Boston 2.1 - Marathon & Half Marathon

Boston 2.1

COVID sure has made racing quite a mess for all of us.  In 2020, we had countless local runners whose goal races were canceled or forced to go "virtual" due to government mandates.  Large races had no chance, but if done correctly, small races could be held.  With that in mind, Boston 2.0 was born.  On October 18, nearly 100 runners lined up and raced hard on the Holmes County Trail on a USATF Certified course and the end result was magic.  WE WERE RACING!  It felt good!  There were too many PR's and BQ's to mention thanks to the perfect weather and the FAST course!  

By popular demand, we are back for 2021.  We do not know what the social climate will be like in the Spring of 2021, but we want to make sure our local runners (and beyond) have a racing home to show their talents.  This race will happen, but to make sure, the field of runners will remain small.  Sign up quick to secure your space.

Who:  Anyone who is targeting a Spring 2021 Full or Half Marathon!  Use this as your goal race or as a tune-up for another Spring Event.

When:  Sunday, April 11, 2021.  Staggered start for all runners starting at 7:30am.  Start times will be emailed to all participants on race week.

Where:  Parking will be in the public lot at Fredericksburg Elementary School at 160 W Clay St, Fredericksburg, OH 44627.  The official start line will be at the post at the start of the Holmes County Trail

The Course:  The Marathon Course will be a 26.2 mile out and back route completely on the Holmes County Trail.  The Half Marathon is a 13.1 mile out and back on the Holmes County Trail.  Mile markers and Boston Marathon town signs will be placed along the route to help create the Boston Marathon atmosphere.  The event will be held rain, shine, hail, snow, torrential downpour, driving winds, or heat so hot that it makes the tar on the trail literally lift!  You know, kind of just like the REAL Boston Marathon!  This course is USATF certified (OH20003MW) and counts as a Boston Qualifier!  Come race and make it count!

Aid:  For the Marathon, there will be water stations located at miles 4, 9, 13.1 (turnaround), 17, 21, and the Finish Line.  For the Half Marathon there will be water stations located at miles 4, 9, and Finish Line.

Cost:  Each participant will make a $40 donation with all proceeds after expenses benefiting Holmes County Rails to Trails Coalition.  With your donation you will receive a Boston 2.1 t-shirt, commemorative finisher's medal, and $5 gift card to Lem's Pizza where the official finisher's party will be held.  This race is FOR runners and put on BY runners...you'll see what we mean when you get here!

Social Distancing:  As in 2020, we will have the following precautions in place 

    -Touchless packet pickup on race morning.  Race items will be in clearly labeled zip lock bags under a pavilion near the start, you will serve yourself.

    -Face Coverings will be required at the start line until you cross the timing mats.  You will not need face coverings while racing

    -Staggered starts will be utilized to space out the runners on the trail.  In 2020 we released 5 runners every 5 minutes.  

    -Touchless recovery bags will be available after the finish line including water, snacks, and finisher medals.  Take and go.

    -Live results posting and no awards ceremony.  No need to congregate at the finish line.

    -Limited but ample aid stations.  Full and unopened bottles of water will be available at all water stations.

    -Limited field size to stay in compliance with government mandates.

Race Guarantee:  We will be very protective of our social distancing plan to ensure this race takes place.  We want you to be able to train hard all winter with the guarantee of a race at the end of the tunnel filled with snow and ice!  If the social climate surrounding COVID is similar to October 2020 or even a bit worse, we are confident our plan will still be sufficient.  If something catastrophic takes place, we are building the race budget to ensure we can give 100% refunds to all who register.  Likewise, if things improve and Large City Races start to confirm, you can transfer from the FULL to HALF at no charge even up to the week of the race so that Boston 2.1 can be your final tune-up if necessary.

*Please note that in attempt to avoid large group gathering, there will be limited spaces available for this event.  Sign up early and secure your space*