The Parks Half Marathon

Sunday, September 8, 2024 • Rockville, MD • Course Map

Featuring a run through the urban parkland areas of Rockville and Bethesda, Maryland, the Parks Half Marathon takes runners on a point-to-point race through the city’s parks that follow along the Rock Creek Stream Valley, which flows through one of the most populated areas of Maryland’s Montgomery County.

Richmond Marathon

Made up mostly of a mix of flat stretches and gently rolling hills, the course begins north of Rockville and takes runners southward along the Rock Creek Stream Valley to the finish line in nearby Bethesda, and a changing mix of surfaces, from fast and flat paved roads to crushed gravel trails at some points.

From the starting line near the intersection of Redland Road and Sommerville Avenue over the metro overpass, runners begin the course along Needwood Road before entering Needwood Park around mile 2.

The course continues along the paved surfaces of the park before heading onto the hiking and biking trail inside the park, which organizers request that participants run just two runners abreast, to allow those running at faster or slower paces to move up and back among the field.

Along the 13.1-mile race route, runners will run past many of the area’s tourist attractions and through several of its scenic parks, including the Audubon Society sanctuary, Dewey Park and Ken-Gar Palisades Parks, and the Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase.

Runners follow the course all the way along the stream valley before turning onto Beach Drive just north of Bethesda and crossing the finish line there.

Race Weather & Climate

Located along I-270 in southern Maryland, about 20 miles north of Washington, D.C., and roughly 40 miles southwest of Baltimore, Rockville typically sees September temperatures that average between 77°F and 56°F, while rainfall totals average just over 4 inches, making September the city’s second-wettest month of the year.

On race day (Sept. 8), the average low is 62ºF and the average high is 78ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Parks Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

6:45 AM

Fees

$75 and up

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of Rockville’s Parks Half Marathon, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

www.parkshalfmarathon.com

Comments

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See more races in: September, Maryland

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