The Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay is North America’s premier destination road race. The award-winning course features miles of pristine terrain passing tranquil lakes, soaring mountains, sleepy Maine villages, and stunning seaside vistas—including Somes Sound, the only fjord on the Eastern Seaboard— all set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Acadia National Park in peak fall foliage season. The Marathon and Team Relay start in the world-famous resort town of Bar Harbor, while the Half-Marathon starts in the opulent village of Northeast Harbor. All three races finish in the hardworking lobster fishing community of Southwest Harbor.
Hosted by Crow Athletics and held annually the weekend following Indigenous Peoples’ Day, this fall classic has earned national and international accolades. Once you #RunMDI, you’ll see why!
The 26.2-mile foot race begins in downtown Bar Harbor, where the first mile out is slightly downhill, which will allow runners to warm up before the first hill; a 150-foot climb from mile one to mile three. This incline will carry runners over the ridge between Champlain and Dorr Mountains. Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the immediate Atlantic Coast at 1,532 feet, will cast its shadow on the early miles of the course.
Route 3 then gives back a downhill sweep from miles three to six in the village of Otter Creek, where runners meet the sea and those famous ragged cliffs & headlands at the southeast tip of the Island. The small hill from mile six to seven will not be noticeable because runners will enjoy spectacular scenery along the Hunters Beach Trail.
There is a long, gradual downhill from mile seven to mile nine, then a series of rolling, curving vistas which overlook Seal Harbor, and the Cranberry Isles. At mile 10 rolling hills reveal unparalleled scenes, and the village of Northeast Harbor is visible across the ocean. Runners will enter Northeast Harbor, one of six villages along the course –quaint and attractive all– and reach the halfway mark just beyond the town. (Site of the Half-Marathon Start.)
The halfway point is also near the mouth of the only true fjord on the Atlantic Coast, lined with the pink granite that makes up most of the area, Somes Sound nearly bisects the entire Island. The second half of the race is literally on the edge of this remarkable topographical marvel.
The low point on the course, will come at mile 16 along the eastern shore of Somes Sound. This is followed by a slight rise to mile 17, and then a sharp incline from 17 to 18, heading up to the cliffs of the interior end of the fjord. Running hills makes for powerful camaraderie. Mile 19 is a giveback downhill, and then the gradual ascent from mile 20 to 25 begins in Somesville, the quintessential New England village.
Mile 25 will be the high point of the course, literally and figuratively, and affording great views. And it will be all downhill from there. The final 1.2 miles to the finish line in charming Southwest Harbor descends; yes, that last 2,000 meters will be all down. But what a sky-high feeling of accomplishment it will bring!
The 13.1-mile foot race starts at the half-way mark of the full marathon course in the picturesque village Northeast Harbor.
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Hilly & Pretty
This course was HARD! This is not the race for you if you want to PR or if you hate hills. If you love the scenery and are just there … MORE
This course was HARD! This is not the race for you if you want to PR or if you hate hills. If you love the scenery and are just there to have fun, then I think this is the race for you.
The expo was painless & easy, but it was a bit of a bummer that you weren’t allowed to have any other runners pick up your race packet for you. For me, this meant I had to drive to BH, drive back to my sister’s house (1.5 hours each way) then in the morning drive back to BH. I really liked the pullover they gave as swag; it’s great for fall weather and I wear it often.
The bathroom situation prior to the race start was dire. People were waiting for soooo long for the bathrooms. They did have coffee and some breakfast items prior to the race, which I thought was really nice.
The best part of this race was how easy it was for the spectators! My family was able to drive along the course and make tons of stops. They saw me around 8 times, which really kept me going through those brutal hills. That being said, you are running on the shoulder of the road with traffic for a good chunk of the race.
Overall, this was a scenic and fun (but brutally hilly) race. If I ever do it again I am 1000% implementing extensive hill training as those hills are no joke!
Gorgeous but wouldn't run it again
The hills were no joke, so be prepared! The scenery is stunning, with lots of views out to the water. Everyone volunteering was wonderful. Lots of water, gels, etc at … MORE
The hills were no joke, so be prepared! The scenery is stunning, with lots of views out to the water. Everyone volunteering was wonderful. Lots of water, gels, etc at the aid stations (the gels are only available in the second half). My primary complaint is that the roads in the later part of the marathon were not closed, so we had to run on the sidewalk. This was frustrating because many participants were walking and i had to figure out how to pass. Between the killer hills and cars, I wouldn’t do this one again, personally. But if you are running a marathon in each state, i doubt you’d find a prettier one in Maine!
Beautiful Fall Race
Great weather, great race. It’s got rolling hills it seems most of the course. The website I think said 620 gain, my watch showed 740, but who knows. I parked … MORE
Great weather, great race. It’s got rolling hills it seems most of the course. The website I think said 620 gain, my watch showed 740, but who knows. I parked at the school for free and walked about 1 mile to the shuttle. I got there right at the beginning and then we hung out in a warm building. They had coffee and some snacks. They had a bag drop there. We were there for probably over and hour so just relax and stay warm for a while. Porta potties were terrible with lines. However I went to the start about 15-20 minutes early to do a warm up run and there were about 2-4 there and no line. But as soon as I finished more people started coming and they started to get a line too.
The race was beautiful but felt like up and down for most of the course. All worth the views though. Course support weak, but when you have scenery like that who needs it. At the end be sure to bring your wallet to buy food or trinkets because you have e to wait for a return shuttle at least an hour. If you have a time you need to be somewhere be sure to wait for the return shuttle right away. This year they were about 20-30 minutes later than advertised. We saw the crazy insane backup on the way out, so that’s why.
Overall this was an amazing race! I wish I could have stayed longer to get more hiking in at Acadia!
Highly recommend a vacation race here especially if you love the fall leave peeping!🍁
Stunning, but undeniably tough course
The MDI marathon is a beautiful race that runs across Mount Desert Island. From the name you might expect the island to be a desert, but that name was given … MORE
The MDI marathon is a beautiful race that runs across Mount Desert Island. From the name you might expect the island to be a desert, but that name was given to it because the Cadillac Mountain top is bare of vegetation. The rest of the island is covered is gorgeous trees which were in peak fall colors the week of the race.
The first mile was downhill, which was a great way to start. With just over 800 runners and a wide road, the pack spread out quickly. After that, it was rolling hills for the rest of the race. I don’t think there was a flat section anywhere. But we all knew that going in so this was not a surprise. My GPS recorded 1854 ft of ascent and almost the exact same amount of descent.
We also knew it was a beautiful course, but you really have to see it to really believe it. Much of the course was along tree-lined roads which were in full fall glory with reds, yellows and greens. In sections with no trees, we were treated to views of the water. The second half of the course around Somes Sound was absolutely spectacular.
Support stations were spaced every two miles, well-stocked, and staffed by enthusiastic volunteers. I love the station with the facts about monarch butterflies.
The final 10K was a bit less enjoyable due to traffic. That section was open to vehicles, so we were confined to the shoulder. Not terrible, but the curbs in the last mile were a bit of a nuisance. From mile 20.5 to 25, there’s a tough uphill stretch which fortunately had some downhill sections to break it up. Most of the last mile was a welcome downhill but there is a final hill at the end. It’s not steep or long, but it blocks your view of the finish line in that final stretch when seeing it really really helps motivate.
The finish line was rather basic. I was not impressed with the lobster claw medal but I have been told that it is legendary so I can understand why they don’t change it. The pullover shirt was amazing. It is a beautiful design with no sponsor logos.
I would highly recommend this race. But be sure and train for hills.
Beautiful Scenery, Challenging Course
Chose to run this for my first ever marathon because it has won awards for being one of the most beautiful courses in the US. I can see why! This … MORE
Chose to run this for my first ever marathon because it has won awards for being one of the most beautiful courses in the US. I can see why! This year (2025) the marathon fell at peak fall foliage in the Bar Harbor/Acadia area and the weather was sunny and cooler (high 40s to low 60s). The scenery was breathtaking with the fall colors and the coastal views. Completely stunning!
The course itself was difficult. My Garmin recorded the course having ~1700ft of elevation gain and constant hills. The first 6 miles have very long hills with one of them at a 150ft climb. After that, from mile 6 to mile 21 has some steep rolling hills that are a bit smaller. The end of the course is by far the most brutal with 4mi of uphill, a steep descent, and then another uphill towards the finish. There are some portions of the course where roads are not closed to traffic, but there are cones on the side of the road to make a path for the runners. No pacers or GPS tracking, but they do track a few checkpoints during the race. This year there were around 800 participants.
Support during the race was great – there was an aid station every two miles and bathrooms every ~5mi or so. It is very much an event that the locals support and the town of Bar Harbor makes festive. During marathon weekend there’s lots of live music in the town and special dinner menus for runners at restaurants.
Overall, I thought the race was great. Loved the energy of the town and locals supporting the race that whole weekend. Beautiful scenery with the fall colors and I even got to see the Milky Way at night! Would definitely recommend. Don’t let the hills scare you off! I saw so many other first time marathoners there!
One of the most scenic races!
Beautiful views of peak fall foliage through Acadia National Park. 10/10 recommend unless you don't like hills! Great production. Race starts downtown and it is just the marathon and relay. … MORE
Beautiful views of peak fall foliage through Acadia National Park. 10/10 recommend unless you don’t like hills! Great production. Race starts downtown and it is just the marathon and relay. Course is very easy to navigate. Really awesome Lobster Claw medal! The only thing I could think could of done better was the pullovers. They are a great material but as a ego boost I like when they have some marathon specific swag. Also big highlight, I got to meet Mike who runs the site during the race!
Beautiful course, beautiful weather.
I would highly recommend this marathon. Scenery and fall foliage was spectacular. We had fantastic marathon weather. Be prepared to run hills. About 1,500 feet of elevation gain over the … MORE
I would highly recommend this marathon. Scenery and fall foliage was spectacular. We had fantastic marathon weather. Be prepared to run hills. About 1,500 feet of elevation gain over the 26.2 miles. Tough final 10K, not just because it’s a marathon but also due to elevation gain on that final 10K. Marathon course is from Bar Harbor, ME to Southwest Harbor, ME. Most people stay in Bar Harbor and after the marathon there are buses to bus you back to Bar Harbor. We instead stayed in Southwest Harbor and got dropped off near the starting line.
Stunning!
I LOVED this race. Difficulty: Don’t let them fool you by the ‘rolling hills’ description. These are some big ones and they hurt. Scenery: Seriously, you won’t find a prettier … MORE
I LOVED this race.
Difficulty: Don’t let them fool you by the ‘rolling hills’ description. These are some big ones and they hurt.
Scenery: Seriously, you won’t find a prettier race. Acadia National Park at PEAK leaf peeper season? Unbeatable beauty.
Production: Expo was actually pretty great. Volunteers are the best but the bathrooms needed a LOT of attention. See additional notes below.
Swag: This race gave out some of my all-time favorite swag. I loved the long-sleeved top and bag.
The bathroom lines were insane at the half marathon. I ended up going to the bathroom in the forest with dozens of other desperate runners. They were way off on their estimates of portapotties. Despite the shuttle complaints, we only had a 10ish minute wait for the shuttle back. Not bad! Maybe it’s because we were slow? ; )
If you want to see video of the race, check out my YouTube link below. You’ll see the good, the bad, and the ugly! But I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat!!
Beautiful Scenery
This was the most scenic Half Marathon ever. Running by Somes Sound took my breath away. I stayed in Bar Harbor and walked to packet pick-up. I was impressed with … MORE
This was the most scenic Half Marathon ever. Running by Somes Sound took my breath away. I stayed in Bar Harbor and walked to packet pick-up. I was impressed with the fancy pull over shirt! I got up early the next morning for my half marathon and walked to the Village Green to board the yellow school bus. I arrived at the Neighborhood House and was shocked at the pre race set-up. It was a chilly morning and we had the luxury of waiting inside. When I entered the House, I couldn’t believe all of the most amazing volunteers and the huge spread of food and (hot coffee too!) and drink they put out BEFORE the race. They even had homemade biscuits! They had a few bathrooms in the House and 5 John’s set-up outside the House. They definitely could use more restrooms. The line was super long and i missed the start of the race. It was fun and heartfelt running through the small towns and everyone cheering and supporting the runners. Folks were giving out all kinds of food and drinks. They had THE BEST snacks after the race with the kindest volunteers. They gave out bagels, chips, fruit and yogurt with toppings. The entire community coming together was fantastic. The volunteers were incredible – they were so helpful and kind. It was a festival with live music and vendors. The buses back to town was a long wait (about 30 – 40 minutes). This was by far one of the most beautiful half marathons/marathons and an incredible experience. I’m really glad I did it and have the best memories.
Gorgeous!
As others have stated, the scenery is just awesome. Hilly? I believe the entire course except for the first mile you are either going up or down. I felt like … MORE
As others have stated, the scenery is just awesome.
Hilly? I believe the entire course except for the first mile you are either going up or down. I felt like the down balanced out the up quite well, up until the last 6 miles. The last 6 miles is more exposed to the sun, and in my mind had some longer hills, which my legs finally succumbed to and forced me to walk a portion. But the last 1.2mi is mostly all downhill, and this is something to look forward to.
Volunteers, # of aid stations, and # of porto-potties were all perfect. My only complaint is about the shuttle after the race. 1) It wasn’t obvious where to board the shuttle, and some of us waited in the wrong spot 2) When we got to the right spot we had to wait 30+ minutes. Clearer communication and organization around this would be appreciated by tired runners.
I loved the pull-over SWAG, and the medal!
This was state #49 for me, and will definitely be in my list of favorites to recommend.
A few additional tips: 1) Reserve in advance and stay on main street. Very convenient to the race start and all of the restaurants. The Grand Hotel was perfect, and even served an early breakfast. 2) Stay extra days to go hiking in the Acadia National park. It is a lovely place!
Fantastic Marathon!!!
Will not find a more scenic marathon anywhere! Absolutely gorgeous! Weather was perfect and there were several locations for spectators to be able to follow the runners. Volunteers were amazing! MORE
Will not find a more scenic marathon anywhere! Absolutely gorgeous! Weather was perfect and there were several locations for spectators to be able to follow the runners. Volunteers were amazing!
Hilly 2nd half but beautiful
The first half was beautiful running next to a fjord! The second half was less scenic (side of a road) and constant rolling hills. Looks like the medals are the … MORE
The first half was beautiful running next to a fjord! The second half was less scenic (side of a road) and constant rolling hills. Looks like the medals are the same every year but a nice lobster claw. Event was ran really well and had the best “pre” race party I’ve ever seen. A heated large building with coffee, fresh from the oven biscuits, and other snacks. Bathrooms on the course were scarce but frequent water/aid stations. Overall- I’d recommend. It’s an amazing place for a vacation and the PERFECT time of year.
Great race, and kids' run too!
I absolutely loved this race. I ended up walking several miles toward the end when my peroneal tendonitis became unbearable to run on, but even walking it was enjoyable. My … MORE
I absolutely loved this race. I ended up walking several miles toward the end when my peroneal tendonitis became unbearable to run on, but even walking it was enjoyable. My kids participated in the free kids’ run the day before and had a blast!
Expo: Unremarkable. Held in the local YMCA gym, you get your bib and shirt and that’s about it. There’s a small selection of gear for sale.
Parking: Not a problem. I parked at the advertised free lot at a local school half a mile from the start.
Race: Total field was pretty small so a wave start was unnecessary. I never felt crowded or cut off. The first couple miles flew by and weren’t super scenic but gave a good intro to the hills to come. Personally I enjoyed the rolling hills, and appreciate some variability in terrain and elevation on a course to change up my stride and give different muscle groups the opportunity to take on more of the effort. Most of the course was absolutely gorgeous with MDI in near peak fall foliage and the most perfect marathon weather you could ask for.
Post-race: Here is my ONLY NEGATIVE for this race! I went directly to the medical tent to grab a bag of ice for my foot, then to the refueling tent, and then in search of gear check. Pre-race there was a small hiccup with gear check (the volunteer who was supposed to be handling it never showed, so eventually someone got over to the UHaul they had set up for it and handing my bag off was quick and easy). I looked all around the finish area and didn’t see the UHaul anywhere. I checked the race handbook to be sure I hadn’t missed instructions about where to find gear check at the finish–nope, no instructions for retrieving my gear. Finally I hobbled over to a volunteer who told me all the checked gear was dropped in the grass at the back of the finish area. No signage, no instructions, nothing–just some bags in a patch of grass, completely unsecured. Luckily my bag was unharmed although a little damp, so I grabbed my gear, changed, and hopped on a shuttle back to the start. By the time I got back to Bar Harbor I was starving and the restaurant options were slim. I ended up at a local pizza joint and that was fine, but had I anticipated so many restaurants being closed for the season, I probably would’ve planned my post-race meal ahead of time rather than winging it. All in all, a great race, free race photos was a nice bonus, wish I’d had more time to spend on MDI and would love to go back!
Majestically Beautiful
Unbelievable scenery and the views were amazing. We had perfect weather and the community support was beyond compare. Definitely a must do race and especially if you are doing 50 MORE
Unbelievable scenery and the views were amazing. We had perfect weather and the community support was beyond compare. Definitely a must do race and especially if you are doing 50 states.
Challenging with spectacular views
Very well organized. Volunteers were awesome. Breathtaking views. Cool medals and swag. Loved the ice cream and Chocolate milk at the finish MORE
Very well organized. Volunteers were awesome. Breathtaking views. Cool medals and swag. Loved the ice cream and Chocolate milk at the finish
Spectacular Scenery
The race is a relatively small time operation but it is well-run, and let’s face it, we’re here for the scenery. This is easily one of the most beautiful race … MORE
The race is a relatively small time operation but it is well-run, and let’s face it, we’re here for the scenery. This is easily one of the most beautiful race courses I’ve ever run—not quite Big Sur but close! Which is good, because the course is tough with a lot of hills. Given the smaller operation, there are fewer road closures than you would see at a bigger race and you share the road more often with traffic going in both directions with little more than the shoulder blocked off for you. One of the hardest things was actually the frequent slope on the side of the road which was tough on the feet and I found my right hip significantly more sore than the left side. But the views! Awesome! Makes it all worth it. And while you never know what you’re going to get for weather in New England, when it is right at this time of year—which it was for 2023–it’s perfect for running!
As for other parts: the expo was really small and only had one vendor (though I did show up at 3 on Saturday afternoon); I did not see the return shuttle issues that were complained about in past years; the finish area set-up is sparse; if you are checking a bag, do not be late for the 730 cut-off or you are out of luck (no throwing your bag right on the truck as you start the race); parking in town for the start is a real headache; course support is good; very nice quarter zip with your registration but not much else for other merch; very cool, unique lobster claw medal.
Stunning, Ocean meets Mountains
Excellent race. Between the shops, restaurants, and pubs of Bar Harbor— and the scenic beauty of Acadia National Park— the Mount Desert Island Marathon is a premier destination race. But … MORE
Excellent race. Between the shops, restaurants, and pubs of Bar Harbor— and the scenic beauty of Acadia National Park— the Mount Desert Island Marathon is a premier destination race. But be prepared to pay the piper. Lodging in Bar Harbor isn’t cheap, and you can expect hotels to sell out well ahead of race weekend.
I didn’t personally have the opportunity to explore much on my trip, and this I would sorely regret.
The production was excellent, although there was a pretty major logistical issue with the shuttle buses following the race. They didn’t show up for hours, and racers were stranded. I understand that not all things go according to plan, but this was a bit of a bummer. Having to wait 2 hours, hungry and tired while sitting on hard pavement, is hard to disremember.
But organization was phenomenal in every other way. From packet pickup to the ice cream at the finish, everything went off without a hitch. As for the volunteers— they were a joy. The water stations were well-manned and plentiful, and the bag drop was effortless.
Another factor I found notable was the exceptional quality of the race photos, courtesy of photographer Kevin Morris. Sadly, it doesn’t look like he got everyone’s picture (I couldn’t find any of myself). But for those fortunate enough to make it into his viewfinder, the photos he did capture were very well composed and visually stunning.
My standout favorite for this race was the scenery. The beauty of this course will be tough to beat as I go forward with my 50-state journey. This race is known for its hills, but I barely noticed the difficulty because I was too enamored by my surroundings.
You can check out my full race report here:
https://lasthillhorizon.com/race-day.php?report=the-2022-mount-desert-island-marathon-me&utm_source=raceraves&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=race_raves
Highly recommend!
This was their first running of this race in 3 years due to COVID. Great venue and a beautiful course. So many times I would come to a portion of … MORE
This was their first running of this race in 3 years due to COVID. Great venue and a beautiful course. So many times I would come to a portion of the course and say one simple word…WOW. In all honesty this was a 5 star event up until the very end, while waiting for shuttles to take us back to the race start. We waited in line for close to 2 hours for pickup with no communication from race officials regarding the delays. With this being said, I would still highly recommend this race to anyone, especially those trying for their 50 in 50 and looking for a great race experience!
Beautiful views are what you get
I am completely happy with my performance given the hills and my fourth marathon in 22 days! Nice shirt and bag at bib pick up with a few vendors. Paid … MORE
I am completely happy with my performance given the hills and my fourth marathon in 22 days!
Nice shirt and bag at bib pick up with a few vendors. Paid parking everywhere in Bar Harbor. Nice medal with ribbon for finishers.
Stunning views through a lot of the course and then the dreaded highway towards end. Support of Gatorade and water every two-ish miles and maybe 2-3 spots for gels.
The first disappointment came with an over two hour wait for the bus ride back to start line to Bar Harbor. Gossip said it was even the same scenario with half marathoners earlier as well.
The after party later in the evening… nothing given. Just a menu with unique names for food and drink at your own cost 🤷🏼♀️
The views and challenging course and so close to Acadia National Park is what makes you run this race.
Fun and Scenic Destination Race
I truly enjoyed my experience at the MDI marathon this year! Check in was quick and easy on Saturday afternoon, and there were some really good deals from vendors at … MORE
I truly enjoyed my experience at the MDI marathon this year! Check in was quick and easy on Saturday afternoon, and there were some really good deals from vendors at the expo. The quarter zip pullover was perfect swag, something I’ll actually use instead of ending up in the drawer with all the other tech tees. The start was very accessible from anywhere in Bar Harbor, from my B&B it was a 5 minute walk. The start was energetic but laid back, spectators can stand on the sidewalk all the way up to the start line, and the self seeding seemed to work will even with ~700 runners. Started right on time and we were out of the city and in the woods (and going up the first of many hills) in no time. It was quite foggy for the first 45 mins to an hour, but once it cleared, you couldn’t ask for a better view. Every turn had beautiful fall colors interspersed with quaint villages and plentiful ocean views. The highlight of the course was Seargent drive coming out of Northeast Harbor; the road was completely closed off from traffic, had near complete tree cover, and gorgeous views across the sound. After mile 20 or so, the running got little more precarious since the road was much busier and I was starting to pass some of the half marathon runners who started at the halfway point 30 mins after us. Drivers were generally quite good about giving us room though, and there were more great views over the lake. The last rolling uphill from about mile 21-24.5 was pretty brutal, but after that it was downhill to 26 and then just a slight rise to the finish. I spent a LOT of time training hills for this race and that made all the difference. They weren’t as bad as I expected, but without the training I think my quads would have been shredded halfway through and I would have lost a lot of time in that final hill. The finish area was well equipped with a variety of food and drinks to recover. -1 for production for a few minor complaints. Very few bathrooms/porta potties on the route, I didn’t count exactly, but it wasn’t many and the ones near relay exchange zones were generally monopolized by the relay runners starting there. Additionally, the bus transportation back to the start had some staffing issues, so there was a very long line that moved very slowly. Overall, I’m leaving Maine very satisfied with my new PR and this awesome race!