Next race
Sunday, 11 July 2027
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Scenic road
Elevation
Hilly · 250 m gain
250 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Mad Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 290 finishers
Course & terrain
The Mad Marathon covers varied scenic road terrain. Starts and finishes in Waitsfield in the Mad River Valley. The course climbs and descends Mad River Valley roads with Green Mountain views and covered-bridge scenery. Hilly with notable climbs.
The Mad Marathon course is hilly over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 250 metres of climbing and 200 metres of descent, with a net climb of 50 metres from start to finish.
Hilly · 250 m gain — approx. 223 m above sea level
↑ 250 m · ↓ 200 m · net +50 m
Registration
Mad Marathon is typically held in July. Registration opens through https://www.madmarathon.com/ and may use a lottery or tiered entry when demand exceeds capacity.
Getting there
Burlington (BTV)
Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport
41 km / 25 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 Waitsfield.
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 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
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.
Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026
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 Clarence DeMar Marathon draws approximately 308 finishers each September on a scenic road in Keene, United States. The Clarence DeMar Marathon honors a six-time Boston champion on a USATF-certified course through the Monadnock Region. The course passes Surry Mountain Dam, Bretwood Golf Course, and historic Keene neighborhoods during peak foliage season. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 26 September 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.
