Fewer than one percent of people in the world will ever complete a marathon in their lifetime. Runners dedicate months of vigorous consistent training to equip their bodies to undertake the impressive 26.2 mile feat. Each year major cities around the globe from Boston to Tokyo host hundreds of thousands of athletes as they put their training to the test.
In Mathews County, however, a much smaller crowd of a couple hundred runners gather for the “World’s Flattest Marathon” each October.
Nearly 30 miles of rural back roads and scenic trails along the Chesapeake Bay twist and turn through Mathews County for what could possibly be the most peaceful marathon in the world. Although the race may be small in comparison to major marathons around the world in terms of participation, the Mathews Marathon offers some of the most exceptional views with a small-town community feel you just can’t find with other races.
On Saturday, October 17, a couple hundred athletes will convene in the historic town center of Mathews to begin their journey along the bay until they circle back to the town center and cross the finish line.
This marks the sixth annual Mathews Marathon and Half Marathon and each year the race grows.
According to Christine Johnson, president of the Mathews Outdoor Club and organizer of the annual marathon, they are anticipating their largest turn out yet.
In 2021, the Marathon saw 134 participants. This year, Christine expects a little over 200 people will run either the full marathon or the half.
“It’s a great aspect of the race. You have space and you’re not overcrowded at all,” she said.
Because Mathews is such a small area, the race is capped at 500 participants. While they have yet to reach their limit, they’re getting closer, she said.
When Christine and her husband relocated to Mathews 13 years ago from a suburb of Baltimore, they were loving the quaint beauty of the area but missed the running and overall athletic community they left behind in Maryland.
Despite not having much experience in event planning and organizing, Christine said if she didn’t start to facilitate a running community, it probably wouldn’t happen.
She started small, organizing some 5k races within town. As the community grew, the race did, too.
“Running here is a dream. I knew we had the right place to work with, we just had to put it all together,” she said.
With the formation of the Mathews Outdoor Club in 2021, the incredibly picturesque landscape of the area has become a focal point for sports tourism.
Runners travel from all along the eastern seaboard and beyond to participate in the Mathews Marathon, Christine said.
“A lot of people will utilize this course for their first experience in racing,” she said. Because the course is not crowded and completely flat, it’s more welcoming than it is intimidating.
“It’s a very amateur friendly race,” she said.
The course is nearly completely comprised of country backroads.
“You’ll see more animals than cars or people along the course,” Christine added.
There’s even a stretch along the course where horses have been known to canter alongside runners as they pass by, acting as a support system for athletes.
Runners can expect a quiet, serene experience as they travel along the course. Those participating in the full marathon will encounter Haven Beach, Aarons Beach and Whites Creek Beach. Those participating in the half-marathon will run alongside Haven Beach.
The course, which travels primarily along dirt and gravel country roads also is shaded well by trees. According to Christine, more than 50% of the race is in the shade.
One of the marathon’s most defining features is its total flatness. Designated as the “World’s Flattest Marathon,” athletes will enjoy the consistency of the lack of elevation gain.
Aside from the unparalleled beauty, the course is officially a Boston Qualifier.
For most runners, the Boston Marathon is the pinnacle for races. It’s the oldest annual marathon, dating from 1897, and is considered highly prestigious in the racing world. Not anyone can just sign up, however. To qualify, runners must complete a certified marathon in a strict window of time based on their age bracket.
Earlier this year, USA Track and Field arrived in Mathews for a two-day survey to certify the course as an official Boston Marathon Qualifier.
For those who may not be as competitive and are looking for a workout with friends, the five-person relay has become a popular option for runners.
“That’s often a rowdy and fun group of people that compete in the relay,” Christine said.
The half marathon is another popular option for those who may not have built up their stamina for the full race. Nonetheless, 13.1 miles is an impressive feat for anyone.
While the quaint backroads may not be filled with spectators, when athletes cross the finish line in town center, they’re greeted by observers supporting racers and by shoppers at the Mathews Farmers Market, which also is held in the town center at the same time as the race.
“It’s an amazing, small town community feel to the race,” Christine said.
The community benefits from the race, too.
“We anticipate that every participant on average will spend $250 locally per day they’re in town for the race. Last year the race contributed $350,000 to the local economy,” she said.
The Mathews Outdoors Club also partners with area clubs and community groups to organize the events, making sure the proceeds stay local.
High schoolers from Mathews along with area church members serve as course marshals, truly emphasizing the community atmosphere.
The night before the race, the Mathews Family YMCA hosts a complimentary carbo-load dinner during packet-pickup from 4-7 p.m.
Along with a sense of pride and bragging rights for completing such a feat, athletes receive a custom hoodie sweatshirt and a finisher medal to commemorate the triumph.
For those who are thinking about signing up for the race, Christine offered a few important pieces of advice.
First and foremost, “don’t go out and wing it,” she said. Regardless if you’re running the full or the half, that much mileage is a serious feat that requires diligent training. Plus, it’s much more enjoyable when you’re prepared.
Second, try to not let the initial adrenaline rush sabotage the rest of the race, she said. All the excitement may have you running faster than normal, but it’s important to keep your own pace so you don’t over exert yourself and find yourself gassed by mile two.
Last but not least, don’t forget to take it all in. “Take your time, notice the scenery, and enjoy the ride,” she said.
The registration deadline to participate in this year’s race is October 10.
Mathews Outdoor Club:
Striving to enhance recreational opportunities
The mission of the Mathews Outdoor Club (MOC) is to encourage the use of Mathews’ beautiful outdoors for recreation. The organization has sponsors and organizes four major events each year.
To donate or get involved in the MOC’s efforts, visit mocva.net.
Tour de Chesapeake
Each Spring, cyclists are invited to participate in the Tour de Chesapeake which features rural, flat roads with water at every turn. There are four routes, all totaling about 25 miles each, which take cyclists from Gwynn’s Island to Bethel Beach to the New Point Lighthouse. One of the routes even offers a water taxi on a Chesapeake Bay deadrise as a part of one of the routes. The ride concludes with a party at the Riverfront Pavilion at Williams Wharf Landing.
Islander Regatta
From paddle boards to kayaks and canoes, all human-powered vessels are invited to paddle the Islander Regatta, a nine mile paddle around Gwynn’s Island each June.
Wharf to Wharf Swim
Each August, the Wharf to Wharf Swim crosses the East River and follows the shoreline then crosses back, completing a triangle for a one-mile swim.
Other projects
Other than hosting outdoor events, the MOC works to improve Mathews for day-to-day recreation, too. The MOC is currently working on efforts to widen roadway shoulders to allow for better and safer utilization of the roadways for non-automobile traffic.
The MOC also launched a project to upgrade the existing Mathews Blueways Trails in 2025. Primary goals of this project include information kiosks and enhancing visitor usage and exposure.
The MOC has goals of public multi-use trips for the community. They’re working on finding opportunities to implement multi-use trails within the county’s long-term planning.
