Harborside Half Marathon & 5K Race Details

The Harborside Half Marathon & 5K kicks off with packet pick-up on Saturday, November 11th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday, November 12th from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Cashman Park where you’ll receive your bib and commemorative race shirt! The half marathon begins at 9 a.m. and the 5K begins at 9:15 a.m. on November 12th and the post-race party kicks off at Cashman Park after the race.

Gear check will be available at the start line. All gear checked at the start line will then be brought to the finish area for participants to pick up. All participants must pick up their gear from the finish area by 1:00 PM. Please look for the gear check signs near the start and finish areas.

The Half Marathon

Start Time: 9:00AM.

The Harborside Half Marathon course offers runners a beautiful lollipop loop course with scenic views of rural fields, old farmhouses, and nature preserves. The race starts at Mark Richey Woodworking and Design (40 Parker St, Newburyport, MA 01950). All half marathon runners will start at 9:00 AM.

The first mile is flat and fast through nearby roads before heading out into the scenic towns of Newbury and West Newbury. Just after mile 3, you will turn right onto Indian Hill Street which traverses the backroads of West Newbury. At mile 5, you’ll go right onto Middle Street which has many working farms and reservation land. At mile 7, you begin the gradual descent down Rodgers Street heading back into Newburyport. Eventually, you’ll make your way back, passing by the start area and venturing down the Clipper City Rail Trail for the final 1.3 miles.

The Clipper City Rail Trails offers runners a flat, fast finish through lush forests before ending at Cashman Park on the Merrimack River. An awesome after-party awaits (details below)

Course Information

The Harborside Half Marathon course features rolling hills before a fast finish on the Clipper City Rail Trail. With 331 feet of elevation gain throughout the entirety of the course, runners are often distracted of the rolling hills with vast farmland views and scenic reservoirs.

There will be five aid stations on course, all of which will service Gatorade and water. The third aid station on course will also feature energy gels. Aid stations will be located at miles 2.1, 4.4, 6.2, 8.8, and 11.9. Portable toilets will also be located at the aid stations at mile 4.4, 6.2, 8.8, and 11.9.

The 5K

Start Time: 9:15AM.

The Harborside 5K starts and finishes at the same location as the half marathon. 5K runners will start at 9:15 AM. The 5K features a lollipop loop course with the final 1.3 miles on the Clipper City Rail Trail. The course features no major hills and provides participants a great chance at setting a personal best! All 5K runners finish at the beautiful Cashman Park where they are rewarded with spectacular views of the mighty Merrimack River and an awesome after-party (details below)!

Packet Pick-up

Packet pick-up will be held on Saturday, November 11th from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Cashman Park and Sunday, November 12th from 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM at Cashman Park. You will receive your bib and commemorative hoodie at packet pickup! All participants are strongly encouraged to pickup their bib and hoodie on Saturday, November 11th to make race morning less stressful! Shirts will not be mailed out post event, so don’t oversleep.

Save time on packet pickup by adding on packet mailing during registration! Already registered? Don’t worry! Log in to your EnMotive account to add on packet mailing.

Directions, Parking, & Shuttle

The half marathon starts at 9:00am and the 5K starts at 9:15am. Both races begin at 40 Parker Street, Newburyport, MA 01950 which is 1.3 miles from the packet pick-up/finish location at Cashman Park.

The exact start location (40 Parker Street) features NO PARKING. Any cars parked there will be towed. Parking in adjacent lots near the start line may be available pending venue approval. Please check this site periodically for updated parking information.

All runners and spectators should plan to park in downtown Newburyport. Participants will then be able to take the free shuttle from Cashman Park to the start location. Buses leave from Cashman Park approximately every 10 minutes beginning at 7:00 AM. The last shuttle will leave Cashman Park at 8:40 AM. For finishers, limited return shuttles to the start area may be available pending venue approval. Please check back to this section as the event moves closer.

Public parking lots for the event are shown on the map below. Please plan to arrive early as traffic in downtown Newburyport will increase towards the start of the race. Street parking is also available throughout downtown Newburyport on a first come first serve basis.

THERE IS NO PARKING AT THE START LOCATION (40 PARKER STREET). ANY CARS PARKED THERE WILL BE TOWED. All runners and spectators MUST park in downtown Newburyport. Pick up your bib and hoodie at Cashman Park and then ride the free shuttle to the start location or jog along the Clipper City Rail Trail for a quick warm-up! Buses leave every 10 minutes from Cashman Park starting at 7:00 a.m. The last shuttle leaves at 8:40 a.m. There will not be a shuttle bus back to the start area after 9:00 a.m.

Public parking lots for the event are shown on the map below. Please plan to arrive early as traffic in downtown Newburyport may increase towards the start of the race. Street parking is also available throughout downtown Newburyport on a first come first serve basis.

We have provided a handy shuttle system to the start, but it does not work if everyone waits until the last minute to load the shuttle. Please do not delay getting on the shuttle bus to the start. The start is equipped with porto potties and a handy truck to hold your warm clothes or bag!

SHUTTLE BUSES: Because the start and finish are in different locations, we’ll have a shuttle operating between Cashman Park (Packet Pick-Up & Finish) and 40 Parker Street (Start). Shuttle service begins at Cashman Park at 7:00 a.m. to take runners to the start. Shuttle come every 10 minutes. The final shuttle departs at 8:40 a.m. There will not be a shuttle bus back to the start area after 9:00 a.m.

Race-day hint: There are porto potties located at the start!

If you’re up for a little extra running before the race, you can jog the Clipper City Rail Trail 1.3 miles straight to the Start. From Cashman Park closest to the waterfront, look for the paved sidewalk that goes under the Route 1 bridge. This is the rail trail and it goes all the way to Parker Street. Follow the path under the bridge where it forks right then stay straight all the way until you see the huge, white windmill. The next intersection is Parker Street. Take a right on Parker Street and you’ll see the start arch and runners.

You can leave your bag at the finish or take it on the bus with you and leave in the UHaul truck at the start. The finish bag drop is self-serve and located in Cashman Park. Bags must be picked up by 1:00 p.m. Clothes left in the tent after the race will be donated to charity. Loco Races is not liable for any losses or theft that may occur. Clothes left at the start will also be brought back to the finish area.

Post Race Party

Not only do you get a wonderful day of fresh air and scenic running, but you’re also treated to an after party featuring panoramic views of the Merrimack River, delicious local pizza, and post-race snacks like granola bars and bananas. As if that weren’t awesome enough, runners 21+ get complementary craft beers courtesy of Smuttynose Brewing Co! The best part? It’s all included in your registration!

Ready to Run?

The Harborside Half Marathon & 5K returns to Newburyport, MA on November 12, 2023 for another race past iconic New England waterscapes. Register today!