Maryland Half Marathon
Fulton, MD
- Half Marathon, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The race to raise money for the fight against cancer is on! The 13.1 mile course runs through scenic Howard County beginning and ending at the Maple Lawn Community. All Maryland Half Marathon and 5K participants will receive an official race t-shirt. Together we are united in purpose to end … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Jun 06):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 89 | 86 | 85 | 81 | 82 |
| L (°F) | 65 | 65 | 73 | 54 | 55 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Can’t complain too much for the price
I had just completed the Pittsburgh half a month prior to this race. That was my first half and I guess it isn’t completely fair to compare this race to … MORE
I had just completed the Pittsburgh half a month prior to this race. That was my first half and I guess it isn’t completely fair to compare this race to that. The Maryland half was very underwhelming but even more difficult than Pittsburgh. Unfortunately I had to walk the last 3 miles due to injury. They ran out of medals like an hour into the race so people completing a great time didn’t even get one. I reached out a month ago for my medal and they still haven’t gotten back to me. Won’t be doing this one again.
Hot, Hilly, and Humid!
I enjoyed my race experience because of the people I met while running this race! I love that they provided Galloway pacers, I had a blast chatting with the pace … MORE
I enjoyed my race experience because of the people I met while running this race! I love that they provided Galloway pacers, I had a blast chatting with the pace team. I found this race at the last minute because it was driving distance for me and fit my schedule well. I stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, which was about five minutes from the start and worked well. The start is in a small community shopping center area, it was easy enough to park and pick up my packet on race morning. I waited in my car because it was raining. The course was deceptively hilly, so I took it pretty easy and ended up being one of the last finishers. They didn’t have any food or water left for us and were definitely closing up shop. Probably not the best option for back-of-the-packers. For reference, I finished in 3:22. The medal is great and very “Maryland-y,” which made me happy. Overall, I’m glad I made the trip, but I probably won’t be rushing to repeat this one.
Great Starter Race
This was my first race ever. Great experience. Loved the energy. The course had more elevation than I prepared for but a good challenge. One note would be to better … MORE
This was my first race ever. Great experience. Loved the energy. The course had more elevation than I prepared for but a good challenge. One note would be to better vocalize the “Go”. It was barely audible. I looked around and I wasn’t the only one confused lol
Hilly, and rainy but I liked it
I signed up for this race back in January, I have always known this area was hilly since I went to high school in Columbia, MD which is only few … MORE
I signed up for this race back in January, I have always known this area was hilly since I went to high school in Columbia, MD which is only few miles north of Maple Lawn. I originally signed up with a friend but he rolled his ankle few weeks ago and backed out. Since signing up for this race, my wife and I had a baby and I just have not been able to get any good quality long runs in. So I rolled up to this race unprepared, but ready to just take it easy and have fun.
The race starts and ends at a shopping center in Maple Lawn, plenty of parking. Race day packet pickup is an option and I took advantage of it. Picked up bib and nice soft cotton t shirt. Plenty of porta potty, waited for maybe 2 people ahead of me in line. The race started at 8 am, I wasn’t initially planning on it but ended up running with the 2:45 pace group. This is the first time I ever ran with a pace group and I am glad I did. Met some really cool people, was able to socialize. It was a very very hilly course but the pace group made it fun. The roads are open, for the most part it never became issue except for few parts with really narrow shoulder.
Rolling hills? How about all hills.
Local race in Columbia MD. Smaller race, runs through the suburbs and rural areas. Almost all of it is on the shoulders of open roads, there was not much traffic … MORE
Local race in Columbia MD. Smaller race, runs through the suburbs and rural areas. Almost all of it is on the shoulders of open roads, there was not much traffic on the roads, and there were lots of police and volunteers managing traffic. The hills are constant and never ending. Water stops were at appropriate distances and the volunteers were great, especially those stationed at all of the roads dealing with traffic. The course is kind of boring, there is shade on a third of it. The snacks at the end were very basic, unless I missed something better. Wet towels, bottle water, pretzels, granola bars. This race does raise money for cancer research. The medal was average and the shirt was one of the soft cotton types, pretty good. The race is what it is, a nice close to home race if you live in the area.
May have outgrown its location...or visa
Pro: Easy check in, easy parking, restaurants nearby, pre-race sponsors had lots of swag, good weather, lots of bucolic scenery, well placed and stocked aid stations. Con: Continuously rolling hills, … MORE
Pro: Easy check in, easy parking, restaurants nearby, pre-race sponsors had lots of swag, good weather, lots of bucolic scenery, well placed and stocked aid stations.
Con: Continuously rolling hills, but more concerning, a lot of the course was on asphalt shoulders of two lane roads, and there was a *LOT* of traffic. The volunteers and police did their best, but there were still cars blowing by me. I think the area is just too built up to keep hosting this event.
Also, be warned. Even tho the course has a 4 hour time limit, if you come in much past 3:25, the only things left are bananas, cold towels, and I presume water. Not even the finishers medals were left. Between the course and the traffic on it, I won’t do this one again.
Great Race, lots of unexpected elevation
Had a good time running this race. Ran it with my wife and pregnant sister-in-law. Even though I reviewed the elevation map pre-race, the elevation kicked my behind. Best story … MORE
Had a good time running this race. Ran it with my wife and pregnant sister-in-law. Even though I reviewed the elevation map pre-race, the elevation kicked my behind. Best story I got from the race was stopping at a Chik-fil-a on the race course for breakfast for my wife and sister-in-law and sprinting to catch up with them, and then running into the manager who’s team was volunteering to man a water station further along the course. He thought it was hilarious and gave us vouchers for free food lol. Overall had a great time and the swag was great. Race is a fundraiser for UM cancer research so I felt like it was a good cause to run for.
First Marathon! Would do it again!
This was my first half marathon. I did really well considering the travelling out of town and not having best nights sleep. Aid stations helped, very nice arrangments, enthusiastic people … MORE
This was my first half marathon. I did really well considering the travelling out of town and not having best nights sleep. Aid stations helped, very nice arrangments, enthusiastic people made it feel best. I followed the pacers and they helped me get through.
Hot Half Marathon!
Maple Lawn MD is a good location for a Half Marathon. It provides some challenging hills, that are even more challenging in the June heat. It'd be great to see … MORE
Maple Lawn MD is a good location for a Half Marathon. It provides some challenging hills, that are even more challenging in the June heat. It’d be great to see this even grow even further!
I loved this race
I decided to do the 5k instead of the half because of a continuing knee injury. Packet pickup was easy and quick at Fleet Feet. Parking was a breeze! Plenty … MORE
I decided to do the 5k instead of the half because of a continuing knee injury. Packet pickup was easy and quick at Fleet Feet. Parking was a breeze! Plenty due to it being located in a shopping center. The music and festive decorations (balloons and such) made for a fun atmosphere. There were people with dogs, a children’s event and booths, so it was a good family event. There were multiple vendors with freebies and things to try and Dunkin Donuts had some kind of coffee shots, a water station along the route, and munchkins at the end.
The 5k route was not bad. There were a few people out watching from their porch and some had signs of support, which were fun (“run like you stole something”). It was a partially closed route through a residential area of nice town homes and houses. The event was for the UMD cancer center, so there were people supporting cancer survivors and honoring the memories of those lost. One water station was setup in honor of a veteran who had lost his battle with cancer and the motorcycle club had all of their 3 wheelers lined up, they were beautiful and the members thanked us for running and gave out water and Gatorade. It was funny that when right before the first mile, 5kers see a sign that says 10 miles, obviously for the halfers, that happened a couple of times as the route is shared. The halfers start at 8, they were late starting, and 5k at 8:30, we still started on time. 5kers are guided to a left turn because going straight will take you on the halfers route.
I heard someone say that there was a shortage of volunteers, but everything still went smoothly and there was plenty of support and people directing you on the route, and they were friendly and encouraging. I loved that they are getting instant results, so they call your name as you cross the finish! Nice medal. The 1/4 zip long sleeve is nice, but seems to run big. I got a medium and could have probably used a small. There was cold water, cold towels, carrot cake/bread (?), potato chips, bananas, and munchkins at the finish. One of the vendors had fresh popped pop corn, which I love as a recovery snack.
This was an awesome, fun event! There was a man walking on stilts and the photographer was really cool about taking special photos, so I got a few with my mom, who attended as a spectator and loved it. I recommend this race! There were a couple of hills, but nothing that really bothered me. The weather held out, but it was humid, although there was a breeze every so often, so not too bad. I think because I was enjoying the day so much, everything else was just icing on the cake. I signed up during the week before packet pickup, so this was a last minute decision for me and I am so glad I decided to do it.