Freedoms Run Marathon
Freedoms Run Marathon race day weather
Cool start, warming up steadily
Runners will face a temperature rise from 48°F at the start to 60°F by finish. Average humidity is 71%, which may feel a bit muggy for some. With light winds from the ENE, runners should manage pace conservatively, especially during the headwind stretches from miles 2-5 and 9-12. The course features beneficial tailwinds from miles 22-27, providing a favorable closing segment.
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Freedoms Run Marathon route and elevation
The Freedoms Run Marathon course has about 1,193 ft (364 m) of climbing and 1,301 ft (397 m) of descent, a net drop of about 108 ft (33 m). It is hillier than 75% of the marathon courses racecast.io has mapped, measured by what the hills cost in time. The hardest mile is mile 26, with 193 ft (59 m) of climbing and a 1.2% average grade.
Biggest climbs
- Miles 5.4 to 16.8: climbs about 235 ft (72 m).
- Miles 20.6 to 21: climbs about 100 ft (31 m).
- Miles 25.8 to 25.9: climbs about 110 ft (34 m).
What the hills cost
- 3:30 on a flat course is about 3:32 here (2 minutes slower).
- 4:00 on a flat course is about 4:02 here (2 minutes slower).
- 4:30 on a flat course is about 4:32 here (2 minutes slower).
Hills only, priced mile by mile on the course map. The pace calculator above adds the race-day weather.
Even-effort splits for a 3:30, 4:00 or 4:30 finish
| Mile | Climb | Descent | 3:30 | 4:00 | 4:30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48 ft | 51 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:12 |
| 2 | 50 ft | 68 ft | 7:52 | 9:00 | 10:07 |
| 3 | 46 ft | 221 ft | 7:22 | 8:25 | 9:29 |
| 4 | 12 ft | 31 ft | 7:53 | 9:00 | 10:07 |
| 5 | 21 ft | 38 ft | 7:53 | 9:01 | 10:09 |
| 6 | 17 ft | 2 ft | 8:04 | 9:13 | 10:22 |
| 7 | 14 ft | 4 ft | 8:02 | 9:11 | 10:20 |
| 8 | 14 ft | 0 ft | 8:04 | 9:13 | 10:22 |
| 9 | 3 ft | 4 ft | 7:57 | 9:05 | 10:14 |
| 10 | 7 ft | 7 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:13 |
| 11 | 4 ft | 4 ft | 7:57 | 9:05 | 10:14 |
| 12 | 9 ft | 3 ft | 8:00 | 9:09 | 10:17 |
| 13 | 3 ft | 1 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:14 |
| 14 | 3 ft | 4 ft | 7:57 | 9:05 | 10:13 |
| 15 | 7 ft | 10 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:13 |
| 16 | 53 ft | 4 ft | 8:21 | 9:33 | 10:44 |
| 17 | 160 ft | 23 ft | 9:09 | 10:27 | 11:45 |
| 18 | 66 ft | 113 ft | 7:46 | 8:53 | 10:00 |
| 19 | 112 ft | 126 ft | 7:53 | 9:01 | 10:09 |
| 20 | 98 ft | 105 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:11 |
| 21 | 147 ft | 124 ft | 8:08 | 9:18 | 10:28 |
| 22 | 131 ft | 81 ft | 8:22 | 9:33 | 10:46 |
| 23 | 40 ft | 132 ft | 7:37 | 8:43 | 9:47 |
| 24 | 37 ft | 136 ft | 7:36 | 8:40 | 9:46 |
| 25 | 7 ft | 4 ft | 7:58 | 9:07 | 10:15 |
| 26 | 193 ft | 132 ft | 8:27 | 9:40 | 10:52 |
| Last 0.2 | 33 ft | 11 ft | 1:58 | 2:14 | 2:31 |
Explore the Freedoms Run Marathon course with the weather and your pace along the route, or compare it with other races.
About the Freedoms Run Marathon
Freedom's Run is held each October in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, with a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and kids' one-mile fun run. The marathon starts at Shepherd University and finishes at Ram Stadium, running along the C&O Canal towpath and climbing toward Antietam National Battlefield. The surface mixes road, crushed gravel and grass, and the race lists more than 1,000 feet of elevation gain. The course is new for 2026. The race's Freedom's Run Grant has funded local trails at schools and youth and adult camps. Source
