Walter Childs Marathon
Walter Childs Marathon race day weather
Cool conditions, moderate winds
Runners will face temperatures starting at 41°F and rising to 55°F. With a steady wind from the NW at 20 mph, pacing adjustments may be necessary, particularly in open areas. Humidity is low at 45%, allowing for a comfortable run without hydration concerns.
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Walter Childs Marathon route and elevation
The Walter Childs Marathon course has about 337 ft (103 m) of climbing and 337 ft (103 m) of descent, and finishes near the elevation it starts. It is flatter than 75% of the marathon courses racecast.io has mapped, measured by what the hills cost in time. It has no steep miles: no mile climbs more than 45 ft (14 m).
What the hills cost
- 3:30 on a flat course is about 3:30:25 here (25 seconds slower).
- 4:00 on a flat course is about 4:00:30 here (30 seconds slower).
- 4:30 on a flat course is about 4:30:30 here (30 seconds 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 | 28 ft | 32 ft | 7:58 | 9:07 | 10:15 |
| 2 | 20 ft | 18 ft | 8:01 | 9:09 | 10:18 |
| 3 | 9 ft | 15 ft | 7:58 | 9:07 | 10:15 |
| 4 | 13 ft | 13 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:16 |
| 5 | 45 ft | 40 ft | 8:01 | 9:10 | 10:20 |
| 6 | 25 ft | 15 ft | 8:05 | 9:14 | 10:23 |
| 7 | 10 ft | 25 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:12 |
| 8 | 14 ft | 11 ft | 8:01 | 9:10 | 10:19 |
| 9 | 42 ft | 29 ft | 8:06 | 9:15 | 10:24 |
| 10 | 27 ft | 24 ft | 8:02 | 9:10 | 10:19 |
| 11 | 10 ft | 28 ft | 7:55 | 9:04 | 10:12 |
| 12 | 12 ft | 7 ft | 8:02 | 9:11 | 10:19 |
| 13 | 24 ft | 24 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:17 |
| 14 | 32 ft | 34 ft | 7:59 | 9:07 | 10:16 |
| 15 | 21 ft | 13 ft | 8:03 | 9:13 | 10:22 |
| 16 | 7 ft | 20 ft | 7:57 | 9:05 | 10:13 |
| 17 | 14 ft | 13 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:17 |
| 18 | 42 ft | 41 ft | 8:00 | 9:09 | 10:17 |
| 19 | 28 ft | 14 ft | 8:07 | 9:16 | 10:26 |
| 20 | 11 ft | 25 ft | 7:56 | 9:05 | 10:12 |
| 21 | 11 ft | 11 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:17 |
| 22 | 34 ft | 25 ft | 8:04 | 9:13 | 10:22 |
| 23 | 24 ft | 28 ft | 7:58 | 9:07 | 10:15 |
| 24 | 24 ft | 20 ft | 8:01 | 9:10 | 10:19 |
| 25 | 10 ft | 13 ft | 7:59 | 9:07 | 10:16 |
| 26 | 26 ft | 12 ft | 8:07 | 9:16 | 10:25 |
| Last 0.2 | 5 ft | 16 ft | 1:44 | 1:59 | 2:14 |
Explore the Walter Childs Marathon course with the weather and your pace along the route, or compare it with other races.
About the Walter Childs Marathon
The Walter Childs Marathon, also called the Race of Champions, is held in memory of Walter H. Childs Sr., who founded the race and died in 1991. It served as the AAU National Championship and Pan American Games marathon trial in the late 1960s. The 2026 edition was the 62nd running, making it one of the oldest marathons in the United States. The course consists of six loops around Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on a certified dirt-and-gravel surface that qualifies for Boston Marathon entry. Source
