Baystate Marathon & Half Marathon
Lowell, MA
- Marathon, Half Marathon, Half Marathon Relay
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
For runners – by runners. Our goal is to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon. Whether you are a novice or seasoned veteran – your best chance to run a qualifying time is with us. We annually qualify 25% of our race field and consistently rank in the top … MORE
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Great First Time Marathon
The race was organized and run efficiently. The scenery was great, and the course overall was very manageable. Aid stations were well run and had plenty of supplies at each … MORE
The race was organized and run efficiently. The scenery was great, and the course overall was very manageable. Aid stations were well run and had plenty of supplies at each table.
PR course! Would run again!
Things I loved: mild PR-friendly course with a few rolling hills to mix it up, excellent pacer leading the 3:40 group, able to stay warm inside the Tsongas Center until … MORE
Things I loved: mild PR-friendly course with a few rolling hills to mix it up, excellent pacer leading the 3:40 group, able to stay warm inside the Tsongas Center until 5 mins before start, bag drop with easy pick up at finish, good water/gatorade stops, great for spectators especially Rourke bridge area
Needs improvement: unpleasant 4-5 mile stretch of Middlesex Road (run 2x) crams runners onto the shoulder of a busy open road, bad traffic getting out of the finish area
Flat course good production major issue
Flat, fast course with no crowding, small crowds, and easy start/finish line access makes for a low stress race and high PR potential at this race. My only gripe was … MORE
Flat, fast course with no crowding, small crowds, and easy start/finish line access makes for a low stress race and high PR potential at this race.
My only gripe was there was a bit of dysfunction that I’d like to see fixed:
– Only like 8-10 porta potties at the start, wating in line for > 20 mins at a small race is too long
– Aid stations were a bit of a mess if you were in a bigger group but once things thinned out they were fine
– At one point in the part of the course after you cross back from the other side of the river, there was traffic in the middle of the course?? Was odd.
And my biggest issue:
– At mile 12.8ish (I ran the half marathon) at the FINAL turn there was nobody directing the half marathoners who were on their second lap (who should turn left) vs. the half marathon relayers (who should turn right) and I took a right turn with a couple people because that is what we had done last lap… After my watch hit 13.4 miles I realized I had taken a wrong turn but by then it was way too late so I just turned around and walked it in. After realizing this, I asked several volunteers and no one could tell me which way to go. It was very very frustrating.
Well-run race and solid course
Great race logistically. Clear pre-race communication. Easy to park, easy check-in and awesome support for the runners at all the water stations along the way. Plan to do it again! MORE
Great race logistically. Clear pre-race communication. Easy to park, easy check-in and awesome support for the runners at all the water stations along the way. Plan to do it again!
Amazing First Marathon Experience
A beautiful, flat course with plenty of opportunity of encouragement from spectators. I would recommend this race to anyone looking for a well run, but not overcrowded fall marathon. MORE
A beautiful, flat course with plenty of opportunity of encouragement from spectators. I would recommend this race to anyone looking for a well run, but not overcrowded fall marathon.
Need more porta potties at mile 4 !!!!
The race was great. Only issue was at the 4 mile mark there were not enough porta potties. A line there took a few mins. Overall a positive experience. I … MORE
The race was great. Only issue was at the 4 mile mark there were not enough porta potties. A line there took a few mins. Overall a positive experience. I would recommend. Tacky finish medal (just my opinion and certainly not a big deal).
Great time but............
As a first-time runner in this race, it was an excellent experience. The organization volunteers everything except getting out of the parking garage, which took almost two hours. People got … MORE
As a first-time runner in this race, it was an excellent experience. The organization volunteers everything except getting out of the parking garage, which took almost two hours. People got out of their cars and walked around. I am sure people were trying to avoid getting stiff and sore, so they walked around. Unfortunately, I will not park in the garage next year and risk my car on the streets of Lowell.
2 Loops, No Problem
Packet pickup was a smooth process that took place in the rec center. Swag options were limited, but the volunteers were plentiful and helpful. I learned in advance to had … MORE
Packet pickup was a smooth process that took place in the rec center. Swag options were limited, but the volunteers were plentiful and helpful. I learned in advance to had $5 cash to park in the preferred George Ayotte Parking Facility and to arrive early and I had no issues there. The weather was great and there were plenty of port-a-potties at the start. The starting line separated the half and full runners. Once the race began we took off together and there were clear markings for where each race would need to turn. There was good crowd support and I got a lot of nice pictures along the course and finish line. I was pleased with my finish time considering I ran a half in a different state the day before. I was overjoyed by the 4 types of soup, chips fruit, and other snacks for finishers. The finish area had plenty of amazing photo opportunities with beautiful fall landscaping. Now here’s where the review takes a negative turn. I arrived back at the parking garage and had no issues getting to my car and I backed out of my space and sat for about 45 minutes in the same area and then an additional 45 minutes snaking out of the garage. I was only on the 2nd floor, but traffic was gridlocked. I had a flight out of Hartford and was able to fill the tank, drop off the car, get to security, only to see that the door was closed at my gate. Had I not been stuck for 90 minutes, I would’ve made my flight. I was rebooked the next morning. But, I was so frustrated about the sitting. Even if I’d been a local, that was a ridiculously exceptional amount of time to get stuck in the garage. Anyway, onward and upward. The race itself was fine.
Well-organized small-city race
Race was really well organized and smooth, from pre-race communication, start/finish area, water stops, etc. Course is flat, easy and pleasant - decent crowd support throughout. Only complaint would be … MORE
Race was really well organized and smooth, from pre-race communication, start/finish area, water stops, etc. Course is flat, easy and pleasant – decent crowd support throughout. Only complaint would be the long bathroom lines at the start – next year rent 50% more port-a-potties!
First 1/2 Marathon Completed!
Great race to run especially as a first timer! Not many hills, enough water and Gatorade stops and clear instructions. Would recommend arriving early the morning of since we had … MORE
Great race to run especially as a first timer! Not many hills, enough water and Gatorade stops and clear instructions. Would recommend arriving early the morning of since we had to go to two different lots to find parking and wait a bit to use the bathrooms. But other than that race was such a great experience, amazing vibes and so much motivation!
Extremely well run event
Relatively flat course. Good race to PR. Easy to access parking and excellent support along the course. Good food at the finish. One of my favorites. MORE
Relatively flat course. Good race to PR. Easy to access parking and excellent support along the course. Good food at the finish. One of my favorites.
A well-run marathon I'll do again.
Having run 14 marathons spanning New England, Florida and Vancouver -- from small to mid-size (no majors yet) -- this is the one I'd return to in a heartbeat, even … MORE
Having run 14 marathons spanning New England, Florida and Vancouver — from small to mid-size (no majors yet) — this is the one I’d return to in a heartbeat, even though the pretty-in-parts course is largely unscenic.
The course is flat and the time of year makes it terrific for BQing. GREAT organization! Plenty of porta-potties before, during and after the race. Regular and ample aid stations. Knowledgeable volunteers – everywhere. Excellent website and pre- and post-race communication!
Flat, fast course and well-organized.
This is my second marathon - I was seeking a flat, fast course with cool weather in pursuit of a BQ. Baystate met all these criteria and I and my … MORE
This is my second marathon – I was seeking a flat, fast course with cool weather in pursuit of a BQ. Baystate met all these criteria and I and my family had a great race day. The event is well-organized – check-in was smooth and fast and there were lots of volunteers around to answer questions.
The course itself was flat and fast. I especially liked that some of the tougher stretches of the race took place on long downhill stretches. There are plenty of well-run aid stations throughout the course too.
One other cool aspect of the race: There are photographers positioned throughout the course and you receive a great set of race photos afterwards.
Weather was great for running – started a little cool and eventually warmed up towards the end of the race. I ran the race in just a tanktop and shorts and was never felt too cold. Although the temperatures rose by the end of the race, I never felt overheated either.
Changing tents
Great race overall. The changing tents were a good idea but they were too small and need a stool. I almost fell down trying to change my pants. Otherwise the … MORE
Great race overall. The changing tents were a good idea but they were too small and need a stool. I almost fell down trying to change my pants. Otherwise the swag was great, the recovery food was great. The bag check was a bit disorganized.
Great experience
This race was well organized from the water stops, to the friendly help along the way, the course itself, supported by police to ensure safety and beautiful fall foliage. MORE
This race was well organized from the water stops, to the friendly help along the way, the course itself, supported by police to ensure safety and beautiful fall foliage.
Love this race and course
I've run both the marathon and half many times and would recommend this race for anyone looking for a BQ, PR, or is just looking for a great fall race. … MORE
I’ve run both the marathon and half many times and would recommend this race for anyone looking for a BQ, PR, or is just looking for a great fall race. The race is entirely run by the Greater Lowell Roadrunners and they do a wonderful job!
Always a great race!
Everything about this race is always top notch, very well managed. I especially enjoy the course being pretty mild. I have one issue I am still hoping will get fixed. … MORE
Everything about this race is always top notch, very well managed. I especially enjoy the course being pretty mild. I have one issue I am still hoping will get fixed. The relay results have still not been broken into divisions. This needs to be fixed, A runner always wants to know how they did against their peers.
Great marathon course
Great team of volunteers running the event, plenty of water stations and great fuel provided on the course. Easy course format that’s flat and has amazing fall views. MORE
Great team of volunteers running the event, plenty of water stations and great fuel provided on the course. Easy course format that’s flat and has amazing fall views.
Great local race
Very well done for an easy race. It was 35 degrees at the gun, 75 when I finished. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I'll be back next year looking … MORE
Very well done for an easy race. It was 35 degrees at the gun, 75 when I finished. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I’ll be back next year looking for a PR!
Great course and very organized
This is the perfect race for a PR in the half marathon. The course is mostly flat with gently rolling hills and a lot of spectators cheering you on when … MORE
This is the perfect race for a PR in the half marathon. The course is mostly flat with gently rolling hills and a lot of spectators cheering you on when you need it most. The entire route is well supported with water stops and aid stations. My first marathon (and road race) was the baystate marathon in 2022 and now that I’ve done a number of races, I really like that the parking garage is close to the start line and accessibility is not impacted by road closures due to the race. I highly recommend this race to anyone considering a half for full fall marathon.