Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon/Half Marathon/10k

Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon/Half Marathon/10k

Race Date

Oct 18, 2026

Location

Hancock, MD

The Experience

The WMRT Marathon/half marathon/10k is back for the 11th edition in 2026. The course is the same, the history is the same, BUT the race has been renamed for one of Washington County Maryland's greatest distance runners and the creator of the JFK50 Miler, Buzz Sawyer.    Frank and Mike of Altis Endurance have passed the race on to Katie and Adam Lowe of 2Lowe Run Company to continue the race's traditions. The Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K is set for Sunday October 18th, 2026. This race takes place in its entirety on the fantastic Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) located in - wait for it - Western Maryland. The race start/finish is located in the wonderful town of Hancock. The town of Hancock is a super trail town with great C&O Canal history and scenery in addition to the WMRT. Hancock is definitely a place to visit for those who love trails.   The marathon MD17006NP and half marathon MD17005NP courses are USATF Certified Courses. This is a good Boston qualifying course!   The marathon starts at 7:30 AM, the half marathon starts at 8:00 AM, and the 10K start at 8:15. The start/finish is located on the Western Maryland Rail Trail just north of C&O Bicycle at 9 S Pennsylvania Ave Hancock, MD 21750.

Logistics

Race Day

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Start Time

8:00 AM

Giveaway

T-Shirt

Start Location

9 S Pennsylvania Avenue, Hancock, MD, 21750

Directions

Course Info

USATF Certified

Course Type

Loop Course

Terrain

road

Difficulty

Ultra-Flat

Net Drop/km

0 m (Flat)

Separation

0.0%

Also Offers

26.2 Miles6.2 Miles

USATF Certified Course

MD17005NP · Expires 2027 · Western Maryland Rail Trail Half-Marathon

Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.

Historical Performance

Median Finish

2:08:16

9:47/mi

Winning Time

1:17:25

5:55/mi

Finishers (2025)

63

States Represented

7 / 50

Gender Split

51% Female49% Male

Finish Time Distribution

1:153:50

FASTER 25%

1:47:32

MEDIAN

2:08:16

SLOWER 25%

2:27:07

Average runner age: 42

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

44°

Afternoon (High)

65°

Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish

0.1"

Precipitation

10 mph

Wind

65%

Humidity

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