see some amazing views of the lake, and the community support was top notch amazing. The medal is super cool, and will be looking at it a lot
So many hills!
The hills never end! At some point I was told the route was going to be flat but it was more like rolling hills. I mean I hate hills as … MORE
The hills never end! At some point I was told the route was going to be flat but it was more like rolling hills. I mean I hate hills as much as any runner does, but this was just a bit much for me!
The cracking crab medal was pretty cool and this was the first race I did since the pandemic started so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
I was underwhelmed by the penguin exhibit at the zoo that you apparently run past, as it was so small that I just ran right past it not knowing that was it. The course was good and lots of people came out to cheer on the runners.
Worth the trip
Was able to get to ballpark via easy metro trip from park and go lot near Ft Meade. (Avoid driving into town race day. Traffic can be a nightmare there.) … MORE
Was able to get to ballpark via easy metro trip from park and go lot near Ft Meade. (Avoid driving into town race day. Traffic can be a nightmare there.) Good crowd support. Hills not as bad as I thought they’d be… but definitely a factor for me. Good swag. Nice expo.
Baltimore Blast
Great course and views of the city. This course is hilly, maybe I missed that along the way, but there were definitely a number of hills. Loved that this takes … MORE
Great course and views of the city. This course is hilly, maybe I missed that along the way, but there were definitely a number of hills. Loved that this takes you through many interesting places of the city. The water stops were “cupless” and I felt there could have been a few more places for hydration along the way. The support from the community throughout the course was great. Definitely a fun race!
The swag was awesome!
The swag was great, Under Armor long sleeve and a beautiful crab medal! The post race party was fun with two free drinks, TONS of food, and a beautiful setting … MORE
The swag was great, Under Armor long sleeve and a beautiful crab medal! The post race party was fun with two free drinks, TONS of food, and a beautiful setting in the inner harbor. The course was beautiful but hillier than expected. Because of COVID there were no cups on the course, which was fine but it was communicated very well and we traveled from out of town without bringing a running water bottle. Also, even for a cup-less race, they could’ve used a few more water stops. The weather was very humid so hopefully next year is better!
Hills Elevation Hills Elevation....
I wasn't prepared for how steep the hills are in Baltimore. Race production went smoothly for the most part. The expo wasn't as big as I was expecting, we moved … MORE
I wasn’t prepared for how steep the hills are in Baltimore. Race production went smoothly for the most part. The expo wasn’t as big as I was expecting, we moved through it quick and did a second loop around. The race needed more water stops with having to refill your own water bottle it was congested at the water stops and made it difficult to make it a smooth transition. I didn’t mind how we had to bring our own water bottle since I normally train with one and train how to refill it quickly. Overall, I enjoyed this race. I enjoyed the community atmosphere and everyone coming out of their houses to cheer along the course. I’m thankful we were able to compete in person.