Pocono Mountains Marathon Race Festival

The Pocono Mountains Marathon on October 10 offers a full marathon and relay option winding through forested back roads in northeastern Pennsylvania, starting and finishing at Kalahari Resorts in Pocono Manor. The full marathon begins at 8 a.m., with the relay (four-person teams) staggered shortly after, and registration fees run around $100 for individuals and $200 for relay teams. The course is USATF-certified and serves as a Boston Marathon qualifier, attracting serious runners seeking fast times despite the rolling terrain. Kalahari Resorts provides ample parking, indoor restrooms, changing facilities, and a post-race celebration area with food, beer, and live music running through early afternoon. The resort sits at 250 Kalahari Boulevard, accessible via Route 314 off Interstate 380.

The marathon course showcases the Pocono Plateau landscape, rolling through the villages of Pocono Manor, Cresco, and Mountainhome on low-traffic rural roads flanked by hardwood forests and occasional lake views. The Pocono Mountains were shaped by glacial activity during the Wisconsin glaciation, which ended roughly 10,000 years ago, leaving behind the region’s characteristic rounded peaks, kettle lakes, and boulder-strewn forests. October is peak foliage season in the Poconos, with sugar maples, red oaks, and birches creating a canopy of red, orange, and gold that makes the marathon one of the most scenic in Pennsylvania. The course features approximately 1,200 feet of elevation gain across gradual climbs and descents, with the most challenging hills coming between miles 8 and 12. October weather in the Poconos is cool and crisp, typically in the 40s and 50s at race start, warming to the 60s by late morning, creating ideal marathon conditions.

The race attracts Boston qualifier seekers, local runners, and relay teams using the event as a fall tradition. Recent editions have drawn 500 to 700 participants across both divisions, creating a supportive atmosphere without the overwhelming crowds of major city marathons. Water and electrolyte stations are positioned every two miles, with medical support at multiple points along the course. The relay format allows less experienced runners to participate by splitting the 26.2 miles into four legs, with exchange points clearly marked and shuttle service provided between zones. Spectators can position themselves at Kalahari for start and finish viewing, or drive to key points in Cresco and Mountainhome for mid-race cheering. After finishing, runners receive medals and access to the post-race party featuring local craft beer, food vendors, and massage stations.

Make the marathon part of a fall Pocono weekend by booking a rental on Lake.com near Promised Land State Park or Lake Wallenpaupack, where you’ll find lakefront properties and forested retreats within a 20-minute drive of the race start. After the marathon, celebrate at Barley Creek Brewing Company (established 1995) in Tannersville for craft beer and pub fare, or head to The French Manor Inn (1990) in South Sterling for upscale French cuisine in a castle-like setting. The marathon pairs naturally with a Sunday morning hike at Promised Land State Park or a scenic drive along Route 507 for peak foliage viewing, making it a centerpiece for runners and supporters seeking fall color, challenging terrain, and Pocono scenery in a single autumn weekend.