20th Northern Central Trail Marathon & Relay

The race is an out and back course primarily along the Northern Central Railroad Trail. The start and finish are at Sparks Elementary School, and the first and last few miles of the race are on rural paved roads. A few hills occur on the paved roads that begin and end the course, but most of the race is on the flat stretches of the NCR Trail. The trail surface is a compacted combination of dirt and fine stone. The trail winds along the Gunpowder River, through quiet farmland. The Two-Person Relay covers the same route at the same time as the marathon. Each team member runs a 13.1 mile leg of the relay.