Sunday, October 20, 2024 • Lowell, MA • Course Map
Ever since the first running of the Baystate Marathon & Half Marathon back 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 Baystate 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 in the early 1990s.
From there, the half marathon 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 and through 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 challenging 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 make their way around twice, as this race is a double loop course).
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. The race finish line lies just a stone’s throw from the starting line on Father Monssette Boulevard, along the traffic circle in front of the Tsongas Arena.
Just over 2,700 runners crossed the finish line in both races combined at the event’s 2016 running, with more than 1,300 finishers in the half marathon alone.
The 26.2-mile race in this event has been ranked by Outside Magazine as the fourth-fastest in the nation out of all marathons across the country with more than 1,390 finishers, according to the finishing times for all runners.
Race Weather & Climate
Located just over 30 miles northwest of Boston, this city on Massachusetts’ Merrimack River tends to see cool to mild weather in October — Lowell’s rainiest month of the year — which has brought record temperatures here as low as 20°F (in 1988) and as high as 89°F (in 1963).
On race day (Oct. 20), the average low is 36ºF and the average high is 59ºF.
Past Results
- 2023 Results
- 2022 Results
- 2021 Baystate Half Marathon Results
- 2020 Baystate Half Marathon Results (Virtual)
- 2019 Baystate Half Marathon Results
- 2018 Baystate Half Marathon Results
- 2017 Baystate Half Marathon Results
- 2016 Baystate Half Marathon Results
- 2015 Baystate Half Marathon Results
- 2014 Baystate Half Marathon Results
- 2013 Baystate Half Marathon Results
- 2012 Baystate Half Marathon Results
- 2011 Baystate Half Marathon Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Baystate Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
see event website
Fees
- $75 and up for the half marathon
- $90 and up for the full marathon
- $45 and up for the 2-person half marathon relay (per person)
- $25 and up for the virtual race
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of the Baystate Marathon & Half Marathon race, register online at ChronoTrack.com here.
Official Race Website
Comments
Ever run in the Baystate Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.
I don’t mind the Marathons but REALLY closing all the bridges when you don’t have to. How about just the Aiken and the Rourke bridges. That way people who don’t participate can go to the store, go pick up a prescription. Or how about for those who want a football get together. My friend is stuck in Lowell I live on the BLVD, so this idea of closing ALL BRIDGES IS stupid!!!!!!!!!