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Massachusetts > Baystate Marathon & The Lowell Sun Half
Marathon
Lowell,
MA
Date
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Event
Details
Ever since the first running of the Baystate Marathon & Lowell
Sun Half Marathon in 1990, these two races have become known as one of
the fastest and flattest events of their kind anywhere in the
Northeast, and have also become one of the region's most popular events
used by competitive runners to qualify for the
Boston Marathon.
The Lowell Sun Half Marathon shares the same starting line and time as
the full, 26.2-mile marathon, near the city's Paul Tsongas
Arena, named for the former senator who ran for president back in the
1990s. From there, the half follows a double-loop course that winds a
little over six and a half miles through
the city streets of Lowell, and across two major bridges over the
river back to the finish line at the city's LeLacheur Park, which
overlooks the Merrimack River across from the University of
Massachusetts-Lowell
campus.
Runners can expect to encounter a number of slight changes in elevation
over the
duration of the race, though nothing too challening or significant --
the uphill and downhill stretches at most change about 50 to 75 feet in
elevation. The steepest changes occur between miles 2 and 3, and miles
5 and 6 (which runners will run twice each, as this race is a double
loop).
As much of the race takes runners along the highway past the waters of
the Merrimack, which cuts a path right through the center of the city,
the course offers ample scenery to take your mind off the run. And the
finish is one of the more unique among road races -- the finish line
itself is home plate inside LeLacheur Park, home of the Lowell Spinners
minor league baseball team.
Race
Weather & Climate
Located just over 30 miles northwest of Boston, this city on
Massachusetts' Merrimack River tends to see cool to mild (though
occasionally quite cold) weather in October, as temperatures during the
month average between 38°F and 62°F. (On race day,
organizers say, temperatures are typically in the 50s). Rainfall during
the month averages about 3.93 inches, placing it as the area's
second-wettest month of the year.
Fees
$35 for the half marathon, if registered by October 1, 2009
$45 between Oct. 1 - 17
$55 on the day of the race
Registration
To reserve your spot in the fall 2009 running of the Lowell Half
Marathon at the Baystate Marathon by register online at Active.com
or print out and mail in this printable entry form.
Website
www.baystatemarathon.com
Half
Marathon Course
Map - Start/Finish
View Larger Map
Half
Marathon Course
Map - Turnaround
View Larger Map
Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in Massachusetts' Baystate Marathon or The Sun Half Marathon?
Share
your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Post your comments in Runner Reviews for the Baystate Marathon
& The Sun Half Marathon
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