Clarence DeMar Marathon

The Clarence DeMar Marathon is a Boston Marathon-qualifying race held every September in Keene, New Hampshire, named for seven-time Boston Marathon champion Clarence DeMar. Now in its 48th year, the USATF-certified Full Marathon starts at 7:00 AM in Gilsum, NH and follows a net-downhill course through rolling New Hampshire countryside during early foliage season, with notable climbs at miles 15, 22, and 24 before finishing at the historic Appian Way on the Keene State College campus. The Half Marathon starts at 8:00 AM from Surry Mountain Beach and shares the same finish. The event also hosts a free Super Seniors Marathon for runners 70 and older and a free Kids DeMar program for grades K-5, both requiring participants to log 25 miles before covering the final 1.2-mile stretch on race day. In 2025, 308 marathon finishers included 14.3% who ran Boston qualifying times, ranking the race 75th nationally for BQ percentage. Around 500 volunteers and the town of Keene support the roughly 700 combined marathon and half marathon finishers each year, earning the race a 2018 RaceRaves vote for best New Hampshire marathon.