Conquer the cold! Sign-up for the Madison Marathon on November 10, 2024. View beautiful, iconic Madison, Wisconsin when you challenge yourself with this Boston Marathon qualifying event. See you at the Capitol!
The Madison Marathon was the 41st largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 52nd largest in 2022.
Last year 8% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 7.8% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the Madison Marathon the 240th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 237th highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 98.07 ranks it as the 317th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 19th fastest course in Wisconsin.
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 Madison Marathon a PR Score of 98.07. This PR Score ranks it as the 258th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 13th fastest in Wisconsin.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Madison Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 938 feet (285m) Min Elevation: 845 feet (257m)
I would strongly advise against running the Madison Marathon. From the moment the race started, it was clear this event was poorly organized. The starting area was incredibly narrow, which led to a lot of chaos. I actually witnessed several runners falling and getting stepped on because there was no space to move properly. This could have been dangerous, especially for runners trying to settle into their pace.
The marathon course itself is incredibly lonely, with very little support or cheering along the way. As the miles went on, I found myself running by myself for long stretches, which felt isolating and demotivating. There were hardly any spectators, and the course was hilly and long, definitely not ideal for anyone hoping to set a fast time. On top of that, the course was not measured properly. It was almost half a mile long.
I also had some parking-related questions and reached out to the race director. Her responses were unhelpful, rude, and lacked any kind of friendliness or professionalism. It was clear she wasn't interested in assisting or making the experience better for participants.
Overall, this race was a huge disappointment, and I would not recommend it to anyone. If you're looking for a well-organized, fast course with good support, there are plenty of better options out there.
I had high hopes for the Madison Marathon, but my experience was disappointing. First and foremost, the customer service was absolutely awful. When I reached out with questions and concerns, I received little to no support. It felt like my inquiries were brushed aside, which is not what you expect from an event of this caliber.
The course itself was extremely hilly, making it much more challenging than I anticipated. While I appreciate a good challenge, the constant inclines and declines were exhausting, especially when combined with the lack of support along the route.
What really detracted from my experience was how isolated I felt during the race. After the half-marathoners turned to finish, I found myself running alone for long stretches. The lack of fellow runners made the experience feel lonely and less motivating. It's discouraging to run such a distance without the camaraderie that typically comes with race day.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend the Madison Marathon unless you're prepared for a super boring and challenging course without the community support that makes racing so enjoyable.
Great Atmosphere, Great Course! Lots of hills. Overall this marathon is fun and challenging. It gives you such a sense of accomplishment as you conquer each hill that comes your way.
Race Tips
Hill train and don't hesitate to walk if you need too.
Race goes through a lot of suburban neighborhoods with no crowd support. Lot of hills, including a pointless out and back to Mendota mental health institute. The last two miles are lonely with runners spread out and no spectators. Cops allow cars to cross the race route. And this year the race had to stop for a train! The end of the race "party" consists of a bagged sandwich and ONE 8oz chocolate milk. Yes, they refuse to give you two. Poorly organized and you feel like your are imposing on a city that doesn't want the race.
Race Tips
Be prepared for a lot of small and not-so-small hills. It can be cold, and this year snow was predicted for race day (but thankfully stayed away). Finally, it is an uphill finish.
