The Green Mountain Marathon course starts and finishes near the house where Clarence H. Demar (7 time Boston Marathon Winner) once lived. The course is an out-and-back on the west shore of South Hero and Grand Isle.
The course terrain is rolling and the surface is about half hard packed dirt road.
The Champlain Islands Marathon was the 335th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 285th largest in 2022.
This year 5.5% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 15.7% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Champlain Islands Marathon the 91st highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 259th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 98.23 ranks it as the 300th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest course in Vermont.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Champlain Islands Marathon a PR Score of 98.23. This PR Score ranks it as the 242nd fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 1st fastest in Vermont.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Champlain Islands Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 210 feet (64m) Min Elevation: 97 feet (29m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Champlain Islands Marathon
View available accomodations around the Champlain Islands Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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It was a double out-n-back race this year, which makes it easier for them to manage. Not sure what the other half of the previous course included, but the views of the beach and winery were nice. Good food after the race (chili and apple cider donuts).
Race Tips
It is a hilly course (970ft), particularly in the last few miles (of each half with the double out-n-back). I saw a lot of people go to hard early on and fade later in the race.
I signed up late and ended up getting a hotel in St. Albans. It was only a 30 minute drive. I got there about 75 minutes before the start and got a prime parking spot. They seemed to have a decent amount of parking for the size of the race.
