In the months leading up to March 29, 1990 the Baltimore Road Runner's Club (BRRC) were making plans to replace the Baltimore Maryland Marathon and introduced the Northern Central Trail Marathon. A race course selection is like a business and what is important is location...location. The race course was the Northern Central Railroad Trail (NCRT). In 1838 the NCR completed the link between York, PA and Baltimore. The village became known as Heathcote's Station and it was one of the nine stops on the railroad line. Abraham Lincoln traveled the line on the way to deliver the Gettysburg Address. On April 21, 1865, the funeral train of President Lincoln left the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station in Washington at 8:00 AM. The train stayed over for some time at the Howard Street station in Baltimore. A segment of the commuter route was closed on June 27, 1959. In 1972 hurricane Agnes greatly damaged the railroad. In 1984 a seven mile segment was opened through the funding from the National Park Service the route was converted to a multi-use recreational trail (hard packed flat surface). In 1989 an additional 12 miles was added.

Along the course is white post with the letter "W" inscribed, it did not mean water (for the runners) but whistle for the train and was an indication that the train was approaching a grade crossing. The course offers the serenity of the open trail, away from the car exhaust, the flashing lights, and potholes.

On Saturday, November 29, 2008 the 19th running of the Northern Central Trail Marathon (NCTM) was held. The start of the race was at the Sparks Elementary School (Maryland). The event does not have the large crowds or the national elite runners. The NCTM is all about the business of running without the frills. The first 1.8 miles is on the slightly rolling road to reach the NCR trail as it winds along the Gunpowder River going north for 11.7 miles to the turn around. The return trip is 11.2 miles along the trail and 1.5 miles along paved rolling hills to the finish at the school. In 1990 a two-person relay team category was added.

"My strategy was to stay within what I thought were my capabilities. I didn't have a particular time in mind, but I figured for a first marathon that 2:40 would be possible. I did some long runs, and some strength-based speed workouts, but my weekly mileage rarely got out of the 30s due to time constraints and the occasional nagging injury," stated Doug Mock of Ellicott City, MD, making his marathon debut.

Mock went out with a small group of runners which included Andrew Combs of Medfield, MA, Luke Merkel of Washington, DC, and Christopher Pedi of New York. Going into mile 10 Mock found himself in control of the lead as the others fell off the pace. Mock went through the half-marathon in 1:18:02, Pedi passed in 1:20:32, Combs crossed in 1:20:38, Merkel in 1:23:20

The trip to the turn around was up a slight grade and the return trip was down which gave a slight edge. Mock was slowing opening a gap as the other runners could not cover any of his moves.

Mock made it through mile 20 in 1:58:25. The journey home after leaving the NCR took all the energy that remained as the lead was his to loose as the hills along Belfast Road were negotiated. Mock captured first place with 2:41:52 (the 13th fastest winning time). The event record was sent in 1995 by Robert Marino with 2:25:18. Marino was the winner in 1992 (2:29:25) and the only runner to have gone under 2:30.

"By mile 23, I was done. I expected that I would struggle at some point, and reminded myself over and over again that I came into it with no expectations. I'm 41 years old and a first time marathoner, so running 2:41 after being alone for the last 16 is pretty pleasing. During the last few miles, though, I don't think even a perfect pack would have made a bit of difference in how I felt or how fast I ran", stated Mock.

The second place went to Combs with 2:44:01 followed by Merkel in 2:49:12, and Pedi was fourth in 2:49:15.

The second master was Thomas Kramer of Gaylordsville, CT with 2:52:15. Charles Powell II of Abingdon, MD was third with a time of 2:53:23. Powell was third master last year with 2:56:13.

The leading female going out was Kristin Van Eron of Timonium, MD. She went through the half-marathon in 1:32:53. Last year Eron was runner-up with 3:13:03. Diana Widdowson of Conestoga, PA was second with 1:39:32 followed by Deirdre McCarthy- Gallagher of Rockville, MD in 1:40:03. Renee Bates of Germantown, MD was fourth and leading master in 1:43:11.

Eron was able to hold on to the lead to win with 3:17:57 (17th fastest winning time). The record was set in by two-time winner Joanna Zieger of Baltimore with a 2:47:25. Zieger is the only female to have run under 2:50.

McCarthy-Gallagher was runner-up with 3:26:33 followed by Katie Schmitt of Orchard Park, New York with 3:30:03. In fourth place was Bates with 3:32:47. Bates was the first master with the 16th fastest winning time. The master record was set in 1996 by Barbara Bellows of Ithaca, New York with a 3:04:02. The second master was Diana Widdowson with a time of 3:32:48. Valeria Kilcoin of Middletown, New York was third with 3:38:54.

Monika Bracken of Comus, MD finished with a 3:55:45. Bracken was the female winner in 1992 (3:14:30) and 1994 (3:00:28).

The top male team was AHS98 with a total time of 2:33:29. The team members were Joe Lamonte (1:16:21) and Mark Barela (1:17:09). The record was set in the first year (1996) with a 2:34:44 (Team MCRRC2)

The top coed team was Stimulus Package with 3:17:01. The members were Scott Smith (1:34:03) and M.B. Cochran (1:32:57). The record was set in 2000 by Team PK (Patricia and Paul Keating) with 2:48:50.

The top female team was 1 Fast 1 Slow Girl with 3:36:43. The members were Lisa Hannon (1:38:53) and Paula More (1:57:46).

New this year was a senior's category as Team Geezers was first with a 3:49:26. The team members were Ramon Molina (1:54:42) and Art Zulick (1:54:29).

This year the marathon posted the largest number of finishers with 415 (314 males, 101 females). There were 57 two-person relay teams. Through 200 there have been 5,438 finishers of the marathon.

In a class for one dedicated to the Northern Central Trail is Phil Anderson of Bel Air, MD On November 24, 1990 Anderson stepped up on the start line and completed the first year in 3:44:58. It was not intentional to be the only runner who has completed all 19 years. Anderson turned his best time in 1994 (3:42:24). This year his time was 4:54:16. This is dedication as Anderson did the business and left it all on the trail.

The success of the marathon goes to all of the club volunteers and the long standing Race Director, Dave Cooley.

On November 28, 2009 the Northern Central Trail Marathon will be celebrating its 20th year. To celebrate next year the race will be acknowledging all of the loyal runners who have helped to keep the race as a running alternative to the larger marathons. To all of the runners who have completed 10 or more of the marathons please contact George Banker with the years and times which you have run the event.

Awards Listing By Gun Time (No Duplicate Prizes)

                                 MALE OPEN
    1   490 Doug Mock                  41 Ellicott City MD        02:41:52  
    2    81 Andrew Combs               24 Medfield MA             02:44:01  
    3   456 Luke Merkel                25 Washington DC           02:49:12  
    4   459 Christopher Pedi           21 New York NY             02:49:15  
    5   224 Thomas Kramer              43 Gaylordsville CT        02:52:15  
                                FEMALE OPEN
    1   392 Kristin Van Eron           37 Timonium MD             03:17:57  
    2   455 Deirdre McCarthy Gallagher 39 Rockville MD            03:26:33  
    3   347 Katie Schmitt              27 Orchard Park NY         03:30:03  
    4    26 Renee Bates                41 Germantown MD           03:32:47  
    5   432 Diana Widdowson            42 Conestoga PA            03:32:48  
                                MALE MASTER
    1   430 Charles Powell Ii          42 Abingdon MD             02:53:23  
    2    10 John Anderson              46 Vienna VA               02:56:26  
                               FEMALE MASTER
    1   221 Valerie Kilcoin            50 Middletown NY           03:38:54  
    2    72 Jenny Chow                 45 Long Valley NJ          03:39:09  
                         MALE AGE GROUP:  16 - 19
    1   338 Kevin Rood                 19 Hamburg              NY 03:40:43  
    2   442 Bryan Cooper               18 Chagrin Falls        OH 03:41:43  
    3   314 Connor Pinkerton           19 Chagrin Falls        OH 03:49:08  
                        FEMALE AGE GROUP:  16 - 19
    1   254 Alisondra Maykranz         18 St Michaels          MD 03:41:53  
                         MALE AGE GROUP:  20 - 29
    1   471 Joshua Loren               28 WIMINGTON            DE 02:56:54  
    2   441 Scott Bonnette             20 Frostburg            MD 02:57:17  
    3     8 Collin Anderson            21 Baltimore            MD 03:00:44  
                        FEMALE AGE GROUP:  20 - 29
    1   200 Lauren Jackson             28 HAMBURG              NJ 03:35:11  
    2   125 Anna Fishbein              27 Chicago              IL 03:39:42  
    3    52 Olivia Brumfield           23 Brooklyn             NY 03:45:00  
                         MALE AGE GROUP:  30 - 34
    1    51 Karsten Brown              34 Front Royal          VA 02:56:48  
    2   313 Kip Pierson                31 Washington           DC 03:09:57  
    3   266 Jeff Mehr                  30 Chevy Chase          MD 03:14:24  
                        FEMALE AGE GROUP:  30 - 34
    1   227 Jessica Krummel            34 Rising Sun           MD 03:37:06  
    2   335 Elizabeth Roark            30 Conowingo            MD 03:47:23  
    3    24 Alexandra Barrage          33 Arlington            VA 03:52:46  
                         MALE AGE GROUP:  35 - 39
    1   100 David Doherty              39 TOWSON               MD 02:58:21  
    2    20 Rob Baker                  39 Bel Air              MD 02:58:42  
    3   225 Eric Krebs                 39 Roxbury              CT 03:01:26  
                        FEMALE AGE GROUP:  35 - 39
    1   475 Stephanie Grace            38 FREDERICK            MD 03:45:39  
    2     4 Vivian Adkins              39 POTOMAC              MD 03:50:38  
    3   333 Rachel Ridgway             37 IJAMSVILLE           MD 03:57:52  
                         MALE AGE GROUP:  40 - 44
    1   356 Peter Shaifer              44 Lutherville          MD 02:57:53  
    2   142 James Gardner              43 HILLSBOROUGH         NJ 02:58:03  
    3   114 Dejan Ernestl              40 BALTIMORE            MD 02:58:12  
                        FEMALE AGE GROUP:  40 - 44
    1   468 Laura Travisano            42 Ellicott City        MD 03:40:01  
    2    53 April Brys                 43 Towson               MD 03:46:34  
    3    62 Denise Calcagnino          41 Mattydale            NY 03:49:54  
                         MALE AGE GROUP:  45 - 49
    1   427 Kevin Yoder                47 Harrisonburg         VA 02:58:27  
    2   448 Brant Halterman            46 Broadway             VA 03:02:16  
    3   487 Kevin Baltzer              49 RIDGEWOOD            NJ 03:12:57  
                        FEMALE AGE GROUP:  45 - 49
    1   486 Nan Sheridan-Mann          46 FREDERICK            MD 03:55:52  
    2    65 Katherine Carney           48 Crownsville          MD 03:57:19  
    3   107 Linda Dunbar               47 Elizabethtown        PA 03:57:36  
                         MALE AGE GROUP:  50 - 54
    1   255 Denis McDonald             54 WOODBINE             MD 03:03:38  
    2    48 Chris Brigham              53 Roxbury              CT 03:13:07  
    3   431 Michael Tompkins           50 COLUMBIA MD.         MA 03:17:48  
                        FEMALE AGE GROUP:  50 - 54
    1   265 Ann Meckley                54 HAnover              PA 03:59:05  
    2   379 Nancy Stoltzfus            50 PARKESBURG           PA 04:12:00  
    3   194 Lisa Hughes                53 Hampstead            MD 04:35:50  
                         MALE AGE GROUP:  55 - 59
    1   219 Wing-Kwong Keung           57 PERRYSBURG           OH 03:28:36  
    2   440 Robert Bell                56 Bel Air              MD 03:31:06  
    3   470 Robert Bishton             58 FT.MYERS BEACH       FL 03:31:26  
                        FEMALE AGE GROUP:  55 - 59
    1   261 Robin McKenzie             59 Columbia             MD 04:40:22  
    2   185 Eann Hodges                55 Orleans              ON 04:41:14  
    3   105 Marcia Draikiwicz          55 Bridgewater          NJ 05:41:19  
                         MALE AGE GROUP:  60 - 64
    1   204 Von Jennings               60 Clarksville          MD 03:27:24  
    2   423 Ronnie Wong                62 BALTIMORE            MD 03:32:01  
    3    69 Greg Chaconas              63 Washington           DC 03:55:57  
                        FEMALE AGE GROUP:  60 - 64
    1   145 Carolyn Gernand            60 Alexandria           VA 05:02:08  
    2    58 Diana Burton               63 MIDDLETOWN           NJ 05:28:45  
                         MALE AGE GROUP:  65 - 69
    1   462 Royce Sayer                67 Oak Ridge            TN 04:04:51  
    2    43 Richard Joe Boys           69 COLUMBIA             MD 04:53:12  
    4   153 Tom Goodridge              69 Annapolis            MD 05:09:49  
                        FEMALE AGE GROUP:  65 - 69
                         MALE AGE GROUP:  70 - 99
    1   381 George Stump               71 CINCINNATI           OH 04:39:26  
                        FEMALE AGE GROUP:  70 - 99
                                TEAM : MALE
    1   630 Joe Lamonte                28 Mark Barela      Ahs98                02:33:29  01:16:21 
    2   638 Graham Peck                19 EVAN BURROS      Use To Be Dulaney    02:40:41  01:21:45 
                               TEAM : FEMALE
    1   624 Lisa Hannon                   PAULA MOORE      1 Fast 1 Slow Girl   03:36:43  01:38:53 
    2   612 Peggy Davis                56 PAM DAVIS        The T.P.'S           03:40:45  01:48:46 
                              TEAM : COMBINE
    1   651 Scott Smith                42 M.B. COCHRAN     Stimulus Package     03:07:01  01:34:03 
    2   618 Anne Ensor                    MIKE RHANIS      Hhs Connection       03:08:05  01:42:45 
                               TEAM : SENIOR
    1   636 Ramon Molina                  ART ZULICK       Geezers              03:49:26  01:54:42 
    2   632 Robert Mc Donald           71 JIM TUST         Mill Rats            03:52:22  02:00:18 

Full Race Day Results