Baltimore Running Festival Marathon

The Baltimore Running Festival marathon began in 2001 and has grown into one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premiere fall road races, drawing a mix of elite athletes, regional competitors chasing Boston qualifying times, and thousands of first-time marathoners. Over more than two decades the race has become a fixture on Maryland’s racing calendar, celebrated for its enthusiastic neighborhood support, varied urban-to-park course, and strong charity and community ties. The event’s organization emphasizes a runner-friendly experience with well-marked aid stations, pace teams, and robust spectator engagement along the route. The course is a scenic and historically rich tour of Baltimore’s most recognizable districts: runners pass by the Inner Harbor and waterfront, wind through the historic cobblestone streets of Fells Point and Federal Hill, traverse leafy urban parks such as Druid Hill and Patterson Park, and run near the iconic Fort McHenry and the scenic neighborhoods of Canton and Hampden. The route offers a balance of flat, fast stretches downtown and brief rolling sections through residential areas, giving both competitive runners and recreational participants memorable views and constant crowd support. The atmosphere is festive and neighborhood-driven, with live bands, cultural flavor from diverse communities, and volunteers cheering at nearly every mile — creating an encouraging environment that helps many achieve personal bests. The Baltimore Running Festival marathon is run on a USATF-certified course and is recognized as a Boston Marathon qualifying event. The race has also been listed with AIMS, ensuring accurate course measurement and standards consistent with elite and age-group qualifying needs.