Champlain Islands Marathon & Half Marathon

Race Date, Time and Location for 2026 Events

DATE: Sunday, October 18, 2026

TIME: 8:30 AM

LOCATION: Folsom Elementary School, 75 South St, South Hero, VT 05486

The Full and Half Marathon will both start at 8:30 AM directly in front of the Folsom Elementary School.

Course

The marathon and half-marathon begin and end near the house where Clarence H. DeMar, seven-time Boston Marathon Winner, once lived. The half-marathon course is out and back on the west shore of South Hero and Grand Isle; a land of farms, apple orchards, and summer cottages. The terrain is flat to rolling.

USATF Certification (VT24002JK) 

The entire course is paved. The full marathon course is two out-and-backs of the half-marathon course. 

The time cut off for the marathon is 6 hours.  The time cut off for the half-marathon is 4 hours. 

 

Aid Stations

There will be an aid station approximately every 2 miles starting at mile 2 and stopping at mile 24 for a total of 12 aid stations (2-3 porta-potties on course). Water and electrolyte drink will be supplied at all aid stations. Additional assistance will be available to runners in the form of sweep vehicles.

 

Registration

Pre-registration is now open. This event has sold out in recent years. Register early for guaranteed entry and best pricing. 

• GMAA members subtract $10 for Full Marathon, $5 for Half Marathon.
• Race day registration is from 7am to 7:45am.
• Maximum total number of runners is 500.
• There is no race refund if you cannot participate.
• There are no deferrals.
• There is no wait list.
• There are no bib transfers.

You may change the race distance. There is a $10 charge for switching from the full marathon to the half-marathon (no refund will be given for the difference in price). There is a $10 charge for changing from the half-marathon to the full marathon plus the difference in price. To transfer event follow these instructions:

1) Log into your Runsignup account at this link: https://runsignup.com/Profile#tab-upcoming-races

2) Find the Champlain Islands Marathon & Half Marathon section under "Upcoming Events" and Click on "Manage Registration"

3) Click on "Transfer Event" at the top.

4) Follow the prompts to continue the process. 

Please confirm that you are registering for the correct event: Half-Marathon or Full Marathon before your complete your transaction. Thank you!

 

Shirts

All participants will receive a race shirt. 

 

Restrictions

Runners must be age 16 or older.

 

Packet Pickup

Other runners may pick up a friend or family member's race packet.

• Friday, Oct. 16th - 12-6 pm at SkiRack
• Saturday, Oct. 17th - 12-6 pm at SkiRack 
• Sunday, Oct. 18th - 7-8 am at Folsom School

SkiRack is located at 85 Main Street, in Burlington, VT. 

 

Awards

Awards will be given to the top overall male, female & non-binary finishers, the top masters, as well as the top finisher in each age-group. Please see the race director if you need leave before the awards ceremony.

Medals to all marathon and half-marathon finishers.

 

Lodging

Island Lodging on the race course (primarily small inns and B&Bs):

• Crescent Farm Bay Farm B&B 1-802-324-5563 (mile 2-3)
• Ferry Watch Inn 1-802-777-2530 (mile 8-9)
• link to full list of island lodging (maintained by the Islands Chamber of Commerce)

Lodging at exit 16 off Route 89 (Colchester/Winooski)

• Residence Inn 1-802-655-3100
• Hampton Inn 1-802-655-6177

Lodging at exit 14 off Route 89 (Burlington/South Burlington)

• Best Western 1-800-780-7234
• Holiday Inn 1-800-863-6363

 

Attractions

If you can picture the Lake Champlain Islands in mid-October, then you have reason to join us. If you have never seen Vermont or the 'Islands' in October, then you have even more reason to join us with your entire family.

• Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce (800) 262-5226
• Burlington Things-To-Do
• Lake Champlain Ferries (802) 864-9804

 

Past Runner Testimonials

Follow this link to hear what other runners have had to say about the our event.

The GMAA Champlain Islands Marathon is held for runners by runners. Our goal is to offer a quality marathon at an affordable price in a relaxed setting.  Come join us!

 

Volunteers

As with any event, it takes volunteers to make things happen. If you or anyone you know would like to volunteer at our race, we would greatly appreciate it. We need volunteers in the following areas: Water Stops/Aid Stations, Crossing Guards/Course Marshals, Packet pick-up, Finish Line, Traffic/Parking, and Runner Food Preparation.

Please sign up on our Volunteer Registration Page

 

Information

Please see "Race Day Instructions" sheet for all latest logistics. If you can't find the answers you need, please email Race Directors, Nik Ponzio and Heather Feldman at: [email protected]

 

Course Features

• Certified Marathon with miles 1-13 marked
• Can be used to qualify for the Boston Marathon
• Start and finish at 190' elevation
• Max elevation: 210' (miles 1 and 25)
• Min elevation: 100' (several locations)
• Lake Champlain elevation: 95'

 

NOTE: GMAA/Insurance rules prohibit running with a baby jogger or dog. For safety reasons and as a courtesy to fellow runners, GMAA strongly discourages the use of headphones.

There are no refunds, deferrals, or transfers.