Events
Half Marathon
Event Description
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: cim@gmaa.run
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.
Contact Form
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Event Location
Folsom Elementary School
75 South Street
South Hero, VT 05486 US
View Location on Map
Donations to Folsom Track Club
$337
Raised of $500
Frequently Asked Questions
We love dogs, but our insurance policy prevents pets on the course. Please leave your furry friends at home.
The use of headphones and earbuds is strongly discouraged during the race. The race course remains open to vehicle traffic during the event, and wearing headphones is considered a safety hazard.
Yes, we allow friends and teammates to pick up race packets at Skirack on Friday and Saturday. We recommend writing your names on the bib to reduce confusion on race day.
The 2026 Champlain Islands Marathon and Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
Early Bib Pickup is at Skirack in Burlington. Day-of pickup is at the race location, Folsom School in South Hero.
For the 2026 Race the dates and times are:
- 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
The race features a scenic out-and-back course. The half marathon is one loop, and the full marathon consists of two loops of the same course.
While the official half marathon cutoff is 4 hours, it is not strictly enforced. Half marathoners have up to 6 hours to finish (aligned with the marathon cutoff), making the race very walker-friendly.
Yes. If you are registered for the full marathon and decide to stop after the first lap (the half), notify the timers or race director after you finish. They can move your results into the half marathon category.
Results are listed on RunSignup and can be tracked in real-time using the RaceJoy app.
Awards are available for pickup at the race site. If you have specific travel constraints, please coordinate with the race organizers before leaving.
Yes, parking at the race is totally free. Please follow the directions of the parking volunteers upon arrival.
Yes. GMAA and insurance rules strictly prohibit running with baby joggers, strollers, or dogs.
Yes. We have restrooms available at the start/finish area (Folsom Elementary School). On the course, there are 12 aid stations spaced roughly every 2 miles, and we provide 2–3 porta-potties at strategic locations along the route. As this is a looped course, you will have multiple opportunities to access these facilities.
Yes, there is a designated area at the start/finish line for participants to leave personal items. Please ensure your belongings are clearly labeled with your name and bib number. While we provide this space for your convenience, please note that it is an unsupervised area, and we recommend that you do not leave any valuables (such as keys, wallets, or electronics) in your drop bag.
Yes! All registered marathon and half-marathon participants receive a high-quality commemorative event shirt. Additionally, all finishers who complete their respective race distances will receive a custom finisher medal as they cross the finish line.
Yes. The official time cutoff for the full marathon is 6 hours. The half-marathon has an official cutoff of 4 hours, though it is often flexible, and runners typically have up to 6 hours to finish to remain aligned with the marathon course support timeline. Please plan your pace accordingly to ensure you complete your race within these limits.
Early Packet pickup for the race is scheduled for the Friday and Saturday immediately preceding race day. It takes place at Skirack in Burlington, VT. Day-of packet pickup is available at the race location, Folsom Elementary School in South Hero. Please check your pre-race email and the official race website closer to the event date for specific daily hours.
Yes, the race consistently sells out. We limit the event to 500 total bibs to ensure a quality experience for all participants. Please note that once we reach capacity, no additional bibs will be released and we do not maintain a waitlist. We strongly encourage all interested runners to register early to secure their spot.
Both the start and finish lines for the Champlain Islands Marathon and Half Marathon are located directly in front of Folsom Elementary School in South Hero, Vermont.
Yes. We provide many aid stations distributed throughout the course, spaced approximately every 2 miles (from mile 2 through mile 24). These stations are stocked with water and hydration supplies to support you throughout your race.
Parking is available at Folsom Elementary School in South Hero. We have volunteers on-site starting at 6:45 AM to help guide you and manage parking. Please follow all posted signage and volunteer instructions to ensure we keep fire lanes clear and maintain a safe environment for all runners. Additionally, overflow parking is available at the nearby Allenholm Farm property.
No, there is no race-day registration available. All participants must register in advance online through our race website prior to the registration deadline. Please plan ahead to secure your spot.
