Northern Central Trail Marathon
The ghost train will be rolling again on Saturday, November 29, 2003 just in time for the 14th Annual Northern Central Trail Marathon. The race is sponsored by the Baltimore Road Runners Club. This is the race which has all of the comforts of home, small crowds, and you are taken care of. You will have the freedom to do what you always want to do: run out in nature and not be concerned with potholes and automobiles. The serene tree-lined course makes you forget that you are running a marathon.

The race will start at Sparks Elementary School (Sparks, Md.) and run along two miles of rolling paved roads before reaching the Northern Central Trail (a former railroad right-of-way); it then goes up a slight upgrade for 12 miles. The return trip will be 12 miles along the downgrade. The trail surface is dirt and crushed stone and easy on the feet. The temperature usually is around the high 50s to mid 60s with a slight to no wind and close to ideal conditions. The race may be small but it's competitive and for four chosen runners there is a chance to earn $150 each for new records, male and female, the open and masters.

"It's a great course and lonely and fast. I was sucking the energy from the trees. I had great time. The kid behind me was about half my age and I was concerned about him. I'm never unconcerned until I cross the finish line. It feels good to win but painful," stated 2002 winner (2:37:25) Johnny Marino of Doylestown, Pa.

The men's open record was set by two-time winner Robert Marino of Annapolis, Md., 1995 (2:25:18). Marino also won in 1992 (2:29:25). Robert and Johnny are the only brothers who have won this event.

"I am pleased with myself that I was strong to finish. I stayed patient. My first mile was 6:41 and I was competitive for the first eight miles. I was concerned the last four miles. I heard that I had a good lead," stated the 2002 winner (3:08:45) Alisa Harvey of Manassas, Va.

The women's open record was set in 1998 (2:47:25) by Joanna Zeiger of Baltimore. "This was my first time running here and I set a PR. I heard it was a fast course; it was close and fun to do. I came here hoping to break 2:50. I was mostly concerned about a fast time," stated Zeiger. In 2000 she returned to take fist place in 2:49:06, the second fastest time. Zeiger placed fourth in the Olympics in Sydney in the triathlon and was the first American.

The men's masters division record is the oldest on the books and goes back to the second year, 1991 (2:36:03), set by William Desmond of Baltimore, Md., who was the overall winner. There have been three masters who have been the overall winners.

Barbara Bellows of Ithaca, New York set the female masters record in 1996 (3:04:02). There have been no other female times under 3:21.

In 1996, two-person relay teams were added and, to date, the men's record was set in 1996 at 2:34:44 by the Montgomery County Road Runners Club. The female record was set by Team Angie and Julie (Julie Deutschman-1:20:23, Angie Howell-1:03:21) at 2:50:44 in 2001. The coed record was set in 2000 by Team PK in 2:48:50 (Paul Keating-1:17:37, Patricia Keating - 1:31:13).

Race entries will be limited for the full marathon and the relay teams, so don't delay. The marathon fee is $55 and the team fee is $80. Online registration is available. See additional race details and map.

Don't let the train pull out without you!