The Gettysburg North-South Marathon course starts and ends at the Eisenhower Conference Center. After turning left out of the complex onto Emmitsburg Road and then winds through the hilly back roads of southern Adams County. On the way to a turnaround in the neighboring state of Maryland, the course crosses the Mason-Dixon Line.
From the Race Organizers: The Gettysburg Festival of Races is the combination of three historic races in one single weekend! Come and race just outside the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg battlefield. Our course winds through beautiful wooded back country roads, past fields and farms, and crossed the historic Mason-Dixon line into Maryland and back.
Choose to compete in Gettysburg North-South Marathon, Gettysburg Blue-Gray Half Marathon, or 5K.
How does the Gettysburg North-South Marathon Rank?
The Gettysburg North-South Marathon was the 270th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 240th largest in 2022.
This year 3% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 4.4% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Gettysburg North-South Marathon the 357th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 333rd highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 96.94 ranks it as the 379th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 15th fastest course in Pennsylvania.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Gettysburg North-South Marathon a PR Score of 96.94. This PR Score ranks it as the 336th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 14th fastest in Pennsylvania.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Gettysburg North-South Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 555 feet (169m) Min Elevation: 378 feet (115m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Gettysburg North-South Marathon
View available accomodations around the Gettysburg North-South Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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DE's review of 2023 Gettysburg North-South Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
Review
I loved this race. It was very hilly course (1300' up/ dn). it never seems to flatten out. Being a double 1/2 marathon was nice as you were prepared for the 2nd loop. This is a tiny race with no on course spectators, so expect lots of running on your own. If you're like me, that's not a bad thing @ all. Also, the course does not go through the town or any of the battlefield locations. Just quiet country roads.
Race Tips
train on hills, particularly late in the run. 2 killers @ miles (11-12 and 24-25).
it's @ a hotel, so that's pretty easy. it does book up though.
LNW's review of 2022 Gettysburg North-South Marathon.
3 /
5 Stars
Review
Likes: Gorgeous scenery on back roads. I love that you cross the Mason-Dixon line as part of the course. You get a pie for an age group award! Double-loop. Easy to follow course. The map makes it look more difficult than it actually is.
Dislikes: No porta pots at the start/ finish and not enough on the course itself. Too many people crammed at the start with no arrangement based on pacing. Incorrect race info on the website led to lots of runner confusion. No traffic control or assistance.
Race Tips
Course is hilly. Train for hills and pace yourself.
Greg's review of 2018 Gettysburg North-South Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
I chose this race because I wanted to run a smaller-sized race. Last year I think there were ~300 marathoners, much different than the big city races I've run. This year they combined the race with their half-marathon (although we only shared about 5 miles of the course with them). Total marathoners was under 150.
But even though it was small, it was very well-organized. The course was well-marked. Communication before the race was appropriate.
Race Tips
The course is as advertised: rolling hills. Nothing heartbreaking, but not especially easy, either. You run through one of the battlefields early on, and back through it at the end, but most of the race is countryside: farm fields, dairies, some housing tracts. Beautiful views of the landscape, a river or two, that kind of thing.
There was a little crowd support here and there, but nothing really exciting, so if that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere.
They have two host hotels right at the start line. I stayed at the Wyndham and if you book two nights, you're guaranteed late check-out (2:00) on Sunday. The starting line is literally in the parking lot between the hotels and the movie theater, which is where bib pickup was on Saturday.
4 Stars from 3 Reviews
