MCRRC Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon & 50K

Welcome to the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon & 50K, where you will experience some of Montgomery County's finest single-track trails. This is a challenging, but beautiful run for all!

The Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon and 50K is a low-key, low-priced, and fun-filled event along the beautiful Seneca Creek Greenway Trail and parallel trails. Marathon and 50K participants will have the option to choose their final distance during the race (either stop at the finish line for the "marathon" or keep going to complete the 50K).

All participants will receive a custom race bib, short-sleeved tech shirt, and a finisher's medal!

Seneca Greenway is pleased to offer some amazing aid stations.  Aid stations are spaced every 5 to 8 miles and with dedicated volunteers, water, Gatorade, and snacks.

Seneca Creek State Park

Location: Mile 0

• Restrooms available
• 7:30 AM start

Rt. 28

Location: Mile 7.3

• Drinks and snacks
• Restrooms available

Berryville Road - CUTOFF 12:45 PM

Location: Mile 15

• Drinks and snacks
• Drop bags
• Restrooms available

Rt. 28 - CUTOFF 2:45 PM

Location: Mile 19.5

• Drinks and snacks
• Restrooms available

Riffle Ford Road - CUTOFF 4:15 PM

Location: Mile 26.8  

• Drinks and snacks
• Restrooms available

Decision Point - CUTOFF 3:30 PM

Location: Mile 27

Marathon Finish - CUTOFF 5:15 PM

Location: Mile ~28

• Restroom available

50K Finish - CUTOFF 5:15 PM

Location: Mile ~31.9 

• Restroom available

Coming soon!

COURSE MAPS

The course will be single track dirt trails on rolling hills with a total elevation gain of ~ 2200ft. Please note the “marathon” is closer to 28 miles. Expect mud, ice, rocks, roots, and slick crossings – be careful!

Please view the course map below:

PACKET PICKUP

Packet pickup will be held on RACE DAY ONLY, from 6:30-7:30 AM at the race site.

START LOCATION

The race starts and finishes in Seneca Creek State Park at the Nuthatch Pavilion.  The address for Seneca Creek State Park is 11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878 (Google map; GPS: 39.141111, -77.266222).

Directions: From I-270, exit at Clopper Rd W (MD 117). Proceed about 2 miles to the Seneca Creek State Park entrance on your left.

PARKING

Following signs to the race parking after you pass the gatehouse (turn right, then go 3/4 of a mile to sign for Nuthatch & Bluejay). Parking will be at the parking lot at the Nuthatch Pavilion and along the entry drive. Please follow the instructions of the parking volunteers.

BAG DROPS

Seneca Greenway will have 1 drop bag location on race day.  Bags will be accepted at the start and will be transported to the Berryville Road Aid Station before eventually being transported to the finish.

Please clearly label your bag with your last name and bib number.  Our volunteers will attempt to sort them alphabetically.  Please kindly refrain from packing bags that are oversized or heavy -- our volunteers work hard enough on race day!

COURSE CUTOFF TIMES

All Marathon & 50K participants will start at 7:30 AM.  Participants may choose at the decision point (27 miles) to opt for the marathon or run a loop around Clopper Lake to complete the 50K. After 3:30 PM, the 50K option is no longer available at the decision point and all remaining participants are diverted to the Marathon finish.  Cutoff times will be strictly enforced due to our permits.

COURSE ETIQUETTE

When attempting to pass another participant or trail user, you should offer a polite warning such as "on your left" prior to carefully passing.  Please ALWAYS pass on the left.   On the other hand, if another participant is looking to pass you, kindly move to the right and let them by.

Please do not, under any circumstances, throw trash on the trail or anywhere other than a proper receptacle.  You may carry your trash with you or leave it at one of the aid stations.   Litter left on the trails or in the parks will jeopardize our acquisition of future permits and if seen, will result in disqualification from the race.

Finally, please thank the volunteers.  Without them, we wouldn't be able to offer this event.  Their hard work and dedication (especially in adverse weather) is greatly appreciated.

SAFETY

All participants MUST stop at road crossings.  Cars do still have the right of way during this event.  Course marshals will be present, but their job is not to stop traffic.

Please carry a cell phone. The race is on single-track, dirt trails that may be icy, snowy, or muddy with rocks, roots, and slick wooden bridges. Please pay attention and use caution at all times. With that, please do stay on the designated trails.  They were constructed to eliminate erosion, protect vegetation and keep soil on the trails.

If you find yourself injured, please inform another participant and ask that they notify race officials at the next aid station or checkpoint.

Headphones are discouraged during this event.  Their use makes it difficult to hear people or animals coming up behind or beside you.

DNF’S

If for any reason you find yourself unable to finish the race, please make your way to the nearest aid station and let the volunteers know.   If you don't have a phone, they can assist you in calling a friend or a lift service to transport you back to your car.

As this race is in March, the weather is very unpredictable. In the past, we’ve had some weather incidents which have interfered with the race plans.

In the event of inclement weather, we will work with our permitting partners to make the tough decision as to whether or not to cancel the race if the weather conditions are dangerous, or damaging to the park land.  Please note that this race is under the supervision of several park municipalities, who reserve the right to revoke our permits at any time due to damaging weather conditions.  It's important to understand that such a decision is not always in the hands of MCRRC, but we do take the safety of our volunteers and participants very seriously.

Please note that there are no refunds for participants who decide they no longer wish to participate in this event - even if such decision is due to poor weather conditions.

All participants are urged to check the race website as well as the Facebook page in the days leading up to an event for the most current event conditions and updates.

MCRRC members are eligible to receive a $5 discount to participate in the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon & 50K.  The discount will be applied automatically at checkout for all persons with a current MCRRC membership.  You will need to be signed in to RunSignup to be recognized as a member.  Should you have any questions or problems, please contact office@mcrrc.org for assistance.