Next race
Sunday, 18 October 2026
8:30 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Scenic coastal road
Elevation
Rolling · 150 m gain
150 m climbing
Race profile
The Champlain Islands Marathon draws approximately 136 finishers each October on a scenic coastal road in South Hero, United States. Vermont's Champlain Islands Marathon tours Lake Champlain archipelago roads each October. The course loops through Lake Champlain island roads with Adirondack and Green Mountain views. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Champlain Islands Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 136 finishers
Course & terrain
The Champlain Islands Marathon is a scenic coastal road course on flat to rolling paved roads. Starts and finishes at Folsom Elementary School in South Hero, Vermont. The half-marathon is an out-and-back on the west shore of South Hero and Grand Isle; the full marathon is two laps of the half-marathon course. Lake Champlain and Adirondack views line the route.
The Champlain Islands Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 150 m gain — approx. 47 m above sea level
↑ 150 m · ↓ 140 m · net +10 m
Registration
Champlain Islands Marathon is typically held in October. Registration opens through https://www.champlainislandsrunning.com/ and may use a lottery or tiered entry when demand exceeds capacity.
Getting there
Plattsburgh (PBG)
Plattsburgh International Airport
13 km / 8 mi
Burlington (BTV)
Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport
23 km / 14 mi
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to South Hero.
The Vermont City Marathon in Burlington draws about 1,800 finishers each May on a scenic loop through Vermont's largest city on Lake Champlain. The course passes Church Street Marketplace, the Burlington waterfront, and the Winooski River with views of the Adirondack Mountains across the lake. May spring weather and a community-focused atmosphere make it New England's premier small-city marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 30 May 2027
The Mad Marathon draws approximately 290 finishers each July on a scenic road in Waitsfield, United States. The Mad Marathon is Vermont's famous mid-summer mountain valley race through the Mad River Valley. The course climbs and descends Mad River Valley roads with Green Mountain views and covered-bridge scenery. Expect significant climbs on this hilly course.
Next race: Sunday, 11 July 2027
The Kingdom Marathon draws approximately 50 finishers each October on a scenic road in West Glover, United States. The Kingdom Marathon serves Vermont's Northeast Kingdom with a hilly fall marathon in rural Orleans County. The course tours Northeast Kingdom farm roads, forest hills, and rural Vermont scenery. Expect significant climbs on this hilly course.
Next race: Sunday, 3 October 2027
The Maple Leaf Marathon draws approximately 25 finishers each May on a scenic road in Fairlee, United States. Fairlee's Maple Leaf Marathon is an early-season Vermont race through the Upper Connecticut River Valley. The course runs through Fairlee and Upper Valley roads with spring maple-country scenery. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How major marathons allocate places — open entry, lotteries, charity bibs, tour operators, and what to check before you commit to a trip.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
