Jersey City Marathon course map and elevation.

How I’d run it, stretch by stretch

Miles 1 to 3: Newport, Paulus Hook and downtown

Over these 2.6 miles the course climbs 13 feet and drops 17, about level overall.

Everyone starts together at 7:00, half and full mixed in eight corrals, and the first miles wind through Paulus Hook and downtown with a turn every few blocks. It’s flat and crowded. Let the field settle rather than weaving through it, because every corner you take wide adds distance.

Miles 4 to 6: Pacific Avenue and Liberty State Park

Over these 3.7 miles the course climbs 35 feet and drops 33, about level overall.

The out-and-back on Pacific Avenue through Bergen-Lafayette, with a tight U-turn near mile 3.9, then Johnston Avenue and Phillip Street along the edge of Liberty State Park. It’s dead flat. Settle into goal pace here, and take the U-turn smooth rather than braking hard into it.

Miles 7 to 10: Caven Point, Greenville and Garfield Avenue

Over these 4.3 miles the course climbs 98 feet and drops 92, 6 feet net up.

The only rolling ground on the first lap: over the Caven Point Road bridge, a short, steep pitch up Linden Avenue East near mile 7.8, about 30 feet, and a gentle climb up Garfield Avenue to the high point of the course near mile 9, still under 70 feet above sea level. Then it drops back to Communipaw. Keep the effort even over the bumps. They’re too short to cost you anything unless you attack them.

Miles 11 to 13: Grand Street back to Newport

Over these 2.5 miles the course climbs 18 feet and drops 21, about level overall.

East on Grand Street through downtown and up Washington Boulevard toward halfway, where the half marathoners peel off to finish. The crowds are biggest here. Enjoy them, and get ready for the field to thin out sharply once the half is gone.

Miles 14 to 17: the second lap’s downtown loops

Over these 4.2 miles the course climbs 31 feet and drops 34, about level overall.

The second lap opens with a box north of the start and a back-street loop around Hamilton Park and Van Vorst, a few blocks of it run against the usual one-way traffic. It’s quieter now, with a turn every few blocks, and this is where focus drifts. Lock onto a runner ahead of you and keep your rhythm through the corners.

Miles 18 to 20: Grand Street and up Garfield Avenue

Over these 2.8 miles the course climbs 71 feet and drops 13, 60 feet net up. The climb: Garfield Avenue (lap 2) from mile 18.7 (+54 feet over 1.4 mi, 0.7%).

West on Grand Street, then Summit Avenue and up Garfield Avenue, the first lap’s descent run in reverse: about 55 feet from mile 18.7 to 20, the course’s only real climb. It isn’t steep, but it comes just as your legs start asking questions. Shorten your stride and hold your effort, not your pace.

Miles 21 to 23: Greenville, Linden Avenue and Caven Point

Over these 2.9 miles the course climbs 35 feet and drops 93, 59 feet net down.

Gates and Princeton Avenues through Greenville, then down Linden Avenue East and back over the Caven Point Road bridge. It’s quiet out here. Use the short descents to recover, take a gel if you’re due one, and get ready for the last three miles.

Miles 24 to the finish: Liberty State Park back to Newport

Over these 3.2 miles the course climbs 25 feet and drops 22, about level overall.

Burma Road and Phillip Street along Liberty State Park, Jersey Avenue north to Grand Street, then Warren, York and Greene Streets to the finish on Washington Boulevard. It’s flat all the way, and the crowds come back downtown. Whatever you have left, spend it here.