The New Bedford Half Marathon is one of the oldest half marathon distance events in the Northeast, managed by the 100% volunteer New Bedford Half Marathon Race Committee, Inc. along with its host organization, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and with the wonderful support of the City of New Bedford. …
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The New Bedford Half Marathon is one of the oldest half marathon distance events in the Northeast, managed by the 100% volunteer New Bedford Half Marathon Race Committee, Inc. along with its host organization, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and with the wonderful support of the City of New Bedford.
Running the New Bedford Half Marathon? Here is some information you need to know:
– Race starts at 11am sharp.
– One Hundred plus police officers on the route to guarantee runners safety. This is done by closing the course to automotive traffic from 11AM-2PM.
– Five or more ambulances on course during entire race.
– Thirty plus EMTs for medical emergencies.
– Seven on-course water stations (8th water stop at the finish). All with cell phone hook ups to emergency services.
– Complete medical area at finish line sponsored by Southcoast Hospitals Group, St. Luke’s Hospital ED and Physical Medicine.
– Police patrolled, coned and closed loop course. Streets are closed to automobiles from 11am-2pm.
– Timed by Yankee Timing Company. Now using B-Tag timing for more accuracy and more comfort! Start and Finish Timing.
– Long sleeve TECH-shirts to first 4,000 Registered Runners.
– YMCA open to all runners for showers two minutes from finish line.
– Cash prizes to winners.
– Number pick up at YMCA approximately 4 minutes from start.
– Rated top twenty-five Half-Marathons in United States by Runner’s World magazine.
– Rated top Half-Marathon in New England by New England Runner magazine.
– Championship course with previous women’s world record set by Ingrid Kristiansen.
– Plenty of bathroom facilities as well as porta johns between the YMCA and the Starting Line.
– A historic seaport city that embraces the race and welcomes runners as friends.
– We cater to the runner who expects quality and respect.
Being a loop course, the New Bedford Half Marathon is a great spectator race. People will have ample opportunity to watch the race in progress. Spectators can watch the beginning of the race on Purchase Street, walk down Union street to approximately the five mile mark (Rockdale Ave) and then walk back to the finish.
All participants are welcome to join us at the post race meal where you can enjoy a traditional New England Clam Chowder and New Bedford’s famous Fish Sandwich. In addition, local area restaurants and bars offer specials for runners and their families on race day.
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Fun, fast field and easy logistics
The New Bedford Half Marathon is a popular race for racing clubs, so it often has a fast field. The start is late (11am) and easy to get to with … MORE
The New Bedford Half Marathon is a popular race for racing clubs, so it often has a fast field. The start is late (11am) and easy to get to with ample nearby parking (paid and street). Some of the race is beautiful, with water views and pretty suburban neighborhoods, but other parts are pretty meh. 2024 weather was great, but it can get windy by the water. Course is relatively flat, but there is a significant incline in mile 13, with the last .1 being downhill. I trained for that and didn’t find it to be particularly challenging, but if you don’t have much hill experience and/or experience with the distance, that could be a doozy at the end!