Overview
The Baltimore Running Festival Marathon draws approximately 1,625 finishers each October through Charm City on the Chesapeake Bay. The course passes Fort McHenry (birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner), the Inner Harbor, and Johns Hopkins University on rolling Mid-Atlantic terrain. October's crisp Baltimore autumn and the harbour-city scenery make it Maryland's premier marathon.
Baltimore Running Festival Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Baltimore Running Festival Marathon 2026 race day
The next Baltimore Running Festival Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, 24 October 2026 with a 7:30 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 150 m of climbing on a rolling with moderate climbs layout.
Baltimore Running Festival Marathon course route
The Baltimore Running Festival Marathon is an urban road that starts and finishes at Camden Yards / Inner Harbor area. The loop passes Fort McHenry, the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill, and the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus. Flatter corridors and river valleys offer the easiest miles, while the moderate climbs through hills, bridges, or bluffs are the tougher sections once fatigue builds. Spectators gather at the start-finish festival and at organised cheer zones through the city centre and along the main boulevards.
Baltimore Running Festival Marathon elevation profile
The Baltimore Running Festival Marathon course is rolling with moderate climbs over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
Entry requirements
For the Baltimore Running Festival Marathon, the Baltimore marathon is held in October, typically on the fourth Saturday. Registration is at https://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/.
Baltimore Running Festival Marathon course video
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Event director Lee Corrigan previews the Baltimore Running Festival
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Baltimore Running Festival Marathon elevation profile?
- The Baltimore Running Festival Marathon has 150 metres of total climbing and 140 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is rolling with moderate climbs, with 10 metres of net climb from start to finish.
- How long is the Baltimore Running Festival Marathon?
- The Baltimore Running Festival Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. Starts and finishes at Camden Yards / Inner Harbor area.
- What time does the Baltimore Running Festival Marathon start?
- The 2026 Baltimore Running Festival Marathon starts at 7:30 am local time on Saturday, 24 October 2026. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications on www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/ confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
- Does the Baltimore marathon pass Fort McHenry?
- Yes. Fort McHenry, where the Star-Spangled Banner was written during the War of 1812, is a historic centrepiece of the course.
- Is the Baltimore marathon hilly?
- Baltimore's harbour hills add rolling terrain with moderate climbs. Federal Hill and the Johns Hopkins area are the main elevation challenges.
- Where does the Baltimore marathon finish?
- The finish is at Camden Yards near the Inner Harbor, with the Baltimore skyline and harbour as backdrop.
- What weather should I expect in Baltimore in October?
- October in Baltimore is crisp Mid-Atlantic autumn, often 10–18 °C (50–64 °F). Chesapeake Bay breezes can be refreshing.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
