Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon/Half Marathon/10k
- Date
- October 18, 2026
- Distance
- Marathon · Half Marathon · 10k
From the Organizer
The WMRT Marathon/half marathon/10k is back for the 11th edition in 2026. The course is the same, the history is the same, BUT the race has been renamed for one of Washington County Maryland's greatest distance runners and the creator of the JFK50 Miler, Buzz Sawyer.
Frank and Mike of Altis Endurance have passed the race on to Katie and Adam Lowe of 2Lowe Run Company to continue the race's traditions.
The Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K is set for Sunday October 18th, 2026. This race takes place in its entirety on the fantastic Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) located in - wait for it - Western Maryland.
The race start/finish is located in the wonderful town of Hancock. The town of Hancock is a super trail town with great C&O Canal history and scenery in addition to the WMRT. Hancock is definitely a place to visit for those who love trails.
The marathon MD17006NP and half marathon MD17005NP courses are USATF Certified Courses. This is a good Boston qualifying course!
The marathon starts at 7:30 AM, the half marathon starts at 8:00 AM, and the 10K start at 8:15. The start/finish is located on the Western Maryland Rail Trail just north of C&O Bicycle at 9 S Pennsylvania Ave Hancock, MD 21750.
Distances & Pricing
Race Location
About This Sport
From Endurance Grid's Founder
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More running races in MD
Passport's McKenzie Strong Annual 5k - 2026
5K
Matzohball 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
5K
Blue Crab Bolt Trail Run - Schaeffer Farms
Jack Roberts Memorial 5K
5K
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon/Half Marathon/10k?
- Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon/Half Marathon/10k is a running event held in Hancock, MD. Learn more about the different endurance sports here.
- When and where is the Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon/Half Marathon/10k?
- Sunday, October 18, 2026 in Hancock, MD at 9 S Pennsylvania Avenue, Hancock, MD. Check the official event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon/Half Marathon/10k?
- Registration is handled through their official registration page. Confirm pricing, distances available, and sign up there.
Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon/Half Marathon/10k
Oct 18, 2026