The hilly course coupled with the typically warm race day temperatures make the Mad Marathon a challenging race. The scenic course is approximately 70% on roads and 30% on gravel.
Runners will travel through this extraordinary rural community on 26.2 miles of back and dirt roads withbreathtaking views of the Green Mountains, rolling farm lands, quaint villages, historical barns, coveredbridges and fields of cows.
The Mad Marathon was the 197th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 182nd largest in 2022.
This year 1.9% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 2.3% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Mad Marathon the 420th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 266th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 94.19 ranks it as the 414th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 4th fastest course in Vermont.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Mad Marathon a PR Score of 91.22. This PR Score ranks it as the 423rd fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 4th fastest in Vermont.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Mad Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 1514 feet (461m) Min Elevation: 639 feet (194m)
This is a small (300 plus in full; 400 plus in half) low stress race. Packet pick-up and pre-race logistics are stress free. The race is well organized and even slow runners (me) feel well supported. Even when I finished there was plenty of food left! The race is as scenic as advertised and you get to run thru 2 covered bridges.
Race Tips
This is a very hilly race and in July heat and humidity almost certainly will always play a part. They should probably start the race @ 6:00 rather than 7:00 to help with heat. Pay attention to the elevation change on the chart. Luckily most of the hills are in the first 17 miles so pace yourself.
Local accommodations are pricey and fill up quickly. I stayed in Barre (35 minutes away) and I noticed quite a few runners at my hotel. Parking is easy race morning. I arrived an hour early and had no stress (always my goal)
