Cape Cod Marathon

Registration is open to all runners through RaceRoster starting December 1. It stays open until one week before race weekend or until the field capacity of 1,200 marathon participants is reached. Qualified runners can also apply for complimentary bibs through a separate process.

Yes, it is a USATF-certified Boston qualifier. That said, the BQ rate is below 6 percent, so the rolling course makes it a legitimate challenge to hit a qualifying time.

The time limit is 6 hours.

The course is a loop with a net elevation change of zero, but it accumulates roughly 600 feet of gain and 600 feet of loss across rolling terrain. There are no major sustained climbs, but the hills repeat throughout and the course never truly flattens out for long.

The marathon field is capped at 1,200 participants. Recent finisher counts have been in the low 1,100s, making it a mid-size race with a more low-key atmosphere than larger city marathons.

Mid-October in Falmouth typically means a cold start in the upper 30s and a finish in the low 50s. Wind off Cape Cod Bay can be a factor on exposed sections. Plan for layers you can shed early and take the wind seriously when you're deciding on pace.

The race starts and finishes at Mullen Hall School in Falmouth. Boston Logan Airport is about 60 miles away, roughly a 90-minute drive. Parking is available at the venue, and most runners stay in downtown Falmouth or nearby Cape Cod accommodations.