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Marathon Details - Charles River Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MA > Boston > Charles River Marathon

Charles River Marathon

RACE Cancer Foundation Charles River Marathon

Boston, MA USA

September 8, 2024

http://www.racecancer.org/charles

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Marathon Results

By Year:

2024 2023 2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

This flat, fast USATF-certified course is comprised of ten laps of a flat 2.6 mile loop around Boston's scenic Charles River. There are three water stations per lap, and four toilet locations per lap. This race is BQ-eligible for the 2022 Boston Marathon.

Contact Information

Name:	J. Alain Ferry
Address:	RACE Cancer Foundation 45 Prospect Street Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone Number:	617-702-2020
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (8)

Course 5.0

Organization 4.9

Spectators 4.5

Write a review

Number of comments: 8

David Stanton from Cape Cod, Massachusetts (9/21/2024) "Great fast course!" (about: 2024) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great marathon! Alain does a great job of directing it and setting it up. I was a little nervous of getting bored running 10 loops, but it works out perfect, you know the course and what to expect without any surprises after the first or second loop. Fast course. Great views of the Charles River and the crew teams rowing. Fairly flat with 2 small bridges each loop with minor elevation changes (approximately 15' climbs each). Great course support. Definitely a great course for a BQ or a PR! Loved it.
D. D. from Boston suburbs (9/17/2024) "Amazing marathon experience!!" (about: 2024) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I highly recommend this marathon. The multi-loop course allows for easy spectating, the BYOB is super helpful to pack whatever beverage you want to drink, and the extremely flat course is great for a PR.
G. Q. from Scarsdale, New York (9/11/2024) "Hidden Gem of a Marathon" (about: 2024) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon far exceeded my expectations. I was apprehensive at first about doing 10 laps of a flat course for a marathon, but I found a lot more positives from this by the end. The course loop is excellent, located along the pretty Charles River, and passes the finish line for rowing races on the Charles River. The rowers are out during the race and there was a lot of mutual recognition and respect for the respective endeavors taking place. Except for two small climbs on the bridges that book end the course, this is a genuinely pancake flat course. You will feel it in the hips the next day as a result. The quality of the field is up there with the Boston marathon. The President of the Boston Marathon Association gave a speech before the start, and everything about this race has a Boston Qualifier vibe about it. With the course being ten laps, unless you can run at a pace in the sub-3-hour range, you will likely be passed by the front runners at some point. It's actually pretty cool being passed by runners going that fast. Make no bones about it though. This race is not for slow runners. The cut off time for most of the field is 4 hours and 30 minutes. If you do enter, you will experience one of the very best organized events. There were three fueling stations on the 2.62 mile course, and the support from the gathered crowd is amazing. They put your name on the bib, so you will hear your name being shouted throughout. Multiple groups called me out by name on every lap. The rowing teams are particularly vociferous. The large crowd gathered at the finish line also comes into play 10 times. There are so many small attentions to detail things that make this race special. For example, there is a scoreboard that reports your lap time, pace and estimated finish time on every lap. If you are an out of towner like me, the hotel for the race is within 200 yards of the start line. Most of the runners were locals that know about this special event. If you need a BQ, there is no better event in my opinion. Get in early though: the field size is capped at 300. And you will be required to commit to raising at least $100 for charity. The main purpose of the event is to raise money for Race Cancer, an organization that is dedicated to raising awareness of the risks of skin cancer and you might see them at various race events, around the country, giving out free sunscreen to runners. The cause is great and the overall event even better.
Wolfgang Richter from Arlington, MA (11/10/2021) "First Time Marathon: Amazing Experience" (about: 2021) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first marathon. It was very professionally organized, they worked around inclement weather (rain), and had refreshments placed well throughout the course. They had plenty of pacers at all speeds, and it was very friendly for a first time marathoner. In fact, my experience was so good, I'd be happy to race in any of their future races!
Carlos Cevallos from Boston, MA (9/16/2019) "Easy course and well-organized race" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I beat my BQ by a mere 3 seconds, which doesn't guarantee a spot in the 2020 Boston Marathon, but I take it! Thanks to this course, I ran my fastest marathon ever - flat course with insignificant inclines going up over two small bridges;not too many turns; well placed water/fueling stops including a bring your own bottle table just past the start/finish line; mostly shaded route along the Charles River. Not many spectators along the course, but i am totally fine with that. I will definitely come back next year for a faster time. Thank you Alain (RD) and volunteers for a well-organized race.
jim miller from orlando, fl (9/12/2018) "MY new favorite small marathon in the US!" (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great job Alain and for such a great cause. Who knew there was a small race in Boston that could match the organization, timing, swag and aid stations as the big guys. And you stay motivated seeing groups of college runners and rowers along the Charles. Alain was available and congratulator, the timing clocks were perfect and when the screen showing how many laps were left faltered a bit, the timer made a point of calling out your name and loops left - which was a great comfort. Already looking forward to making this an annual event Well done!
S. B. from Massachusetts, USA (9/14/2017) "Well organized race" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great race with awesome volunteer support and high tech timing with TV monitor showing laps to go and estimated time to finish based on previous laps. Early start to minimize the effect of unpredictable weather. 0.25 loop+10x2.6 mi loop was kind of fun lapping friends. Two bridge crossing bumps per loop can be tiring towards the end but rest of the course is flat and fast. Results: http://my2.raceresult.com/81730/results#1_4B9A79
C. C. from Massachusetts (9/10/2017) "Great Course Friendly Volunteers Perfect BQ Race" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you are looking for a Boston Qualifier, this is the race for you. Spectator & family friendly. Nice volunteers, pace groups & perfectly placed water stops. Run along the beautiful Charles River. Just fabulous.



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David Stanton from Cape Cod, Massachusetts (9/21/2024) "Great fast course!" (about: 2024) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great marathon! Alain does a great job of directing it and setting it up. I was a little nervous of getting bored running 10 loops, but it works out perfect, you know the course and what to expect without any surprises after the first or second loop. Fast course. Great views of the Charles River and the crew teams rowing. Fairly flat with 2 small bridges each loop with minor elevation changes (approximately 15' climbs each). Great course support. Definitely a great course for a BQ or a PR! Loved it.
D. D. from Boston suburbs (9/17/2024) "Amazing marathon experience!!" (about: 2024) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I highly recommend this marathon. The multi-loop course allows for easy spectating, the BYOB is super helpful to pack whatever beverage you want to drink, and the extremely flat course is great for a PR.
G. Q. from Scarsdale, New York (9/11/2024) "Hidden Gem of a Marathon" (about: 2024) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon far exceeded my expectations. I was apprehensive at first about doing 10 laps of a flat course for a marathon, but I found a lot more positives from this by the end. The course loop is excellent, located along the pretty Charles River, and passes the finish line for rowing races on the Charles River. The rowers are out during the race and there was a lot of mutual recognition and respect for the respective endeavors taking place. Except for two small climbs on the bridges that book end the course, this is a genuinely pancake flat course. You will feel it in the hips the next day as a result. The quality of the field is up there with the Boston marathon. The President of the Boston Marathon Association gave a speech before the start, and everything about this race has a Boston Qualifier vibe about it. With the course being ten laps, unless you can run at a pace in the sub-3-hour range, you will likely be passed by the front runners at some point. It's actually pretty cool being passed by runners going that fast. Make no bones about it though. This race is not for slow runners. The cut off time for most of the field is 4 hours and 30 minutes. If you do enter, you will experience one of the very best organized events. There were three fueling stations on the 2.62 mile course, and the support from the gathered crowd is amazing. They put your name on the bib, so you will hear your name being shouted throughout. Multiple groups called me out by name on every lap. The rowing teams are particularly vociferous. The large crowd gathered at the finish line also comes into play 10 times. There are so many small attentions to detail things that make this race special. For example, there is a scoreboard that reports your lap time, pace and estimated finish time on every lap. If you are an out of towner like me, the hotel for the race is within 200 yards of the start line. Most of the runners were locals that know about this special event. If you need a BQ, there is no better event in my opinion. Get in early though: the field size is capped at 300. And you will be required to commit to raising at least $100 for charity. The main purpose of the event is to raise money for Race Cancer, an organization that is dedicated to raising awareness of the risks of skin cancer and you might see them at various race events, around the country, giving out free sunscreen to runners. The cause is great and the overall event even better.
Wolfgang Richter from Arlington, MA (11/10/2021) "First Time Marathon: Amazing Experience" (about: 2021) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my very first marathon. It was very professionally organized, they worked around inclement weather (rain), and had refreshments placed well throughout the course. They had plenty of pacers at all speeds, and it was very friendly for a first time marathoner. In fact, my experience was so good, I'd be happy to race in any of their future races!
Carlos Cevallos from Boston, MA (9/16/2019) "Easy course and well-organized race" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I beat my BQ by a mere 3 seconds, which doesn't guarantee a spot in the 2020 Boston Marathon, but I take it! Thanks to this course, I ran my fastest marathon ever - flat course with insignificant inclines going up over two small bridges;not too many turns; well placed water/fueling stops including a bring your own bottle table just past the start/finish line; mostly shaded route along the Charles River. Not many spectators along the course, but i am totally fine with that. I will definitely come back next year for a faster time. Thank you Alain (RD) and volunteers for a well-organized race.
jim miller from orlando, fl (9/12/2018) "MY new favorite small marathon in the US!" (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great job Alain and for such a great cause. Who knew there was a small race in Boston that could match the organization, timing, swag and aid stations as the big guys. And you stay motivated seeing groups of college runners and rowers along the Charles. Alain was available and congratulator, the timing clocks were perfect and when the screen showing how many laps were left faltered a bit, the timer made a point of calling out your name and loops left - which was a great comfort. Already looking forward to making this an annual event Well done!
S. B. from Massachusetts, USA (9/14/2017) "Well organized race" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great race with awesome volunteer support and high tech timing with TV monitor showing laps to go and estimated time to finish based on previous laps. Early start to minimize the effect of unpredictable weather. 0.25 loop+10x2.6 mi loop was kind of fun lapping friends. Two bridge crossing bumps per loop can be tiring towards the end but rest of the course is flat and fast. Results: http://my2.raceresult.com/81730/results#1_4B9A79
C. C. from Massachusetts (9/10/2017) "Great Course Friendly Volunteers Perfect BQ Race" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Charles River Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you are looking for a Boston Qualifier, this is the race for you. Spectator & family friendly. Nice volunteers, pace groups & perfectly placed water stops. Run along the beautiful Charles River. Just fabulous.

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Marathon Details - Charles River Marathon