Cape Cod Marathon
Falmouth, Massachusetts, MA
A legitimately fast BQ-friendly marathon wrapped in classic New England coastal charm — bring a windbreaker.
- When
- October 10, 2026
- Distances
- Marathon · Half Marathon · 5K · Marathon Relay
- Surface
- Road
- Course
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 598 ft
- Altitude
- 5 ft–49 ft
- Weather
- Cool
- Nearest airport
- BOS
- Suggested trip
- 2 nights
Score breakdown
7.5/10Strong. A strong destination race with real appeal.
Also worth knowing (not weighted)
Editorial score (v0.1) — full method on How we score. Never affected by sponsorships.
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| October | 54–61°F | Cool |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
Marathon
Loop · Road · starts 8:00 AM- Elev gain
- 598 ft
- Elev loss
- 594 ft
- High point
- 49 ft
- Low point
- 5 ft
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Starts and finishes at Mullen-Hall School (elev. ~7 ft). Miles 0–3 are very flat; miles 3–6 follow the reverse Falmouth Road Race course with rolling hills past Nobska Lighthouse (high point ~49 ft). A notable hill at mile 12 (~30 ft) is repeated at mile 23.4 on the out-and-back section. Course closes at 2:00 PM (6-hour limit). Boston Qualifier and World Marathon Major qualifier. Course Score 99.07, ranked 7th fastest marathon in Massachusetts.
Half Marathon
Out-and-back · Road · starts 8:00 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Turnaround at the midpoint; the second half retraces the first
- Aid stations seen twice
Held Saturday (day before the full). Flat, scenic out-and-back along the Falmouth coastline of Nantucket Sound. One short hill encountered at approximately miles 3.5 and 9.75. Capped at 2,000 runners; 3-hour time limit. Start time is 8:00 AM Saturday.
5K
Out-and-back · Road · starts 8:15 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Turnaround at the midpoint; the second half retraces the first
- Aid stations seen twice
Flat, fast out-and-back. Held Sunday morning at 8:15 AM, 15 minutes after the marathon start. 1-hour time limit. Part of the Lobstah Challenge when combined with the Saturday half marathon.
Marathon Relay
Loop · Road · starts 8:00 AM- Elev gain
- 598 ft
- Elev loss
- 594 ft
- High point
- 49 ft
- Low point
- 5 ft
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
5-person team relay following the full marathon course. Legs range from 2.8 to 7.5 miles. Capped at 100 teams. Registration closes 2 weeks before race weekend. Starts concurrently with the marathon at 8:00 AM Sunday.
Travel
- Base town
- Falmouth
- Nearest airport
- BOS · 100 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Good
- Lodging
- Good
- Facilities
- Good
- Trip length
- 2 nights
- Travel complexity
- 6/10
Cape Cod is a peninsula with limited bridge access (Sagamore and Bourne Bridges); fall weekend traffic can add 30–60 minutes each way. No practical public transit. A rental car is essentially required. Lodging in Falmouth is limited and books quickly around race weekend.
Providence TF Green (PVD) is also ~70 miles away and roughly equivalent in drive time. Barnstable Municipal Airport (HYA) in Hyannis is only 19 miles away but has very limited service (Cape Air only). Enterprise, Avis, and Hertz operate in Falmouth itself.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- BQ seekers
- first-time marathoners
- destination race weekenders
- runners who love coastal scenery
- relay teams
- Boston hopefuls
- coastal scenery lovers
- runners seeking a supportive small-town vibe
Avoid if
- you hate wind exposure
- you need big-city race infrastructure
- you're traveling from far away without a car
- you dislike rolling hills
- require a flat course
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating Cape Cod's October wind — the coastal stretches have zero windbreak and 18+ mph average winds. Also, bridge traffic over the Sagamore or Bourne Bridge can add 30–60 minutes to your drive from Boston on race weekend mornings.
Photos
Tap a photo to enlarge.
Where to stay, eat & explore
Local picks for the weekend.
- Nobska Lighthouse Activity
Iconic lighthouse passed on the marathon course between miles 3–6; worth a visit pre- or post-race.
The marathon runs portions of the famous Falmouth Road Race course in reverse — a fun preview run the day before.
- Inn on the Square Lodging
Hotel close to the start/finish area.
- Falmouth Hotel Lodging
Popular marathon lodging choice.
- Quarterdeck Restaurant Food / restaurant
Local favorite for seafood and American fare.
- Coffee Obsession Coffee
Well-known local coffee stop downtown.
- Falmouth Beaches Activity
Several public beaches minutes from downtown.
Happening nearby
- Clam Chowdah Challenge Nearby event
Run both the Saturday half marathon and Sunday full marathon (39.3 miles total) for this unofficial challenge designation.
- Lobstah Challenge Nearby event
Run both the Saturday half marathon and Sunday 5K for this weekend challenge designation.
- Falmouth Running Club Partner / festival
The non-profit club that produces the Cape Cod Marathon Weekend; race proceeds support the local running community.
Runner reports
No runner reports yet — ran it? Share the first.
Sign in to add your report.
Race history
Race-trip notes
Falmouth is a small town; book lodging early as options fill fast during race weekend. A rental car is essentially required — there is no practical public transit to the race start from Boston or Providence.
About this race
Held at Mullen-Hall School since 1984 under the Falmouth Track Club's stewardship, the Cape Cod Marathon traces Falmouth's coastal roads past Nobska Lighthouse and along Nantucket Sound. Total marathon elevation gain is just 598 feet with a net-zero profile, but fall coastal winds add a real variable. The Clam Chowdah Challenge (Half + Full) and Lobstah Challenge (Half + 5K) make this a fun destination weekend for runners of all distances.
Last verified June 22, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.