Overall Rating
Overall Rating (3 Reviews)
4.3
(3 Ratings)  (3 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
3
SCENERY
4.7
PRODUCTION
4.7
SWAG
3.7
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 (VT15301JK*) marathon and half marathon begin and end near the house where Clarence H. … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Oct 20):
  2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
 
H (°F)  63  49  64  57  53
L (°F)  53  40  43  47  31
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Recent reviews

    kmwatson.art REPEAT RUNNER '22

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

    1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

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    bjrobinette FIRST-TIMER '21

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

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    RunnerMeg FIRST-TIMER '16

    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!!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4
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