Manchester City Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay

Sunday, November 12, 2023 • Manchester, NH • Course Map

Set for its 17th annual running through the historic downtown mill district here in the largest city in the Granite State, the Manchester City Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay takes runners on an out-and-back loop course that features ample views of the city’s most scenic areas, including the banks of the Merrimack River and areas like Livingston Park and Derryfield Park.

More than 1,200 runners and relay team participants crossed the finish line in both races combined at the race’s fall 2016 running, with just over 450 runners finishing a half marathon race that starts and finishes near the intersection of Elm Street and Hanover Street downtown, and follows what is roughly a 8-shaped loop route through the city.

From the starting line on Elm, which is home to Manchester’s government and banking center and is known as a bustling area during both the daytime and evening, runners first head north for a couple of blocks and then cross the Merrimack River along West Bridge Street. This bridge crossing is the first of two in the half marathon, and it leads runners to the west side of the city through several of Manchester’s neighborhoods, beginning with Rimmon Heights.

Just past the second mile marker, runners turn onto the Piscataquog Trail, a paved multiuse trail on Manchester’s west side that runners follow back across the Piscataquog Bridge (or Piscat to the locals) and back toward downtown Manchester.

This time, runners will pass the start line and continue heading north along Canal Street and River Road, then cut east before heading south on Belmont Street. This next stretch of the race features some of the half marathon route’s larger hills.

Runners can expect the elevation to rise from roughly 200 feet above sea level near the starting line to around 400 feet near the mile 11 marker. Much of the race consists of gentle rolling (but not necessarily steep) hills.

The latter half of the race also features a mix of city blocks and streets with runs past some of its tree-lined parks, including Derryfield Park, and after a couple more turns there’s a last final and long straightaway stretch into the race finish area and Athlete’s Village at Veterans Park.

The scheduled starting time for the race is 8:45 AM, and runners will have 4 hours to complete the half marathon, while runners in the full marathon will have 7 hours to complete their race.

Race Weather & Climate

Located along the banks of the Merrimack River in southern New Hampshire, roughly 40 miles from the coast, the city of Manchester typically experiences cool to often quite cold weather in the mid-fall, and relatively steady precipitation year-round.

On race day (Nov. 12), the average low is 25ºF and the average high is 51ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Anthem Manchester City Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

7:30 AM – 9:30 AM – wave start time

Fees

$75 – $95 for the half marathon
$90 – $110 for the full marathon
$110 – $130 for the 2-person relay
$160 – $200 for the 4-person relay
$25 – $30 for the 5K
$30 – $40 for the virtual race

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of the Anthem Manchester City Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay, register online at RunReg.com here.

Official Race Website

millenniumrunning.com/marathon

Comments

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

See more races in: November, New Hampshire

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