Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon

Sunday, September 1, 2024 • Swanzey, NH • Course Map

Mostly flat, fast terrain with a few gentle, rolling hills thrown in are par for the course along the Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon — also called “Elijah’s Race,” in honor of the local runner who founded the race, Elijah Barrett — which showcases the signature landmarks of this southwestern New Hampshire town, located just over 10 miles each from the borders with Massachusetts and Vermont.

The race course — which rises no more than 100 feet in elevation through the entire race — features views and scenery that capture perfectly the quaint, authentic feel of New England, taking runners through covered bridges with names like Thompson, Slate, Carlton and Cresson, most of which date to the pre-Civil War era.

About 500 runners participate in the race each year, across a course made up mostly of paved roads — though shortly after the race start on Swanzey’s Sawyer Crossing Road, the race takes participants across a section of improved railroad bed and about a mile of dirt trails.

Thereafter, the race course returns to paved roads as it follows a counter-clockwise loop through the Swanzey area back to the finish line at Monadnock Regional High School.

After the last runners have crossed the finish line, the race organizers host a post-race barbecue, with fresh roasted corn on the cob, hamburgers and hotdogs, and plenty of tomatoes and fresh vegetables.

And, organizers add, the race is open to all skill levels — “walkers, joggers and runners are welcome.”

Photos courtesy Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon

Race Weather & Climate

Located in southwestern New Hampshire, about 70 miles west of Manchester, Swanzey typically sees its fourth-warmest month of the year in September, which has brought record temperatures here as low as 21°F (in 1963) and as high as 101°F (in 1953).

• Sept. 1 average low temp: 54ºF
• Sept. 1 average high temp: 74ºF

Past Results

• 2018 Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon Results
• 2017 Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon Results
• 2016 Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon Results
• 2015 Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon Results
• 2014 Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon Results
• 2013 Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon Results
• 2012 Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon Results
• 2011 Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

9:00 AM

Fees

$70 and up

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of the Swanzey Covered Bridges Half Marathon, register online at RaceRoster.com here.

Official Race Website

swanzeycoveredbrid.wixsite.com

Comments

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See more races in September, New Hampshire