Champlain Islands Marathon & Half
South Hero, VT
- Marathon, Half Marathon
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Champlain Islands Marathon & Half (fka Green Mountain Marathon) is held for runners by runners. The goal is to offer runners offer a quality marathon at an affordable price in a relaxed setting. The certified marathon and half marathon begin and end near the house where Clarence H. DeMar, … MORE
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Loved Vermont, chilly but gorgeous race!
Really enjoyed this Vermont half as my 13th state. Communication was outstanding, with all instructions, very easy to follow especially for out of staters. Morning of race, easy parking, was … MORE
Really enjoyed this Vermont half as my 13th state. Communication was outstanding, with all instructions, very easy to follow especially for out of staters. Morning of race, easy parking, was chilly, about 34, and windy entire race, but warmed a little. It was absolutely beautiful, all paved roads, rolling hills. Not crowded at all and genuinely friendly people. The houses we passed had spectators with bubble machines, signs, water, coffee, and cheering loudly! End of race, nice medal and inside for food. Had veggie chile if you like that, and then just some nutri grain bars, bananas and apples. They did have hot chocolate which was a bonus. I would have liked more of a filler or options for after running a half and I am sure the marathoners did too. Nothing for swag, just a tshirt, then the medal. Would have liked a bag, even with coupons from sponsors, esp. for out of the area runners. Would choose this race again over other Vermont options!
One of the best! Year after year!
GMAA has very aspect of this race dialed in. It's been going for 51 years! It's a nice course (for half marathon, not sure I'd want to do two OABs … MORE
GMAA has very aspect of this race dialed in. It’s been going for 51 years!
It’s a nice course (for half marathon, not sure I’d want to do two OABs for the full).
Great energy, great food, great location, great fans and community spirit! You can really tell that the GMAA is all about community and love of running.
My only disappointment this year was the T-shirt color (A great design on an unfortunate color choice that I’m not sure would flatter any skin color), but no biggie.
Overall I highly recommend! I’ve run this one multiple times and am always glad I did.
Decent little low-key race
Race is about 30 minutes north of Burlington (nearest airport). For a low key inexpensive race it was fine. Organizers were nice. Park right at start/finish. In a get what … MORE
Race is about 30 minutes north of Burlington (nearest airport). For a low key inexpensive race it was fine. Organizers were nice. Park right at start/finish. In a get what you pay for situation, the shirt was a baseball sleeve shirt and the medal was fine. Course was out and back with constant small rolling hills. Running on country roads with some nice views of Lake Champlain and the colors of Fall. Only problem was that the roads are not closed so you have to deal with the occasional car. The last mile was a little tougher with traffic because it was later in the day and people were visiting the nearby orchards and early finishers were leaving. All in all, not a bad small race with a nice trip to Vermont.
Lovely and low key
GMM is another example of a great, small, low key race put on by runners, for runners. There were only a few hundred runners total, half and full, and I'd … MORE
GMM is another example of a great, small, low key race put on by runners, for runners. There were only a few hundred runners total, half and full, and I’d say the majority were in-state residents and locals with a few out of towners like myself. I chose it as my Vermont race for my fifty states and it was a great choice!
South Hero and the surrounding area is beautiful and very scenic, especially in October. There are a few B&Bs near the race (I stayed at Annie’s B&B found on AirBnB, and it was actually walking distance to the start and finish, plus the owners are distance athletes themselves and put on a great breakfast spread!) There is parking at the school, which is the start and finish, but it’s nice to not have to run with car keys.
For the record, there was pretty much no email from the race organizers leading up to race day. I just find it funny, the differences between small and large races. Packet pickup was either in Burlington or at the school. Burlington is worth a visit, especially on Saturday for the farmers market. It took just a minute and the race shirt is kind of cool; long sleeve and cotton, but baseball t style and fun.
The weather was lovely, partly sunny and the high in the low 50s, though windy in some spots. The race starts later than most, at 8:30, but with cool weather it didn’t matter. The marathon course is out and back along paved and hard packed dirt roads. It travels by the lake, by lovely cottages, large homes, vineyards, orchards, and farms. It’s flat to rolling without any huge hills but a few rollers at the beginning and end. Aid stations were at every two miles and well staffed and stocked. The course was well marked and the half and full turn arounds were impossible to miss. The medal was nice.
Honestly this was a lovely race. No hiccups, nothing complicated. You could show up race morning and pick up your bib if you wanted. You get to see some beautiful scenery and have the opportunity to enjoy some other Vermont spots like Stowe (an hour drive) and Burlington (20 minutes). Soak up the fall foliage and enjoy a small town race put on by runners!!