How do I register for the Lake Champlain Marathon?

Registration is open to all through RunSignup. It opened October 1, 2025 and runs until the field cap is reached. Early registration gets you the best pricing, and the race does fill up, so don't wait.

Is the Lake Champlain Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, it is a certified Boston qualifier. Around 11 percent of finishers typically hit a qualifying standard, so it's achievable but not a given on this course.

What is the course elevation like?

The course is a two-loop route with equal gain and loss, so there's no net elevation benefit. The terrain rolls consistently throughout, and those repeated climbs add up in the back half of the race.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the Lake Champlain Marathon is USATF certified, which means your finish time is valid for Boston qualifying purposes.

What is the time limit?

The time limit is 6.5 hours, which gives most runners comfortable room to finish.

What should I expect from race-day weather?

Late May in Burlington typically brings a cool start in the upper 40s that climbs into the low 70s by midday. Plan for warming conditions on your second loop and start drinking water early in the race.

How big is the field?

The race has a cap of around 5,000 participants. It's a mid-size event with a genuine racing atmosphere, especially among runners targeting Boston qualifying times.

May 2027 · est.Burlington, VTSince 1989

Lake Champlain Marathon

The Lake Champlain Marathon runs two loops through Burlington's waterfront and surrounding roads, with enough rolling terrain to keep you honest and a lakeside setting that makes the miles pass faster than expected.

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LAKE CHAMPLAIN · US

Lake Champlain

MAY 2027

estimated

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Race Overview

EST. 1989

The Lake Champlain Marathon starts and finishes in Burlington and runs two loops out along the lake. The setting is genuinely pretty, right along the waterfront, and the course is well-organized and easy to follow. But it is not flat. There's a fair amount of rolling terrain that adds up over 26.2 miles, so go into it with honest expectations.

The two-loop format is a double-edged thing. You get a preview on loop one, which helps with pacing. But by mile 16 or so, those same hills feel different. Don't go with whatever early adrenaline the waterfront gives you. The race is a Boston qualifier, and a solid chunk of the field is chasing a standard, so there's real racing energy at the start. Registration is open, first-come, and fills up, so get in early once the window opens. Burlington is a small city and hotels near the start go fast too. Worth planning ahead.

Field size

~5k

5,000 finishers

BQ rate

11%

Above national average

Time limit

6:30

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:15:52

Ryan Smith

2026

Women

2:33:40

Maegan Krifchin

2023

The Course

775 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑775 ft

Total descent

↓775 ft

Net elevation

↑0 ft

Highest point

232 ft

Lowest point

98 ft

Course shape

Multi loop

Start and finish in one place

The course runs two identical loops, which means you know exactly what's coming the second time around. Total gain and loss are equal, so there's no net elevation advantage to lean on. Climbs are modest given the low highest point, but the repeated rolling sections accumulate fatigue. The key pacing risk is going out too fast on loop one while legs are fresh. Expect to work harder on the same hills in miles 14 to 20 than you did early on. Surface is road throughout. The low highest point keeps exposure manageable, but open stretches near the waterfront can introduce headwind. A conservative first loop and patient miles 14 to 18 give you the best shot at a strong finish.

DIFFICULTYROLLINGPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

48°F

High

71°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Late May in Burlington means a cool-to-mild morning at the gun that warms into the low 70s by the time you're grinding through the back half. The early miles are comfortable, but you can end up heat-managing more than you expected once the sun is up and you're on your second loop. Have a light layer for the corral, and start hydrating early. It's not reliably hot, but it's not reliably cool either.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration on RunSignup. Registration opened October 1, 2025 and continues until full. Early registration encouraged for best rates.

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Frequently Asked

7 questions

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