Roxbury Marathon / Half Marathon / 50K - Date: November 9, 2024


2024 Roxbury Fall Classic instructions

Headphones and earbuds are STRONGLY discouraged. If you do wear them, make sure volume is LOW or keep one ear free so you can hear normal voices and car sounds from your surroundings. All roads on the course are open to traffic. Runners need to hear any cars around them and move out of the way. Runners need to hear instructions from race officials.

Getting there

There is parking available at the race start and finish line at Hurlburt Park in Roxbury. If possible, car-pooling is suggested to make the most of the limited space. Map to get to the Start / Finish Area - Hurlburt Park - 18 Apple Lane, Roxbury CT: Hurlburt Park

Registration

Registration starts around 6:30 AM in the pavilion at Hurlburt Recreation Area in Roxbury, CT. This is where you sign in and pick up your bib and timing chip for the race. There is only race day bib pickup at the race site. There is no pre-race day bib pickup.

The 50K race starts at 7:30 AM Both the marathon and half marathon kick off at 8:30 AM. Please arrive at the park to allow enough time for you to check in -- half an hour to an hour prior to the race should be fine. Volunteers will be in the pavilion at the park to help get you signed in.

Please attach your timing chip to your shoe. We will have plastic cable ties if you don't have shoe laces to attach the chip. It should be attached somewhat like it is shown in this picture...

As you finish the race, please make sure you cross over the mat. You should hear a "BEEP" from the timing system as you cross over the mat. Please attach your numbered bib to the outer layer of your clothing on your front side, so race officials can see your number as you approach.

Early Bird Start for MARATHON and HALF MARATHON / official 50K start IMPORTANT - If you are likely to take 5 and a half hours or more to finish the marathon or half marathon, please participate in the Early Bird Start - at 7:30 AM. This early start is ONLY for marathon and half marathon runners who expect to take 5 and a half hours or more (AND for the 50K runners). This coincides with the official 50K start

Weather Looks great! (if a little chilly...) Forecast to range from 39 deg F to 53 deg F.

Running the race Note: The 50K, marathon and half marathon start at the same place, and the first segment of all races is an out-and-back. The half marathon turn-around point for the out-and-back is actually BEYOND the turn-around point for the marathon. The 50K turn-around point for the out-and-back is a couple miles BEYOND the turn-around point for the half-marathon.

There will be arrow signs close to the ground at all the turns and turn-around points. Due to the multiple-looped nature of the course, there will not be mile markers on the course, as they could cause confusion.

There are two AID STATIONS on the out & back section, one AID STATION at the start / finish line, and one AID STATION at the bottom of Hemlock Road.

Porta John at the the start / finish.

50K:

The course starts out with a mostly down hill 4+ mile trip to, then over Judds Bridge. After crossing the bridge and turning right on Walker Brook Road, the runners continue for 2 and a quarter miles and then turn around and re-trace their steps back to the start line. All that remains is a rolling 3.5+ mile rolling loop... which is started by continuing past the start line.

Although we will have water and gatorade on the course at a few strategic locations, if you have other hydration or fueling needs please plan to self-support. You will pass by the start/finish line several times, making it easy to get anything you need from your car as you go by.

MARATHON:

The course starts out with a mostly down hill 4+ mile trip to Judds Bridge. After crossing the bridge, the runners continue for less than half a mile beyond the bridge and then turn around and re-trace their steps back to the start line. All that remains is a rolling 3.5+ mile rolling loop... which is run five times. Each runner is responsible for counting his or her laps.

Although we will have water and gatorade on the course at a few strategic locations, if you have other hydration or fueling needs please plan to self-support. You will pass by the start/finish line several times, making it easy to get anything you need from your car as you go by.

HALF MARATHON

The course starts out with a mostly down hill 4+ mile trip to, then over Judds Bridge. After crossing the bridge and turning right on Walker Brook Road, the runners continue for less than half a mile and then turn around and re-trace their steps back to the start line. All that remains is a rolling 3.5+ mile rolling loop... which is started by continuing past the start line.

Safety Part Two:

The Roxbury Marathon course is run entirely on town and state roads, which are open to traffic. Stay aware of your surroundings! Please stay to the side of the roads wherever possible - if everyone around you is on the left hand side of the road, you should probably be on the left hand side, too. Only cross the road when it is safe to do. Make room for cars and trucks that want to pass you. On the 5-time loop for the 50K & marathon / 1-time loop for half-marathon, there is a right turn from the dirt road (Hemlock) onto State Route 67. At this intersection, please stay on the right hand side of the road when turning onto Route 67, and please stay to the right of the cones, if there any there.

ALWAYS move to the side of the road (or off the road if necessary) to make room for emergency vehicles with flashing lights or sirens on. If you run with music, please make sure it is at a low enough volume that you can hear approaching cars and spoken (don't make us yell!) instructions from race officials.

Other Information:

For volunteers and spectators, please do not cheer or support runners from Town Hall and the Roxbury Market. These are busy driveways and we have had a lot of near-misses in past years. The church at wellers/south/67 welcomes spectators on their yard and in their parking lot. Or go to the intersection of Chalybes / Hemlock or the intersection of Chalybes West / Hemlock. Or the start/finish line is a great place to watch your runner finish each loop!

Post-race food:

There will be food in the pavilion Most of all, have fun at the 2024 Roxbury Fall Classic 50K, Marathon and Half Marathon!