Chessie Trail Marathon course.

The marathon course for 2026 (7 Nov 2026): flat.

MarathonBQ course

Distance
42.195
kilometers
Climb
—
not published
Descent
—
not published
Profile
Flat
PB territory
Layout
—
Road
Time limit
—
not published
Start
08:00
local time
Boston qualifier
Yes
times count for Boston

Racing it

Pro tips

  1. 01

    Boston Qualifier

    The marathon is a Boston Qualifier on a USATF-certified course. If you're chasing a time, the flat trail supports steady pacing, but respect the gravel and grass underfoot.

    From the description

  2. 02

    Fall Color and Wildlife

    The November race date falls at peak fall color along the Maury River. Watch for deer, turkeys, otters and bald eagles, but keep your pace steady.

    From the description

  3. 03

    Cool Morning Start

    The marathon starts at 08:00 with a typical race-day temperature of 10.6°C. Dress for a cool riverside morning and plan layers you can shed as you warm up.

    From the start time, temperature

  4. 04

    Flat Rail Trail Pace

    The course profile is flat, so settle into even pacing early. The smooth gravel and grass surface is built for rhythm rather than hill surges.

    From the elevation profile, description

  5. 05

    Marathon Repeat

    Marathoners see the whole seven-mile Chessie Nature Trail twice, covering 26.2 miles. Learn the trail's landmarks on your first pass and prepare for the second.

    From the description

Written by AI from the course data. Check race-day details with the organizer.

Course on the 2026 race page Dates and entry Race-day weather

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