Are you looking to Qualify for Boston, or run a Marathon PR in New Mexico?  If so, this race is for YOU!

Race Date: WE HOPE to Return in 2019!

2018 Races have been Cancelled!

Note:  Your Credit Card Charges will list "Robert S. Kennedy Oyster" New Hampshire or Oyster River Running Company, Durham, NH as the merchant name!

General Registration:   Opens 10 April 2018.  Scroll Down for Registration Options.  Questions, please email the race director Bob Kennedy at [email protected]

Race Director:  Bob Kennedy, Oyster River Running Company, Durham, New Hampshire. Please contact the Race Director Bob Kennedy at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Co-Race Director:  David Gonzales, Cross Country & Track Coach, Carlsbad High School -                          email:  [email protected]

Co-Race Director:  Diane Johnson, Cross Country & Track Booster Club, Carlsbad High School - email: [email protected]

Race Date: 1 December 2018 Saturday

Start: 6:41 am (Sunrise)

Start/Finish Location: In the Lake Carlsbad (Pecos River) Riverwalk Park at corner of E. Riverside Drive and Elmdale St. by the Band Shell. GPS Reference 904 E Riverside Dr, Carlsbad, NM 3,116 ft elevation.

Marathon Course: 2 identical loops, Boston Qualifier, USA Track & Field Certified Course # NM17002BK. Race Sanctioned by USA Track & Field (in process). Highest Elevation 3,146 feet, Lowest Elevation 3,085 feet. Elevation Gain/Loss each loop 264 feet.  See Official USAT&F Map below.

Half Marathon Course: 1 loop of the course, USA Track & Field Certified Course # NM17001BK.

Description: This is the lowest marathon/half marathon course in New Mexico and averages (3,110 ft) just 268 ft above the State’s lowest point (2,842 ft). It is a mostly flat and gently rolling beautiful course around Lake Carlsbad, a section of the Pecos River flowing directly through Carlsbad. Each loop of the course consists of 2.9 miles of paved bike/walking paths along the Pecos River and 10.2 miles of residential and park roads. There is one “downhill” from mile 9.9 to 10.5 (0.62 miles) that drops only 39 ft. It is designed to be the fastest course in New Mexico and the easiest for runners normally living and training near sea level. 

Race Participant Limit: We are restricting the Marathon to 100 runners and the Half Marathon to 200 runners.

Timing & Race Time Limit: This will be a gun-timed event, no chip time. Runners are expected to finish the marathon in 6 hours or less, but all runners will be allowed to finish regardless of time and all times will be listed in race results.

Post Race Party: Local Food and refreshments at the Finish Line. Continue the fun and join us immediately after the race for a COMPLIMENTARY Beer at Carlsbad's only craft beer brewery, Milton's Brewing at 108 E Mermod Street, Carlsbad.  

Marathon Race Swag: Sterling Silver Medallion to all finishers, quality cotton Long-Sleeve T, and Age Group Awards for top 3 in each gender/age group at 5-year intervals from 25 and above.

Half Marathon Race Swag: Finisher Medallion, quality cotton Short-Sleeve T, and Age Group Awards for top 3 in each gender/age group at 5-year intervals from 25 and above.

Additional Race Details & Updates: We will keep you posted through emails as needed through race morning. Be sure your email accepts Bob Kennedy [email protected]

A race to support the Carlsbad High School's Cavemen and Cavewomen Cross Country and Track Teams! Last year the teams received $1,500 from the Marathon & Half Marathon proceeds!

Sponsors: To be announced later! 


Registration is closed until further notice!

Note:  Your Credit Card Charges will list Robert S. Kennedy Oyster" New Hampshire or Oyster River Running Company, Durham, New Hampshire as the merchant name!


  • Marathon Registration for Residents of New Mexico

  • General Marathon Registration

  • Half Marathon Registration for Residents of New Mexico

  • General Half Marathon Registration

$5.00
$5.00

:
In consideration of accepting one or more entries into the Pecos River Challenge Marathon or Pecos River Challenge Half Marathon, I the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, hereby, for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages I may have against Bob Kennedy, Race Director, all race staff and volunteers, all sponsors, the people of the City of Carlsbad, New Mexico or the State of New Mexico, their officers, agents, and employees, for all injuries suffered by me in said event. I attest and verify that I am physically fit and have sufficiently trained for the completion of this event and that my physical condition has been verified by a licensed Medical Doctor. Further, I hereby grant permission to any of the foregoing to use any photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, recordings, or any other record of this event for any purpose.

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