Baystate Marathon
The Baystate Marathon is a marathon held in the city of Lowell, MA every October. It was first run in 1990 and has been run every year since then. The course is known as one of the flattest and fastest marathon courses in the northeastern United States. The race runs along the Merrimack River and crosses different bridges spanning this river. This fast course is often used by many runners to garner a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon. During the day of the race, there is also a half marathon, The Lowell Sun Half Marathon, in Lowell. Both the Baystate Marathon and the associated half marathon finish inside of Edward A. LeLacheur Park, home of the Lowell Spinners baseball team. The runners actually finish near home plate and spectators can watch the finish from the ballpark stands.