Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon/Half Marathon/10k

All race information is located on the race website: https://ex2adventures.com/rocky-gap-offroad-triathlon/

Escape the summer city heat and head for the mountains! Join us at Rocky Gap State Park in Flintstone, MD for the 22nd annual Rocky Gap Off-Road Triathlon, Duathlon, and Relay.

The triathlon race course starts with a two lap swim in warm clear waters of a mountain lake and the duathlon starts with a 2.7 mile semi-technical trail run. After the first segment, all racers head out to complete two laps of a mountain bike course that includes twisty lakeside singletrack, wide fire roads, smooth grassy sections, and a few rock gardens. Once completing the mountain bike course, racers transition to a 5.5 mile run that has rooty trails, smooth open flats, and a few ups and downs (of course!). All in all, this course is super fun and has challenged thousands of newbies and seasoned vets over the years!

What: 5th Annual Lock 2 Lock Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K

When: Saturday, September 12, 2026

Where: Entirely along the C&O Canal Towpath in Williamsport, Maryland

All three races take place on the C&O Canal towpath. The start/finish area will be Lock 44 (DO NOT USE FOR PARKING).

This is a BQ certified course! 2026 times can be used for 2027.

The course certification number is MD22006NP.

2027 BQ Standards

Marathon – race details

https://www.strava.com/routes/3038509126320956732 Course Map

The race will start at 7:30 a.m. on September 12, 2026. Cutoff time is 3:00 p.m. (allowing for a pace of 17 minutes and 11 seconds per mile. Runners will start near Lock 44 and travel in a generally southeasterly direction for 6.56 miles to Lock 43 (exact point to be specified, marked and staffed by event volunteers), then turn around and travel back to Lock 44. Course elevation is no more than 40 feet for the entire distance. Runners will complete this out-and-back loop twice. Aid stations will be at miles 2, 4, 6.56, 9.12, 11.12, 13.12, 15.12, 17.12, 19.68, 22.24, 24.24 and finish line. AS will be stocked with water, Gatorade Endurance, pickle juice, potato chips, and other TBD snacks. There will also be a tarp at the start/finish line where you can leave gu's, bottles, or other race day needs.

Half Marathon details

https://www.strava.com/routes/3038509126320956732 Course Map

The race will start at 8:00 a.m. on Sept. 12, 2026. Cutoff time is 1:00 p.m. Runners will start near Lock 44 and travel in a generally southeasterly direction for 6.56 miles to about Lock 43, then turn around and run back to Lock 44. They will complete this out-and-back loop one time. Course elevation is no more than 20 feet for the entire distance.Aid stations will be at miles 2, 4, 6.56, 9.12, 11.12, and finish line. AS will be stocked with water, Gatorade Endurance, pickle juice, potato chips, and other TBD snacks.

10K details

https://www.strava.com/routes/3038508438366518588 Course Map

The race will start at 8:15 a.m. on Sept. 12, 2026. Cutoff time is 11:15 a.m. Runners will start near Lock 44, run 3.1 miles on the towpath towards Washington D.C., turn around and run 3.1 miles back to Lock 44. Course elevation is no more than 10 feet for the entire distance. Aid stations will be at miles 2, 4, and the finish line. AS will be stocked with water, Gatorade Endurance, pickle juice, potato chips, and other TBD snacks.

A huge shoutout to Jeff and Jeremy from The Ultra Running Guys. They organized 'The Final Countdown' in NC for 4 years. I reached out to them and they have allowed us to "steal" their idea! Bringing this fun and challenging race to WV!!!!

You are invited to this unique race experience that has something for everyone. From new runners to experienced ultra runners, the start will be a cinch. But the longer you last, the more the Countdown will demand from you. And all we ask is that you demand the most of yourself, holding off your own "Final Countdown" as long as possible.

The course is a 1.33 mile loop located on the property of Amani Brewery. Their grass path is taken care of and mowed all year round. It is a smooth, fast trail, with a small hill or two. Every lap, all runners leave together and must complete the loop in the allotted time. If you finish the loop before the Countdown completes, you can take a break, grab a drink, check your social media, or whatever it is you want to do.

One thing though. Each lap will get slightly faster than the last. We will start with the first lap at 20 minutes (15:02/mile pace), and for each successive lap the countdown will be 20 seconds shorter, forcing you to go a little bit faster each lap. If you don't make it back before the Countdown reaches "0", your adventure is over. But we would love for you to hang out and root on the remaining competitors. The race ends when only one runner returns before the completion of "The Final Countdown."

To get the most out of yourself, you will need to plan to be conservative enough so that you can have fuel in the tank to turn the jets on in the end.

If you are ready for your Countdown to begin, register today.