2023 registration opens January 1, 2023! Bookmark this link to start the New Year on the right foot (or left).
2022 race day coverage: Results and links to photos
Train Smarter, Move Better, Feel Stronger.
Lock 2 Lock Marathon/Half marathon/10K is proud to announce our partnership with Elite Performance Institute!
Whether you’re injured, returning from an injury, or looking to improve your overall performance EPI is the place for you. As your training for Lock 2 Lock and other races, EPI can help you achieve your running and fitness goals.
What: 2nd annual Lock 2 Lock Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K
When: Saturday, September 9, 2023
Where: Entirely along the C&O Canal Towpath in Williamsport, Maryland
RD contact info: Adam Lowe, 410-231-9074 or by email at alowe218@hotmail.com
Registration will open January 1, 2023. There will be a limit to a total of 175 participants through the three events combined.
All three races take place on the C&O Canal towpath. The start/finish area will be Lock 44. The course is now USATF-certified (MD22006NP) and is able to service as a Boston Qualifier.
Timing and finish line services in 2023 will be provided by Racine MultiSports.
2023 Race weekend timeline of events
Friday, Sept. 8
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.— Packet pick-up at Cushwa Brewing Company, 10210 Governor Lane Blvd., Suite 2010, Williamsport, MD 21795
Saturday, Sept. 9
6:15 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. — Packet pick-up at Lock 44
7:30 a.m. — Marathon start
8:00 a.m. — Half Marathon start
8:15 a.m. — 10K start
3:00 p.m. — Cutoff time for all three distances
Be sure to register before July 30 to be guaranteed a T-shirt.
T-shirts
Be sure to register on or before July 30 to ensure you get a T-shirt.
Marathon – race details – click here for course map (Strava link)
The race will start at 7:30 a.m. Cutoff time is 3:00 p.m. (allowing for a pace of 17 minutes and 11 seconds per mile. Runners will start near Lock 44 and travel in a generally southeasterly direction for 6.56 miles to Lock 43 (exact point to be specified, marked and staffed by event volunteers), then turn around and travel back to Lock 44. Course elevation is no more than 40 feet for the entire distance. Runners will complete this out-and-back loop twice. Aid stations will be at miles 3.1, 6.56, 9.67, 13.1, 16.2, 19.68, 23.1 and the finish line.
Half Marathon details – click here for course map (Strava link)
The race will start at 8:00 a.m. Cutoff time is 3:00 p.m. Runners will start near Lock 44 and travel in a generally southeasterly direction for 6.56 miles to about Lock 43, then turn around and run back to Lock 44. They will complete this out-and-back loop one time. Course elevation is no more than 20 feet for the entire distance.Aid stations will be at miles 3.1, 6.56, 9.67 and the finish line.
10K details
The race will start at 8:15 a.m. Cutoff time is 3:00 p.m. Runners will start near Lock 44, run 3.1 miles on the towpath towards Washington D.C., turn around and run 3.1 miles back to Lock 44. Course elevation is no more than 10 feet for the entire distance.Aid stations will be at miles 3.1 and the finish line.
The view from the starting line.
Course/terrain description
From a cycling site, here’s a general description of what runners can expect along the towpath: “The (running) surface of the towpath varies from section to section but most of it can best be described as a dirt road … The surface is not terribly rough, but be prepared to navigate around potholes, roots, rocks and mud. Expect conditions to be a bit rougher than your typical crushed limestone surface found on rail-trails. The (towpath) tends to gather water on the trail forming sometimes unavoidable puddles.”
Staging area
The start/finish line for all three races will be about 0.2 miles north of Lock 44 (mile 99.5) on the towpath in Williamsport, Maryland. Lock 44 will serve as a landmark for where morning packet pick-up takes place and where all awards will be given out after the race. There will be a few tables set up for packet pick-up, T-shirts, aid station fare, and other race needs.
Parking for race participants
All participants will be required to park either in the Cushwa Basin parking lot or in the Williamsport Park parking lot.
Lock 44 along the towpath in Williamsport, Maryland.
Sanitary facilities
There will be two portable toilets to be placed in the Lock 44 parking lot. There is also a portable toilet at Mile 4 (marathon runners will pass this location four times, half marathon runners will pass this location twice).
Runner/Volunteer instructions
All volunteers, plus participants who enter a valid email address, will receive an email with instructions, including any COVID-related updates, in the days leading up to race weekend. The information for participants will also be posted on this page — the official event website — as well as shared on social media.
Swag / Awards
All runners will receive a T-shirt and medal. There will be awards for the Top Male & Top Female, as well as Top Masters (40-plus) Male and Top Masters Female, in each of the three distances.
Pacers
Pacers must be individually registered for any of the three distances.
Social media
Facebook (coming soon)
Instagram — lock2lockmarathon
