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Course breakdowns

Race guides

Every guide covers the course profile, where races are won and lost, a pacing plan, logistics, and the gear we'd actually race in. Written for runners chasing a time, a qualifier or a finish line above treeline.

Road marathons

[IMAGE — Boston Marathon course]
Point-to-pointNet downhillQualifier required

Boston Marathon Course Guide: Mile-by-Mile Strategy

Hopkinton to Boylston Street, the Newton hills and how to pace a downhill-first course.
[IMAGE]
Coming soon

[Chicago Marathon Course Guide]

[Planned: flat-course pacing, GPS drift downtown, weather contingencies.]

[IMAGE]
Coming soon

[New York City Marathon Course Guide]

[Planned: five bridges, First Avenue, the late Central Park climbs.]

Trail & mountain races

[IMAGE — Pikes Peak summit]
Out-and-back14,000 ft summitColorado

Pikes Peak Marathon Guide: Barr Trail Up and Back

Effort-based pacing for altitude, the climb above treeline and racing the descent.
[IMAGE]
Coming soon

[Western States 100 Guide]

[Planned: lottery, canyons heat, river crossing, crew logistics.]

[IMAGE]
Coming soon

[Leadville Trail 100 Run Guide]

[Planned: Hope Pass, altitude acclimatization, cutoffs and pacers.]

What every guide includes

  • Course profile and the key sections that decide your finish time
  • A pacing plan by effort, split or segment
  • Logistics: entry, qualifying, travel, start-line timing
  • Fueling and weather notes specific to the course
  • Race-day gear picks, tested by our editors