The Clarence DeMar Marathon is a fast, point to point course which travels through towns of Gilsum, Surry, and Keene, New Hampshire.
The course is a net downhill, dropping approximately 500 feet from start to finish. It is not an entirely smooth downhill since runners will encounter some rolling hills during their net descent to the finish.
The Clarence DeMar Marathon was the 166th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 186th largest in 2022.
This year 11.3% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 12.9% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Clarence DeMar Marathon the 130th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 129th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.43 ranks it as the 113th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest course in New Hampshire.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are slightly above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Clarence DeMar Marathon a PR Score of 99.11. This PR Score ranks it as the 129th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest in New Hampshire.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Clarence DeMar Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 904 feet (275m) Min Elevation: 471 feet (143m)
I don't even know where to start raving about this marathon. I have run close to 50 marathons, including 21 Boston Marathon finishes, and I can say that this was my favorite and most memorable marathon. What is not to love?
- Clear, regular communication from the race director
- Easy logistics finding nearby lodging/hotels
- Efficient packet pick-up
- Meticulously organized buses to the start, with an indoor waiting area, and 5 minute walk to the start
- Race director gets on every bus as it arrives to welcome runners and give detailed instructions
- Net downhill course- there are plenty of uphills, but the change in use of muscles is welcome vs. a completely downhill course, and what goes up must come (more) down
- Beautiful course at the beginning of the fall foliage season
- The most amazing volunteers and race committee. I have never seen more volunteers, more FRIENDLY volunteers, that stick around for EVERY LAST FINISHER.
- Finish area at Keene State College, with post-race massage, locker rooms and showers (really nice ones!) to change post-race
The race director and organizers have thought of EVERYTHING that a runner needs to have a successful and enjoyable race. Everything. This year's marathon had 404 runners. I was nervous about it being quiet and losing motivation, but the course is beautiful, there are plenty of volunteers and spectators along the way, and the miles flew by. There is a half marathon that runs part of the course with the full, so after about Mile 8, the full does come in and out of the half, but it wasn't a problem with crowding and it was nice to have some sections with more runners.
The race director(s) of both the full and the half announce every runner as they approach the finish line. Cheryl, one of the race committee members, is just before the finish line, dancing and cheering in EVERY SINGLE RUNNER. Every race needs a Cheryl.
Also- the proceeds of the race benefit the local Rotary (which also provides many of the volunteers) and their programs, including one that fits every 2nd grader in the county with running shoes to introduce them to the joy of movement and healthy activity.
Run, do not walk, to sign up for this race.
Race Tips
First mile is a steep downhill, followed by a pretty significant uphill into Mile 2. The other noticeable uphills are around Mile 13 (longer gradual uphill) and through the cemetery (miles 20-22). Take the uphills EASY to make sure you don't gas yourself so much you can't take advantage of the many downhills. Train on hills, especially downhills so that your downhill form is efficient and doesn't burn out your quads.
Lots of affordable hotels within a few minutes of campus. Parking is free and plentiful if you are taking the bus to the start, just get there on the earlier side if you want to park in the closest lot to where the buses load. Downtown Keene has a ton of great restaurants- quaint college town with surprisingly good cuisine! The race does a pasta party the night before with a guest speaker (this year it was Bobbi Gibb). We did not go, heard that the speaker and event were great, the food was just standard pasta. We had a really great pizza and sweet potato fries at Fireworks, but there were so many good options in the downtown area.
Dena's review of 2023 Clarence DeMar Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Keene is a sweet little town and beautiful as the leaves are just starting to turn. Pre-race the director sent out many emails explaining all the logistics including bus schedules and packet pickup.
Race Tips
The course was hilly but mostly downhill. It is easier to get a PR on this course. There's lots of green and some turning leaves as you begin the race. You run through a beautiful park, on country roads, past farms with beautiful horses, a small lake, a stream (river?), and towards the end you even run through a graveyard! It's pretty cool with all the old gravestones. The weather said it was going to rain but it never did. The weather was perfect for running!
There's a Best Western, Days Inn, Hampton Inn and a couple others all near the college where you pick up your packet and catch the shuttles. There's a great little place downtown that has several restaurants and a couple bakeries.
BK's review of 2021 Clarence DeMar Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
I ran 2021, where Covid regulations were in place.
In general, this race was well ran. Everything from water stations, transportation and people to help along the way was perfect. I was so surprised to see so many people help you through the cemetery (mile 22).
If you are running the full, only thing to be mindful of is the half will intersect with you (multiple times perhaps). Running a 7:40p I seemed to smack into the start of the half marathon which was a shock and all of a sudden, you are running around a sea of people. The same is true after the dam, for the next 3-4 miles. After that it was fine, and that certainly gave you some energy, but also make it hard to keep the flow.
Race Tips
Be mindful that the first half has a lot of down elevation, makes it easy to run a bit faster. After you get to 14-15 you start to see more people to cheer you on.
Mile 22 is near the cemetery, and there is a lot of support there to help you up the few short hills. Power through that, and you should be in the final stretch.
