Steel Rail Half Marathon

The Steel Rail Half Marathon takes place in Lanesborough, Massachusetts, in mid-May, in the Berkshires. A full marathon (26.2 miles) starts at 7:00 a.m., the half marathon (13.1 miles) at 7:30 and an 8K, about 5 miles, at 8:00. The course begins with roughly a loop and a half around the Berkshire Mall parking loop, then heads down the access road to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.

From there, runners follow the old rail line to its end in Adams, finishing with a few left turns right in front of the Adams Visitor Center. Rail trails offer gentle grades and a smooth surface, so the effort here comes from keeping pace in the miles that look the same. The Berkshires can be cool in May, so dress for the start.