Rivers & Rails Marathon
Race Day Weather
Cool start, gradual warm-up
Runners will face a temperature rise from 39°F at the start to 51°F by finish. With a light headwind in the first seven miles and again at mile 9, pacing adjustments are crucial for those segments. A tailwind from miles 11 to 12 and 20 to 26 will provide some relief, so runners should conserve energy early and take advantage of the beneficial winds later.
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Race Info
The Rivers & Rails Marathon is a marathon, half marathon and 5K held in Brunswick, Maryland, starting near the entrance to the C&O Canal Towpath between the MARC train lot and the Potomac River. The marathon crosses the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers twice each, running through Harpers Ferry and Bolivar, West Virginia before returning to Brunswick; the half marathon crosses the Potomac twice and skips the Bolivar section. The Veterans Challenge 5K stays within Brunswick on a hilly course honoring veterans. The race debuts November 14, 2026, organized by Horizun Events, founded by Mike Buscher after he completed marathons in all 50 states.