Bucks County Marathon

The course is out-and back along the historic Delaware Canal State Park towpath trail from Washington Crossing Historic Park north through New Hope, Pennsylvania, turning around the the Virginia Forrest area, returning to Washington Crossing Historic Park.

Built in 1832, the tow path is narrow in some sections, requiring single file travel.

The towpath has several camelback bridge underpasses with low clearance. There are 12 bridge underpasses along the course, for a total of 24 under-passings. Tall people may feel the need to duck under a few of them. There is also a flight of steps at just past the 8 Mile mark you will also descend at near the 18 mile mark

The first and last 1.2 miles and a half mile at the 6 and 20 mile marks are on paved surface.

Field will be limited to 500 participants

November 18, 2012    Sunrise 6:50 AM   Sunset 4:42PM   FIRST WAVE 9:00AM

This is a rain or shine event. In the event or rain, canal towpath may be muddy

Start: In order to reduce crowding on the Delaware Canal State Park towpath, The Alternative Half Marathon will employ a wave start. Small groups based on seed times will be released over a ten minute period. Please be honest with your seed times. Incorrect times make travel on along the Canal towpath more difficult for everyone involved.

There will be gear check at the starting line.

Your family and friends can drive to several locations along the course to spectate and cheer you on.

There are areas of the course we will ask them to not travel to, as the locations have limited space. More information will be published in advance of the race.

We will impose a six and one half hour time limit on the course. Aid stations will be closed at a 6.5 hour pace plus the time last starter crossed the starting line. The turn around will be disassembled at 12:25PM.

There will be signs at each mile mark. We respectfully suggest that you wear a watch

We also encourage you to carry your cell phone. We will publish a medical emergency phone number prior to the race.

The race will be timed using ChronoTrack “D” chips, and there will be checkpoints along the course.

Aid Stations

There will be seven station locations, with EaglesPeak Water, Replacement Drink To Be Named and portable toilet facilities for a total of 14 opportunities along the course 

OVERLOOK (2.1 and 24.1),

River Road at Stoney Run Aqueduct ( 3.4 and 22.8), near the Revolutionary Run turnaround

Thompson Neeley Loop ( 5.75 and 20.65), new location new section of course

Odette’s ( 7.9 and 18.3 )

202 Bridge ( 9.6 and 16.6 )

Centre Bridge Inn ( 11.55 and 14.55 )

Virginia Forrest ( 12.9 and 13.3 )

Amenities

Long Sleeved tech shirts, to all registrants Finisher’s medal to those that earn them

Registration

Field will be limited to 500 participants

Awards.

Awards top three Men and Women and in these Age Groups:

Under 20, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-69, 70 & Older

AGE GROUPS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON REGISTRATION.

Beneficiaries

Portions of the proceeds of the 2012 Bucks County Marathon Series will benefit groups along the marathon course including Friends of the Delaware Canal State Park, Friends of Washington Crossing Park and area High School Cross Country teams

Parking

There is limited free parking at Washington Crossing Historic Park, please consider carpooling and arrive early.