Cape Cod Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay

Saturday, October 12, 2024 • Falmouth, MA • Course Map

Hailed by publications like Runner’s World and New England Runner as one of the country’s most scenic marathons, thanks to its course that unfolds along the shoreline of southern Cape Cod, Falmouth’s Cape Cod Marathon & Relay marks its 47th annual running this year, though just its 11th ever with the half marathon distance.

Runners in both the half and the full marathons will share the same starting line — on Main Street in downtown Falmouth — but different days, as those running the 13.1-mile race will run on Saturday morning, while those running the full marathon and marathon relay will run their race the following day, on Sunday morning.

From the starting line on Main Street in downtown Falmouth, the half marathoners head out on a course that takes them first south along Walker Street past Siders Pond down toward the beach on Vineyard Sound, which looks out across the water to Martha’s Vineyard in the distance.

Next, runners head east, making a loop along tree-lined residential streets as they make their way toward the Falmouth Inner Harbor, running past the marina and the Falmouth Marine Park as they head north along Scranton Avenue to Queen Street.

After a stretch along Queen and a left turn to head south on King Street, runners then make their way back to Clinton Avenue and begin the long stretch southwest along the shoreline.

Built way back in 1876, the lighthouse today still operates as a home for the commander of the southeastern New England sector of the U.S. Coast Guard, and runners will be able to take in the view of the light and the surrounding point of land sticking out into the ocean as they head south all the way down to the end of the point.

They’ll pass right by Nobska Pond and then make the turn to head north along the eastern shore of the point, and then continue on northwest along Oyster Pond Road, taking them past the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute on the way back into Falmouth.

The final couple of miles of the half marathon take runners north away from the beach and around Oyster Pond and Salt Pond, and then back toward the beach for a brief stretch along Surf Drive before heading north along Walker for the home stretch in to the race finish line, at Falmouth’s Town Hall Square.

Race Weather & Climate

Nestled along the southern end of Cape Cod in southern Massachusetts, about 70 miles south of Boston and roughly 70 miles east (by car) from Providence, R.I., Falmouth typically sees cool to mild weather in October, which has brought record temperatures here as low as 0°F (in 1953) and as high as 88°F (in 1959).

  • October 12 average low temp: 54ºF
  • October 12 average high temp: 65ºF

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Cape Cod Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

8:00 AM

Course Time Limit

The half marathon is limited to the first 1,750 entrants, and runners will have a course time limit of 3 hours — after 3 hours, the course will be closed and anyone finishing will not receive an official time.

Fees

  • $85 and up – half marathon
  • $95 and up – full marathon
  • $35 and up – 5K

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of the Cape Cod Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay, register online at RaceRoster.com here.

Official Race Website

capecodmarathon.com

Comments

Ever run in the Cape Cod Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: October, Massachusetts

1 comment… add one
  • Janet Reardon October 7, 2018, 4:03 pm

    Would be glad to volunteer for the Saturday, half-marathon (27th) as a Course Monitor. I have Email or you may reach me at 508 477-6740. I was referred by Jack Afarian

    Reply

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