The state blends rugged Green Mountain terrain with postcard views of lakes, covered bridges, and small towns that still feel tucked away from the rest of the world.
Instead of sprawling, crowded races, Vermont offers events that highlight scenery, community, and a little bit of grit.
Here’s my breakdown of the best of the best, and top tips to help you on race day.
Check out my Top 50 Best Marathons in the US, or choose another state:
Mad Marathon
Waitsfield | Jul 12, 2026
Course Type: Hilly
Elevation Gain: 2134 feet (650m)
Participants: 246 Finishers (2025)
Price: $125-$155
The Mad Marathon proudly calls itself “the world’s most beautiful marathon,” and the setting makes a strong case. Runners start on the Mad River Green in Waitsfield before heading onto a course that mixes pavement with dirt backroads. Early on, the route takes in Bridge Street’s covered bridge and climbs Joslin Hill, offering views across the valley before looping through farmland and past the Pine Brook Covered Bridge. Red barns, open fields, and grazing Holsteins make the scenery feel straight out of a Vermont postcard.
The course profile is no joke. With more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain, hills are part of the deal from the first miles to the last. Some climbs are steady grinds, while others sneak up just when your legs start to feel heavy. July weather can add another layer of challenge, as humidity and heat push runners to pace carefully and lean on the aid stations.
Logistics reflect the small-town setting. About 70 percent of the route is paved while 30 percent rolls over dirt, which means footing changes throughout the day. Aid stations are spaced regularly with water and Gatorade, and the finish line typically has fruit and simple snacks waiting. Lodging in the Mad River Valley can be tight and pricey during race weekend, so booking early is a smart move.
For those who like their marathons tough, scenic, and rooted in local flavor, the Mad Marathon delivers a full Vermont experience.
Vermont City Marathon
Burlington | May 24, 2026
Course Type: Rolling Hills
Elevation Gain: 855 feet (260m)
Participants: 1,508 Finishers (2025)
Price: Up to $213
The Vermont City Marathon is the kind of race where the setting does half the work. Lake Champlain sits right at the start and finish in Waterfront Park, and the Adirondacks rise across the water like a backdrop painted just for the day. Add in Burlington’s compact downtown and suddenly 26.2 miles feels like a guided tour of the city’s best spots.
Instead of winding endlessly through farmland, this marathon keeps things urban and festive. There are sections packed with crowds on Church Street, stretches shaded by leafy neighborhoods, and a long, breezy run on the bike path along the water. The course is built for speed, with only two hills of note, so plenty of people use it as their shot at a Boston qualifier.
The vibe is what sticks. Samba drummers pound rhythms near the course, radio stations set up playlists that spill into the streets, and relay runners tag in to keep the energy high. By the time you circle back into Waterfront Park, the mix of music, lake views, and cheering crowds makes it feel like a block party disguised as a marathon.
New England Green River Marathon
Marlboro | Aug 24, 2025
Course Type: Downhill
Elevation Gain: 650 feet (198m)
Participants: 348 Finishers (2025)
Price: $122.98-$133.98
Start in Marlboro, Vermont, and finish in Greenfield, Massachusetts. In between lies twenty-six miles of closed road following the Green River, a stretch lined with forests, farm fields, and pockets of small-town New England. The river is rarely out of sight for long, which gives the whole race a steady, scenic rhythm.
The first thing people notice is the drop. With a net loss of about 1,400 feet, the course is designed for speed. Long downhills can pound the quads, especially late in the race, but the rolling stretches keep it from feeling like one long descent. Many use it as a Boston qualifier, while others show up just to enjoy a marathon that leans fast without losing its scenery.
Crowds are sparse, and that is part of the appeal. With a field capped around 400, there are no clogged start lines or noisy mid-race bottlenecks. Aid stations appear every couple of miles, stocked simply but often enough to keep you moving. The finish Greenfield feels more like a welcoming committee, which fits the tone, that it’s more about the run itself than everything around it.
Champlain Islands Marathon
South Hero | Oct 19, 2025
Course Type: Rolling Hills
Participants: 128 Finishers (2024)
Price: $80-$90
The Champlain Islands Marathon starts in front of a lakeside school in South Hero, close to the former home of marathon legend Clarence DeMar. The course follows a two-loop out and back route along the west shores of South Hero and Grand Isle, keeping the lake in view while weaving past farms, apple orchards, and summer cottages. The terrain is paved with gentle, rolling stretches that make for a smooth rhythm.
The race is intentionally small, capped at about 500 runners, which gives it a relaxed and personal feel. Aid stations are spaced every couple of miles, offering steady support, and a sweep vehicle follows along to keep everyone safe.
Held in late October, the weather is usually crisp and cooperative, often starting in the 40s or 50s with fall foliage framing the islands in color. The scenery pairs well with the flat profile, and many runners use it as a chance to chase a Boston qualifier. The course has a net elevation change of less than 30 feet, so it rewards steady pacing.
Everything about the setup feels local and straightforward, from packet pickup in nearby Burlington to the low-key finish line atmosphere. Medals and shirts are simple, and the event wraps up more like a community gathering than a large-scale festival.
Other Marathons in Vermont
Vermont may not have the sheer number of races that bigger states do, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in personality. Smaller events often lean on the state’s natural beauty and tight-knit communities, creating races that feel more like shared adventures than mass spectacles.
The Kingdom Challenge, held in the Northeast Kingdom, winds through backroads that climb and dip across farmland, with mountain views that stretch for miles. Down south, the Maple Leaf Half Marathon in Manchester is technically not a marathon but carries the spirit of one – its hilly course and strong community turnout make it a favorite for both locals and visitors. In the Green Mountains, trail marathons and ultra-style events pop up throughout the year, many organized by grassroots running clubs that put heart into every detail.
These races may fly under the radar, but they give Vermont runners plenty of chances to lace up beyond the well-known names. Whether it is a community-organized trail marathon with a homemade potluck at the end or a road race through a small town where everyone knows your name, these events showcase the quieter, quirkier side of Vermont’s running culture.
Vermont Marathon Calendar
Here is how the year usually shapes up for marathon and half-marathon runners in Vermont:
May
- Vermont City Marathon (Burlington) – Memorial Day weekend kickoff with a double-loop city course, lively crowds, and lakeside views.
- Maple Leaf Half Marathon (Manchester) – Not a full marathon, but a long-standing favorite with rolling hills and Green Mountain scenery.
July
- Mad Marathon (Waitsfield) – A tough, hilly course through the Mad River Valley, often run in summer heat but balanced by spectacular mountain views.
September
- New England Green River Marathon (Marlboro, VT to Greenfield, MA) – A small, point-to-point race with a downhill profile and a course that hugs the river almost the entire way.
October
- Champlain Islands Marathon (South Hero and Grand Isle) – Flat and scenic, set against Lake Champlain’s fall foliage.
- The Kingdom Challenge Half Marathon (Lyndonville) – Another half, but with plenty of grit thanks to its rolling hills in the Northeast Kingdom.
Conclusion
Running a marathon in Vermont is less about spectacle and more about setting. Each race taps into the state’s character, whether it is the rolling farmland of Waitsfield, Burlington’s lakeside buzz, or the quiet backroads of the Champlain Islands. Even the smaller half marathons contribute to the mix, adding their own blend of hills, foliage, and local pride. Vermont may only host a handful of big races each year, but what it offers is memorable: miles that combine challenge with beauty, and finish lines that feel just as welcoming as the start.
Row Brown is the founder of Refresh Row. He is a keen marathon runner, his favorite being the London Marathon. He’s now set himself the mission of Running the Entire Length of Spain, which is scheduled for late 2024.
