// 2018 RESULTS HERE //

Join us for the 3rd annual Charles River Marathon on September 7th, 2019. This flat, fast BQ-eligible course is the kickoff event for Boston RunFest, a partnership between RACE Cancer Foundation and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to bring a full day of charitable running events to Boston's Herter Park. Over 47% of finishers in the 2017 Charles River Marathon qualified for the Boston Marathon!

The day starts with the Charles River Marathon and continues into the evening with the Starry Night 5K. The marathon course is USATF-certified and thus eligible as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. 100% of the proceeds of these events benefit RACE Cancer Foundation and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

Charles River Marathon - 7:00am, capped at 250 runners
The marathon course is a flat 2.62 mile loop on paved paths around Boston's scenic Charles River, starting and finishing at the DCR’s Herter Park in Boston, MA. Marathon runners will complete ten laps (26.2 miles) of the course. The marathon will be held on a USATF-certified course, eligible as a qualifier for the 2019 Boston Marathon.

For 2019 we've eliminated the half marathon to allow more marathon participants.

Starry Night 5K - 5:30 pm, capped at 400 runners
The Starry Night 5K is held on the same loop as the marathon, and follows the same course as our Summer Series. The event, which includes a walk and post-race lantern lighting ceremony, is produced by and for the benefit of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Learn more here.

Marathon: $60 non-refundable entry fee. Additionally, each entrant must raise at least $150 via their personal fundraising page before June 30th. Race entry includes a finisher’s medal, an embroidered hat, a tech shirt, and post-race food & drink at Miller's Ale House. Failure to meet the fundraising minimum by June 30th forfeits your race entry. Extensions will not be granted in 2019.

Half Marathon Relay: Sorry, we have eliminated the half marathon relay for 2019.

Starry Night 5K: $0 entry fee, but please remember that our mission is to help kids with the deadliest form of childhood cancer so we encourage participants to raise at least $100. Please sign up here.

Friday, Sep 6th:
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Early number pick-up, Miller's Ale House 617 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472

Saturday, Sep 7th
5:30 am – Marathon registration opens
6:45– Marathon registration CLOSES
7:00 am – Marathon starts
10:30 am – Marathon Awards Ceremony – Overall Winners (top 3)
11:30am – Marathon Awards Ceremony – Age Group Winners (top 3)

The marathon course is USATF certified and thus eligible as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

We will have portable toilets on the course at H2O-1 and H2O-2, as well as at the start/finish line. There are also portable toilets along the path near the Northeastern University Boat House as well as near Charles River Canoe and Kayak.

Interactive course map here.    //  Course preview video here.

BODYARMOR stations: There will be three BODYARMOR stations on the 2.62 mile loop: two along Greenough Boulevard, and one at the start/finish line. Each BODYARMOR station will have Sports Drink and Water.

Marathon: Top 3 male & female overall, and age group awards: 18-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+. Overall awards are based on gun time. AG awards are based on chip (net) time. Trophies/medals can be picked up at our office but any other prizes may only be claimed at the awards ceremony. Due to permitting and volunteer constraints, the marathon will have time limit of 4 hours and 30 minutes for runners age 59 and younger. Runners 60 and older will have the time limit extended to 5 hours.

Dogs and strollers: Sorry, while dogs and strollers are typically welcome in our events, we can’t allow either in this event.

Pacing: We acknowledge that recruiting friends to help pace you during a marathon is common practice, and especially tempting on a ten lap course. We’ve capped the field size for safety reasons due to narrow paths, especially along the bridges. We may have pace groups if there’s enough demand. If you want someone to pace you, they must be an official entrant or you risk disqualification. For more info, refer to USATF rule 144 (page 58.) Since most runners will be chasing a BQ at this event, we expect there will be a USATF official in attendance.

We expect to have pace leaders for the following groups, aiming for a finishing time three minutes faster than each BQ time. Some groups are harder to fill than others and we can't guarantee coverage for every group for the entire race. If you know someone who can help, please direct them to sign up at racemenu.com/charles

• 6:56/mile (3:02 group)
• 7:08/mile (3:07 group)
• 7:19/mile (3:12 group)
• 7:43/mile (3:22 group)
• 7:54/mile (3:27 group)
• 8:05/mile (3:32 group)
• 8:17/mile (3:37 group)
• 8:28/mile (3:42 group)
• 8:52/mile (3:52 group)
• 9:02/mile (3:57 group)
• 9:25/mile (4:07 group)
• 10:00/mile (4:22 group)
• 10:34/mile (4:37 group)
• 11:09/mile (4:52 group)

Pacing: We acknowledge that recruiting friends to help pace you during a marathon is common practice, and especially tempting on a ten lap course. We’ve capped the field size for safety reasons due to narrow paths, especially along the bridges. If you want someone to pace you, they must be an official entrant or registered pacer, or you risk disqualification. For more info, refer to USATF rule 144 (page 58.) Since most runners will be chasing a BQ at this event, we expect there will be a USATF official in attendance.

We love our volunteers!
This race would not be possible without the generous support of over 30 volunteers. If you're running, please thank them! If you'd like to volunteer, THANK YOU! Please sign up at racemenu.com/charles

Volunteer roles and responsibilities typically go something like this:

Registration

Registration volunteers assist with setting up the registration area, which includes tables, signs, bib numbers, safety pins, pens, and race swag items which may includes t-shirts or other wearables. As runners arrive, volunteers will help runners retrieve their number from a list, get their bib number, distribute safety pins, and distribute appropriate swag items. After registration is complete, volunteers will clean up any remaining items and store them until they can be returned to the truck. Tables used for registration are often used for the post race party, and often re-arranged rather than put away.

Bag​ ​Check

Volunteers will help with checking in runners bags in the Bag Check area. Before the race, volunteers will help set up a secure area that is large enough to arrange many bags. Materials needed include bag tags, markers, and trash bags. Runners will be given a tag to write their bib number on which should be attached to their bag. Bag Check volunteers will take the bags and arrange them numerically so they can be easily found when the runners return. The bag check area must always be attended and secure.

Course​ ​Marshals

Course Marshals assist with setting up the signage and cones along the course before the race. During the race, course marshals direct the runners along the correct course and ensure the safety of the runners by alerting other walkers, cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. After the race is complete, course marshals help clean up the signage, cones and any other materials along the race course.

Water​ ​Stations

Water Station volunteers assist with setting up the water stations along the course before the race starts. Water stations are equipped with tables, paper cups, gloves, water, and trash bags. Water should be pre-poured into cups (half-filled) before the runners arrive. Some volunteers should hold out half-filled cups and offer them to runners as they pass as others fill additional cups. After the last runners have passed, volunteers should clean up all cups and place them in garbage bags. All materials should be broken down and returned to the Start/Finish area.

Start/Finish​ ​Crew

Volunteers assigned to the start/finish area will assist with setting up the start/finish line banners, signage, cones and other materials. Volunteers will help runners line up for the race and ensure the race starts smoothly (with the assistance of the race director and staff). When the first male and female runner finishes, volunteers will hold a finish line tape for the runner to run through. After the race, volunteers will help clean up the start/finish area and load race equipment and materials into a truck.

2018 Race Results

2018 Race Photos

The recently renovated Studio Allston Hotel is conveniently located across the street from the start/finish line.

The Residence Inn Boston-Watertown, built in 2017, is just one mile away from the start/finish line and practically across the street from our after-party at Miller's Ale House.

Location: Herter Park/Artesani Playground, 1175 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA

Public Transportation: Harvard Square Station is a 1 mile walk The 70, 70a, and 86 bus will drop you a .1 mile walk at Western Ave & Everett St. Plan your trip here: Google Trip Planner

Parking: There’s a large parking area (lot #4) at 1175 Soldiers Field Road – the dog-leg for Everett Street which is adjacent to the start/finish area.

In the event of inclement weather, the event may be postponed to another date. No refunds will be issued due to conflicts with the postponement date. If RACE must cancel the event due to circumstances beyond their control, no refunds will be issued. Please remember, all proceeds go to charity.

Sorry, we do not allow bib transfers in the Charles River Marathon and Half Marathon Relay.