The Northern Central Trail Marathon

The 20th Northern Central Trail Marathon & Relay
9:00AM Saturday, November 28, 2009
Sparks, MD

The NCR Trail Marathon and Marathon Relay have sold out for 2009. We have reached the limits set by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for participants on the trail much more quickly than previous years.

Thank you for your enthusiastic support for the 20th anniversary race!

Description

The Northern Central Trail Marathon and Marathon Relay are held the Saturday after Thanksgiving in northern Baltimore County, Maryland.

The race is an out and back course primarily along the Northern Central Railroad Trail. The start and finish are at Sparks Elementary School, and the first and last few miles of the race are on rural paved roads. A few hills occur on the paved roads that begin and end the course, but most of the race is on the flat stretches of the NCR Trail. The trail surface is a compacted combination of dirt and fine stone. The trail winds along the Gunpowder River, through quiet farmland.

The Two-Person Relay covers the same route at the same time as the marathon. Each team member runs a 13.1 mile leg of the relay. The relay is now full and closed to more entries..

Maps

course map   parking/shuttle

Applications and Fees

There is no race day registration.

Please read the information above regarding closing of the race for 2009.

Participants can register by mailing a print application before November 15th, or by registering online before November 20th. Make checks payable to "Baltimore Road Runners Club".

Note: The Two-Person Relay is limited to 40 teams and always fills up early, typically within 60 days of registration opening.

Please indicate your membership in an RRCA or MDRRCA affiliated running club for championships described in Premiums.

Race Fees
Registration Date Marathon Fee Team Fee for Relay
July 1 through November 2 $85 $140
November 3 through November 27 $95 $160
Note: Runners will be invoiced for $20 for failure to return timing chip.

Current Entrants

BRRC offers a list of entrants who mailed in their applications here. This list will be periodically updated by club volunteers.

If you registered for the race through Active.com, you should have received a confirmation email from them.

A complete list of entrants is planned to be posted in late November, or when both races close entry.

Premiums and Amenities

For this twentieth anniversary race, the premium will be a unisex jacket. It is anticipated to be much like the one shown in this proof.

RRCA Championship Race

Recognized by Running Times magazine in 2008 as a top ten marathon for percentage of finishers qualifying for The Boston Marathon.

Profiled in the January 2009 issue of Runner’s World magazine as an alternate marathon you should consider.

Awards

The awards ceremony will follow the race in the Sparks Elementary School gym. Awards will not be mailed.

Category Depth
Open top 5 men
top 5 women
Masters top 2 men
top 2 women
Age Group
  • 16-19
  • 20-29
  • 30-34
  • 35-39
  • 40-44
  • 45-49
  • 50-54
  • 55-59
  • 60-64
  • 65-69
  • 70 Plus
 top 3 men in each group
top 3 women in each group
Team Relay
  • Male
  • Female
  • Co-ed
  • Senior (total age 110+)
 top 2 teams in each group
No duplication of any awards!
Event Records
Category Marathon Time
Open Men 2:25:18
Open Women 2:47:25
Masters Men 2:36:03
Masters Women 3:04:02
$150 for new record in category

Packet Pickup

Friday, November 27 from noon to 6PM at Charm City Run, (410)561-3570, 2045 York Road in Timonium, MD (map)

Race morning at the venue, in the Sparks Elementary School gym, beginning at 7:30AM

Parking & Shuttle Bus

Due to the small amount of parking at Sparks Elementary School and our need to move relay participants and race volunteers through that area, we ask that you park at Western Run Business Park, 14550 York Road, (map) and use our shuttle bus. Shuttle service begins at 7:00AM, and buses run frequently before and after the race.

Nearby Lodging & Eating

Lodging, dining, and shopping are available four miles south of the race start along Shawan Road and the York Road corrider. The list below suggests some of the nearby hotels, including information on those blocking off rooms for marathoners.

Contact

If you have questions please email NCRTrailMarathon@gmail.com.

Race Directors: Dave Cooley, Christy St. Clair, and Tom Nasuta