2012 Course Map -
The half marathon will travel on a course almost identical to 2011. The full marathon will do one loop of the half marathon, then branch off at about mile 11 and go further into residential roads in Hampton. The second loop of the marathon will contain 3-4 new miles of new course, then joining back on the original course at mile 15.5 of the first loop. for 2012. Additionally, water stops are now 2 miles apart.
As of right now, the elevation guide we have shows this to be the flattest course in New England for a Marathon, and half marathon. The course will be certified and a Boston Qualifier with a start and finish matt for the half and full marathon. Note: These are details for the half and full marathon in 2012. The race course has been measured and certified according to the USATF and is a Boston Qualifier.
Course: Half Marathon (Certified: 1104RF)
Half Marathon course Interactive Link Half Marathon Course Map PDF
There are two small hills at miles 4 and 6, but the highest elevation gain is only 60ft!
Half Marathon Elevation Chart
=============== F U L L -M A R A T H O N =========
Certified: 11015RF
Full Marathon Course Map PDF Full Marathon Loop. (Interactive Course Map)
Full Marathon Elevation chart
*Course Maps are in 8.5 by 11 inch paper format
Course Description
Both the Half marathon and the full marathon travel on mostly scenic country roads and include miles of oceanside views. The course is very flat - for New England - and has only one medium hill you travel over once in the half and twice in the full marathon.
Our course starts in the center of Hampton Beach near C street, and north of the large Sea Shell. The starting line is about 1/4 mile north of the famous Seashell on Hampton beach. Before you start, why not plunge into the cool ocean water at Hampton Beach Park? It has a wide sandy beach with bath-house, showers and lifeguards (in the summer) along with blocks of attractions, restaurants, and hotels.
The race for the Marathon and Half all start in one place. Wave to all your friends and family as off you go south on Rt. 1A or Ocean Boulevard for about 1 mile with the Atlantic Ocean and Hampton Beach to your right.. After a foliage laden loop of Hampton's rural roads and neighborhoods the course heads for the small but picturesque town of North Hampton, first settled in 1639. Following the separation of New Hampshire from Massachusetts, this part of Hampton was known as "North Hill" or "North Parish. Just off the course are the Fuller Gardens, where you can enjoy two acres of formal flower gardens (hundreds of tulips and 2,000 rose bushes) on a turn-of-the-century estate.
There are century old historic homes, hay fields and stone walls all along the rural route. Some people love the inner loop even better than the famous ocean side of the cours.
This is a "loop" course where the top of the loop eventually ends back up on Rt. 1A by mile 9. This loop includes some of the most scenic Atlantic Ocean roads on the rocky New Hampshire coast. Enjoy unobstructed views of the ocean and the rocky cliffs at Little Boars Head, a seaside promontory that became a fashionable summer resort in the 19th century, and contains elegant examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture. You will travel on past North Hampton State Beach where it's still possible to find some peace and quiet, and you might even spot some hardy souls riding the waves. North Beach also has a sandy beach, bathhouse and lifeguards. Right on the water’s edge, the park offers beautiful gardens and places to spread out for a picnic or nap.
As you wind your way southward, you will have traveled the so-called “two-mile drive”, which is said to be the most spectacular ocean-side drive on the East Coast. On the left, nothing but ocean, on the right, expansive beautiful homes. Finally you'll return to finish at Hampton Beach and celebrate with a well-deserved after-race party.
Full Marathon Loop. (Course Map)
Both the half and full marathoners run together until about mile 11. At about mile 11 the full Marathon separates from the Half Marathon, please be aware and listen to race marshals and see our large signs. You will end up back on on Winnacunnet Road and then wind through some delightful Hampton areas neighborhoods. So the Marathon course is different from the Half Marathon from about mile 13 to about mile 18.5. At mile 19.5 you will join back up with the half marathon course on Woodland street and go to North Hampton just like the first loop. The marathon course has a medium grade hill at about mile 16.5 miles. This is the same loop we do in our Winter Half Marathon and this is a reasonably easy incline. The final 8 miles of the marathon course are the same as the half with those beautiful roads along the rugged New Hampshire coastline.
All miles are marked with mile markers and all corners have at least one arrow. At any tricky corners there are race marshals and police.
