Sunday, May 29, 2016 • Great Barrington, MA • Course Map
Once you get a look at the gorgeous natural beauty of the Berkshires here in western Massachusetts, it becomes instantly clear why these misty hills and mountains have drawn American notables from around New England to come here to live or just for a visit, from authors Nathanial Hawthorne and Edith Wharton to industrialist Andrew Carnegie, not to mention the Astor and Vanderbilt families over the years.
Today, the small town of roughly 7,000 residents welcomes many more throughout the year. That’s why the unofficial start of the summer season makes the perfect time for Great Barrington’s Memorial Day Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K, which marks its 7th annual running on the Memorial Day weekend.
Runners in the half marathon — like those in the other races — will follow an out-and-back loop course that starts and finishes near Ski Butternut, a ski resort just outside of Great Barrington’s downtown area. Hosted in conjunction with the Mass Gathering Music Festival, the Memorial Day Races provide runners and music fans a chance to partake in both throughout the weekend, especially as Saturday runners receive admission to Mass Gathering that day.
From Ski Butternut, half marathoners take off west on State Road toward the downtown area of Great Barrington. Around mile 2, the course veers north onto Stockbridge Road and continues north for the next mile and a half before turning left onto Park Street and left again onto Division Street.
By the time runners turn onto Alford Road and pass the outskirts of Bard College at Simon’s Rock, the course is already halfway through, and the last half of the course consists of running through downtown Great Barrington and back toward Ski Butternut, retracing the first two miles as the last two miles.
Along the way, runners will be able to see much of what makes this area such a scenic treasure, from the tree-covered hills and mountains in the distance to the meadows and farmland that add to the beauty of the Berkshires.
The race is open to both runners and walkers, and in keeping with the spirit of the day there will be a Color Guard send-off for runners at the starting line, by the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Race Weather & Climate
Located among the scenic Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts, roughly 130 miles west of Boston and about 125 miles north of New York City, Great Barrington typically sees mild to moderately warm weather in the last weeks of spring.
Race day (May 29) temperatures:
- Average low: 46ºF
- Average high: 72ºF
Past Results
- 2015 Memorial Day Races Half Marathon Results
- 2014 Memorial Day Races Half Marathon Results
- 2013 Memorial Day Races Half Marathon Results
- 2012 Memorial Day Races Half Marathon Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Memorial Day Races Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 8:00 AM – half marathon, full marathon
- 10:00 AM – 10K, 5K
Fees
- $70 for the half marathon
- price subject to increase as race day grows closer
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2016 running of Great Barrington’s Memorial Day Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K or 5K race, register online at Eventbrite.com here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
Ever run in the Memorial Day Races Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.
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