Cheap Marathon & Half Marathon
Derry, NH
- Marathon, Half Marathon
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The New England running community has so many great events to choose from throughout the year. We understand that costs for many these races tend to be on the higher side as the overall production budgets have increased. We’ve decided to bring an event that strips down many of the … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Apr 03):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 62 | 53 | 45 | 57 | 51 |
| L (°F) | 34 | 35 | 35 | 24 | 30 |
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Another Year. Another Lousy Ribbon.
This is one of my favorite local half marathons. It is produced by Millennium Running who always do a great job. This was my 5th year running this race as … MORE
This is one of my favorite local half marathons. It is produced by Millennium Running who always do a great job. This was my 5th year running this race as I love it so much I keep coming back. This year the course was slightly different but it was the same basic format on the same rail trail system only located even closer to where I live. Due to construction the course was moved from Derry to Windham which is a little bit south of Derry and the town next to mine. Pre race communication is excellent. The race uses a time trial format so runners leave 2 at a time based on predicted pace every few seconds so the race is never crowded and you can find your pace right away. The marathoners go first and half marathoners second. The marathon is the half marathon course twice. Since I’m not very fast I was one of the later half marathoners. After 1 hour of sleep before my race last weekend, I got so much sleep starting close to 10am and having the race parking only a 7-8 minute drive from me. You could either pay extra for VIP parking at the race site or park off site and take a shuttle. The off-site was actually closer to where I live so I didn’t pay extra. Shuttles were very smooth and efficient. Bib pick up is easy as you are assigned a bib before hand. Since the runners don’t all start at the same time, the porta potties and bib pick-up etc never have long lines. It is very clear when and where to line up. I started the race just a couple minutes behind when it said I would. While the course was changed it was very similar to the course in Derry. There is a small section on road to get to the rail trail. It is downhill to start which means it again ends on a hill, the only hill. The rail trail is nice and flat though there are some slight inclines and declines. This is the fastest type of course for me. This new course has more inclines the first half and more declines the second half which also helps with speed as you barely notice the incline with fresh legs and have the decline when your legs are tired and need it more. It is well produced. It again used descending mile markers like Easter States with how much is left so the mile markers are the same for the half and the full. Again I really loved this. There were 3 aid stations you passed twice. All the road crossings were very self with course marshals stopping traffic and the turn around was super obvious with a timing mat and couldn’t be missed. It’s hard to have a lot of spectators along the course but there are a bunch at intersections and aid stations. I was super fast today with a pace close to a 12 minute mile. I thought I had a chance to break that elusive 2:40 barrier. But alas the hill at the end stopped me and I was a couple seconds over 2:40 but it was a tie for my fastest half since I got injured in 2021. There is no medal but you get the same funny “lousy” ribbon. There are basic post races snacks and the shuttle was there for me and left promptly to bring me to my car. Overall I love this race. It is such as fast and easy course and so well organized. I already signed up for next year which is good because it is only cheap if you sign up right away. I signed up as soon as registration opened and paid $26.21 but it gets progressively more expensive and so many people have registered I think it is now $79.99 so it’s not longer cheap. But I’d still recommend it for that price. I definitely recommend this race to locals and ss long as you don’t mind a “lousy ribbon” instead of a medal, I would recommend it to 50 staters. It’s also a great PR or BQ course.
Cheap Marathon, Huge Value
The Race: On a rail trail, narrow paths lead to creative engineering at the start. Support was water and Gatorade every three miles or so, yet you can bring your … MORE
The Race: On a rail trail, narrow paths lead to creative engineering at the start. Support was water and Gatorade every three miles or so, yet you can bring your own hydration with you. It’s an out-and-back which marathoners have to loop twice. There is gradual grade, and despite efforts to state it’s a “flat course,” there was definite sensation of going uphill both ways. The road section at the end does have an uphill, which takes some effort, but is quite short.
What Worked: Thought the start was a quirky time-trail “drag race” format, the organizers worked really hard to simplify it. A livestream two days beforehand explains the format and is open to Q&A. Necessary to relieve congestion for the rail trail, I found it to be one of the most unique charms. That your name shows up in bright lights beforehand is a surprise and delight in terms of value. Picking up bib and swag the day before was simple, no frills. Bag check day of race similarly was simple, just make sure you’re packing in something that can withstand the elements. On-course water and gatorade was well supplied, and you can bring your own hydration, which helps.
What Could Be Better: Honestly, not much. Effort was clear to keep crowding to a minimum, just be sure you gotta be where you gotta be when you gotta be there. I definitely spotted a few runners at the start who were confused where to go, yet the cones were marked – watch that video pre-race! Parking was plentiful, yet you will need more time than what they suggest to find a space. The lot next to the finish chute was full by 6:40am. All that said, the course was not quite as flat as advertised – it featured one long rolling hill on the out and back – it was not taking too much effort to traverse. Also, “swag” was the finish ribbon. T-shirts are also available at a competitively priced $20. I rate the “Swag” five-stars for this race because you get what they state you get, and you have plenty of opportunity to purchase more *if* you want, otherwise you’re keeping the cost and waste down if you don’t… that ribbon is hilariously fantastic and unique.
TL;DNR: Like it says on the tin, the Cheap Marathon is inexpensive yet high value. Many surprise and delight moments in production, the course was on the easy side. Just be honest about your expected pace during registration!
One of My Favorite Local Races
This is a cheap half or full marathon produced by Millennium Running. Basically if you sign up right away it is $26.20 but it does get progressively more expensive closer … MORE
This is a cheap half or full marathon produced by Millennium Running. Basically if you sign up right away it is $26.20 but it does get progressively more expensive closer to the race so it may not be as cheap if you sign up last minute. Also it gets sold out every year since it is not just one of my favorite local races so don’t wait until last minute to sign up. This was my fourth year doing the race and it has been exactly the same with the time trial format, being emailed your time to arrive at parking, time to enter corral and time to start race. Again the half marathoners park at a park and ride and take a shuttle. It is the same mostly flat and quite scenic course along a rail trail with a surprising amount of spectators along intersections and three aid stations you pass twice with a slightly too long a gap between the second and third aid stations that you can forgive Millennium Running for since you paid so little and at the end the same funny ribbon instead of a finisher medal and the same pretty generic but fair post-race snacks for a cheap race (which was a better selection than the much more expensive Love Run). A few updates about this year. They were a little more off than usual with the start times and I started about 10-15 minutes later than my assigned time. I thought my afternoon plans were going to be a little tight with the late start but luckily I was extra fast today. My back is just about healed from that slip in the ice and I’m fully recovered from racing up the mountain in Argentina so I ended up running 15 minutes faster than I thought I would. My goal was to finish under 3 hours but I managed to finish in 2:46. I was 0.1 seconds faster than Clearwater so this was my fastest half of the year so far by literally a fraction of a second. I will continue to do this race every year I can and definitely recommend it to locals and those looking to PR or BQ. It wouldn’t be my first choice for 50 staters due to the lack of a finisher medal but if are a 50 stater who doesn’t care about medals I would recommend it.
One of My Favorite Local Races
Even though this is cheap, it is one of my favorite local races and this is my third time doing this half marathon. The race was pretty much exactly the … MORE
Even though this is cheap, it is one of my favorite local races and this is my third time doing this half marathon. The race was pretty much exactly the same all 3 times so I will keep this review short as you can see my prior reviews for details. This is produced by Millennium Running and production is excellent and it is very back of the pack friendly. This year the race was postponed two weeks due to a storm in early April but there was clear communication and very fair offers for changing to virtual or for 100% race credit with Millennium. The new date worked well for me as while I was registered for a different half marathon on April 20, it had a 3 hour time limit and I was considering skipping it so was very happy to do the Cheap Half Marathon instead. The new date also worked for my dad. But a word of caution if you plan to do this race. It is very cheap if you register right away. It costs only $26.21 for the first 100 registrants but last minute registration for my dad was not cheap at $80 so if you want to do this register early. Everything race day went very smooth and there was no changes from my prior reviews. The shuttles were very efficient which was great after the mess at Newport. My dad was impressed with how well organized the shuttles from the parking area were and the amount of spectators for a race like this. I was also very happy that I was faster than usual and finished under my goal of 3:15. The only downside is you only get a ribbon at the end instead of a medal but it is a funny ribbon. As long as swag is not a big deal for you, I would highly recommend this race. I am already signed up for next year!
Perfection
If you're looking for a small, well-run, no frills race, this is for you. The race is called the Cheap Marathon so you don't get a medal and you pay … MORE
If you’re looking for a small, well-run, no frills race, this is for you. The race is called the Cheap Marathon so you don’t get a medal and you pay extra for a shirt, but that was fine with me. They have a staggered start so when it’s your turn, your name, city, and state is displayed on a screen! Nice touch! Course is nice and flat with one hill at mile 13.5/25.5. Not a ton of crowd support, but the scenery is beautiful. Weather was great and I got my first BQ! I’m not big on food after I run, but they did offer a bottled smoothie (along with other items I passed on) which was nice. I highly recommend this race!
The best race for only $26.21
Even though this is a low budget race, it is still one of my favorites in NH and definitely the best race you can find for only $26.21 which is … MORE
Even though this is a low budget race, it is still one of my favorites in NH and definitely the best race you can find for only $26.21 which is the price if you register early. I did the race last year so that review has more details. This race has no frills but it’s production is as good as much more expensive races. They again did the time trial start where you are assigned a time based on predicted pace and it works great so runners are spread out. The course is an out and back on a rail trail. Not the most exciting but it is relatively flat and it’s actually a fairly scenic trail. I prefer this scenery to Elm street. Only production complaint is there are only 3 aid stations which you pass twice but two are placed a little over 3 miles apart. This is in the race instruction and I get it’s a cheap race so I won’t take away a sneaker but I’d recommend carrying water for this race. There is no medal but you get a funny ribbon. My time was slow but as expected with this being my second half this weekend. I would definitely recommend this race for locals and for 50 staters not concerned about bling. I plan to sign up for next year as soon as registration opens as long as I am free the weekend of the race.
The only thing not excellent was me
This race was run by pro's. Easy to park, great time trial start, mostly flat course, very well run. No frills but worth it for the cost. My only con … MORE
This race was run by pro’s. Easy to park, great time trial start, mostly flat course, very well run. No frills but worth it for the cost.
My only con is that water stops were farther apart than I would like have liked (3- 3.5 miles for some). But otherwise, there really wasn’t anything to complain about except for my own brain that did not show up!
There is no swag, no medal- just a little ribbon. But the race costs $26.20 and they are very clear about this. I wouldn’t suggest it for a first timer as the medal and fanfare is a big deal for the first. But for those needing a reasonable course to BQ- this is a great one. I think I read 27% did BQ. I would run it again if I needed a good course for a BQ.
The course was slightly uphill and slightly downhill the entire way. Only one real hill at the half and finish but not bad by any means.
The marathon was out and back twice on a paved bike trail. Not a great deal to see but the nature was pretty. There were places at road crossings for cheering sections at several points. The volunteers, staff, police, etc were excellent- very supportive and helpful.
Best bang for your buck
This is a low-cost, no frills half marathon or marathon produced by Millennium Running. It used to take place in Massachusetts but was moved to New Hampshire last year due … MORE
This is a low-cost, no frills half marathon or marathon produced by Millennium Running. It used to take place in Massachusetts but was moved to New Hampshire last year due to covid and kept in NH this year. The cost is only $26.2 which is the least I paid for a half marathon. I signed up for this race because I was going to be in NH anyways. I wasn’t expecting too much given how cheap it was just the usual excellent production from Millennium Running but the race exceeded my expectations. The race takes place on a paved rail trail in Derry, NH which is about 10 minutes south of Manchester and also not too far a drive from Boston. The marathon started earlier and there was parking at the start for the marathoners only. For the later half you were instructed to park at a park & ride and take a shuttle. Shuttles were very smooth and I did not have to wait at all. Packet included bib and you could pay extra for a shirt. It is a fine polyblend shirt. Even though it is not longer necessary for covid, Millennium kept the time trial format they did during covid to prevent the trail from being too crowded. Runners were given an assigned time and went 2 at a time every 10 seconds. Very organized and smooth start. The course is really nice. It is on a paved rail trail that is mostly flat. Not as pancake flat as Atlantic City but just some inclines and declines no true hill. The course was simple but was actually quite scenic with lots of trees and lakes and nature. I preferred this scenery to downtown Manchester. The half is an out and back that you do twice for the marathon. There are 3 aid stations that you pass twice, one at mile 1 and 12, mile 3 and 10 and mile 6 and 7. The aid stations had water and gatorade and the middle one had maple syrup. I can’t complain about the aid stations for the price but you do go as far as 3 miles without water so you may want to bring some. This is not the most spectator friendly race on the trail but I was surprised and happy with how many spectators were at the intersections of the trail. There were also plenty of course marshals for any road crossings. The course also had mile markers. For the finish you turn right off the trail and run a block through town which is coned off and then turn back on the rail trail and go left if you are a marathoner doing the second loop or right for the finish. This was smart for making the start and finish line separate but annoying as the only hill on the entire course was at the end. I was feeling pretty good and it was perfect weather and a fast course and knew I could break 2:45 as long as I had a decent finish but I wasn’t sure I was going to make it with the surprise hill. I still managed to just get my goal time. There is a nice finish arch. At the end you don’t get a medal because it is so cheap but you get a very funny and cute ribbon that says “I ran a half marathon and all I got was this lousy ribbon!” There was also decent post-race snacks for a cheap race with fruit, chips, granola bars and yogurt. Nothing special but enough. I was very surprised by how great this race was for the price. It’s production was as good as any race I have done and the course was really nice though obviously not as exciting as some of the more premier, expensive half marathons. Other than the lack of swag, this was as good as all but the top half marathons I have done. I would definitely recommend this race especially if you are looking for cheaper options. If I have the weekend off I would definitely do this one again.
Inexpensive No Frills Race As Advertised
The Cheap Marathon (Salisbury, MA) is as advertised. It’s a no frills full marathon (or half marathon if you choose). Early registration fee is around $26. Was held the first … MORE
The Cheap Marathon (Salisbury, MA) is as advertised. It’s a no frills full marathon (or half marathon if you choose). Early registration fee is around $26. Was held the first Sunday in April 2019 (one week before Boston). Bib pickup was the day before the race at a running store in Downtown Newburyport.
The course is entirely within the Salisbury Beach State Reservation. The course is a 4.37 mile looped course that you run six times for the full or three times for the half. There were four water stops (also had Gatorade) along the course (repeated six times). One set of porto potties along the course at around Mile 4 of the 4.37 mile loop. Getting into the reservation before the race was a piece of cake. Huge parking lots adjacent to the starting area.
The course is very flat. Only about a five foot elevation change throughout the entire course. I had no issues going down stairs after the race like I normally would have after running a marathon due to my quads being shot. Not much of a view from the course itself but it’s a short walk to the beach. Weather was perfect for the 2019 race. Around 40F at the 7:00AM start. Warmed up to around 50F during the race.
Crowd support is minimal and concentrated around the starting area. Plenty of volunteers to make sure you go the right direction. After the first loop, you know the routine. There were about 400 runners for the 2019 race. About a 50/50 split between half and full runners. They had some pacers but they were for relatively slow paces (4:20 was the fastest pacer I saw on race day).
The only way in and out of the State Reservation was closed at the start of the race and wasn’t opened to traffic until about 2.5 hours into the race. Not sure why they kept it closed for so long. Runners typically ran to the side of the roadway so aside from the initial wave at the start of the race, there’s no reason they had to keep it closed to traffic for so long. Wife had to park on a parallel street and walk over some sand dunes to get to the course. This is the only thing I would have changed. Open it up to traffic about an hour or so into the race to allow for spectators to more easily get to the parking lots.
Finishers get a finisher’s ribbon. No finisher’s medals. Post race food and beverages was just a bottle of water. There was a post-race beer at some restaurant but I didn’t bother going to that. My race results initially was not shown in the race results until a submitted an omission message to the race timer (RaceWire).
So, it’s an inexpensive, PRable, BQable race that is without much amenities. If you go it to this race with these expectations, you won’t be disappointed.