Lock 2 Lock
Marathon, Half, 10k
Just keep running.
Find the 2023 race photos here!!!
Saturday, September 7th, 2024
The C&O Canal Towpath, Williamsport, Maryland
Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k - Boston Marathon qualifier!
Race director: Adam Lowe
Phone —410-231-9074
Email — alowe218@hotmail.com
Why do we love running “the Towpath?”
It’s flat, beautiful, and you can’t get lost. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep running.
Do you know the story? Adam, our race director, had a close call after running the entire length of the C&O Canal. We trusted the team at Elite Performance Institute to get him through physical therapy and back in running shape. When we looked for a top sponsor for our Lock2Lock Marathon, we were eager to get them on board. Thank you, EPI!
Packet Pickup & Race Location
RACE LOCATION: The start/finish area will be Lock 44 along the C&O Canal
Thursday, Sept 5
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Packet pick-up @Elite Performance Institute (19719 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown MD 21742).
Come by and pick up your bib, race t-shirt, get your Squirrels nut butter sample, sample and purchase coffee from one of our sponsors CloudSplitter Coffee, foam roll, use recovery compression boots inside EPI.
Friday, Sept. 6
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Packet pick-up @Cushwa Brewing Company (10210 Governor Lane Boulevard Suite# 2010, Williamsport, MD 21795).
Come by and pick up your bib, race t-shirt, get your Squirrels Nut Butter sample, sample and purchase coffee from one of our sponsors 'CloudSplitter Coffee', foam roll, talk to the trainers of EPI, grab a beer and a pizza to carb load!
Saturday, Sept. 7 - Race Day!
Parking for race participants
All participants will be required to park either in the Cushwa Basin parking lot or in the Williamsport Park parking lot. Parking at Lock 44 is very limited. Please use parking at either Cushwa Basin or Williamsport Park.
6:15 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. — Packet pick-up at Lock 44. You will need to park at Cushwa Basin or Williamsport Park and walk about .25 miles to the lockhouse.
7:30 a.m. — Marathon start
8:00 a.m. — Half Marathon start
8:15 a.m. — 10K start
3:00 p.m. — Cutoff time for all three distances
About the Races
Marathon- click here for course map (Strava link)
The race will start at 7:30 a.m. Cutoff time is 3:00 p.m. (allowing for a pace of 17 minutes and 11 seconds per mile. Runners will start near Lock 44 and travel in a generally southeasterly direction for 6.56 miles to Lock 43 (exact point to be specified, marked, and staffed by event volunteers), then turn around and travel back to Lock 44. Course elevation is no more than 40 feet for the entire distance. Runners will complete this out-and-back loop twice. Aid stations will be at miles 3.1, 6.56, 9.67, 13.1, 16.2, 19.68, 23.1, and the finish line.
Half Marathon – click here for course map (Strava link)
The race will start at 8:00 a.m. Cutoff time is 3:00 p.m. Runners will start near Lock 44 and travel in a generally southeasterly direction for 6.56 miles to about Lock 43, then turn around and run back to Lock 44. They will complete this out-and-back loop one time. Course elevation is no more than 20 feet for the entire distance. Aid stations will be at miles 3.1, 6.56, 9.67, and the finish line.
10K details
The race will start at 8:15 a.m. Cutoff time is 3:00 p.m. Runners will start near Lock 44, run 3.1 miles on the towpath towards Washington D.C., turn around and run 3.1 miles back to Lock 44. Course elevation is no more than 10 feet for the entire distance. Aid stations will be at miles 3.1 and the finish line.
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“The (running) surface of the towpath varies from section to section but most of it can best be described as a dirt road … The surface is not terribly rough, but be prepared to navigate around potholes, roots, rocks and mud. Expect conditions to be a bit rougher than your typical crushed limestone surface found on rail-trails. The towpath tends to gather water on the trail forming sometimes unavoidable puddles.” (From this cycling site)
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The start/finish line for all three races will be about 0.2 miles north of Lock 44 (mile 99.5) on the towpath in Williamsport, Maryland. Lock 44 will serve as a landmark for where morning packet pick-up takes place and where all awards will be given out after the race. There will be a few tables set up for packet pick-up, T-shirts, aid station fare, and other race needs.
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There will be four portable toilets placed in the Lock 44 parking lot. There is also a portable toilet at Mile 4 (marathon runners will pass this location four times, half marathon runners will pass this location twice).
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All volunteers, plus participants who enter a valid email address, will receive an email with instructions. The information for participants will also be posted on this page — the official event website — as well as shared on social media.
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All runners will receive a T-shirt and medal. There will be awards for the Top Male & Top Female, as well as Top Masters (40-plus) Male and Top Masters Female, in each of the three distances.
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Pacers must be individually registered for any of the three distances.
Our Sponsors:
Giving Back:
“We are beyond excited to announce that we are partnering with the Meritus Foundation to give a percentage of our Lock2Lock proceeds to the Perinatal Bereavement Fund. This cause is near and dear to our hearts, and we couldn't be happier to support local families in their season of mourning, processing, and healing from the loss of a child. Every race registration, direct donation, and race sponsorship will help us directly fund the needs or special remembrance items for these families.”
Learn more about our dedication to Giving Back and the Perinatal Bereavement Fund.
Hear it from 2022 Winner, Sarah Keshishian:
The Lock2Lock Marathon is an amazing race for both first-time marathoners and seasoned runners. This was personally my first marathon, and I could not have asked for a better experience. The camaraderie among all participants, the venue, the volunteers, the aid stations...EVERYTHING set me up for a 10/10 experience. It was a flat, beautiful trail, and I loved being able to share the course with both the half marathon participants and the 10kers. The volunteers gave so much energy at every aid station, and the race was run flawlessly from check-in to seeing my BQ posted on the Boston registration page. Adam Lowe runs a great event, and it was so special to be a part of the first Lock2Lock. It definitely will not be my last!
Written by the 2022 L2L Marathon Female Champion Sarah Keshishian.
FAQs
Are there training runs?
Sure! There is often a series of semi-organized (and self-supported) training runs to familiarize runners to the Towpath. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram for details, or contact us.
Can I get a shirt?
Did you run? Then, yes! Sign up by July 30th to guarantee a shirt in your size. All finishing runners will also receive a customized Lock2Lock medal.
Do you need volunteers?
Yes! We need volunteers for this event to fuel runners at aid stations. If interested in helping please send an email to alowe218@hotmail.com.
I’m a spectator. What do I do?
Gather around the start/finish line, stay clear of runners for their safety, and cheer loudly!
Will it be muddy?
Maybe? If it rained recently, there’s a very good chance of some mud. The Towpath is wide enough for a car (but pedestrian only) so you should be able to go around most puddles.
Can we swim in the Canal?
The canal itself is often dry, but the Potomac River (on your other side) is wild, beautiful, and rather dangerous. For your safety, we’d rather you didn’t swim in either.