Runners' Almanac
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Late November · Southeast · Out-and-Back

NCR Marathon & Half Marathon

Sparks Glencoe, MD · Saturday, November 28, 2026

Event: NCR Marathon

  • Best for PR
  • Boston Qualifier
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Registration opens on the organizer's site

Typical start

41°

Cooler than 86% of U.S. marathons

Modeled historical conditions

Elevation gain

200ft

Flatter than 54% of races

Estimated total climb

Field size

800

Larger than 31% of races

Estimated field

PR potential

9.3/10

Top 25%

Almanac model

Percentiles compare this race against all 224 U.S. marathons in the Almanac.

Course profile

200 ft gain · 0 ft net

Flat course, out-and-back.

0510152026.2
Schematic profile drawn from total gain, total loss and course category, on a shared vertical scale of 200 ft. Not a surveyed GPS trace.

Race-day weather

Modeled from location, month and coastal proximity, not verified race history.

6 AM

33°

Start

41°

Midday

52°

ExcellentGoodWarmHeat risk

Typical start sits at 41°F, excellent marathon conditions.

Typical dew point 34°F, 22% chance of precipitation, wind around 7 mph. All modeled.

The bottom line

A quietly fast race that does not ask for much beyond honest pacing.

NCR Marathon & Half Marathon is a strong choice for a PR attempt, and Sparks Glencoe offers very little meaningful elevation. The tradeoff is atmosphere: expect long quiet stretches and few spectators.

Why runners choose this race

A out-and-back course around Sparks Glencoe, MD, with very little meaningful elevation change.

The case for it

  • PR attempts
  • Boston qualification
  • Runners who want a low-key start

The tradeoffs

  • You want crowds and on-course energy

Course and logistics

Course type
Out-and-Back
Surface
Road
Profile
Flat
Total gain
200 ft(estimated)
Total loss
200 ft(estimated)
Net elevation
0 ft(estimated)
Field size
~800 runners(estimated)
Crowd support
Quiet, low-key
Entry
Easy
Entry fee
$106(most recent listed price)
Day of week
Saturday
Start / finish
Start and finish in the same area

Race details

Typical timing
Late November
Next confirmed date
Saturday, November 28, 2026
Registration
Open now
Region
Southeast
Editorial tier
Recommended
Data last reviewed
2026-08-26
  • Best for PR
  • Boston Qualifier
  • Out-and-back
  • Flat course
  • Easy entry

Similar races

Races with a comparable profile.

Late January · Southeast

Town of Celebration Marathon & Half Marathon

Celebration, FL

Weather
54°Ftypical startModelled estimate
Field size
~1,200 runners
Course
Flat
Elevation
50 ft gain · 0 ft net

Event listed as: Marathon

PR9Weather9Experience7

Early November · Southeast

Savannah Rock 'n' Roll / River Street Marathon

Savannah, GA

Weather
55°Ftypical startModelled estimate
Field size
~1,500 runners
Course
Flat
Elevation
150 ft gain

Historic squares draped in Spanish moss

PR9Weather9Experience7