Is the Mount Desert Island Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston. The BQ rate is relatively low given the hilly terrain, so plan your effort carefully and don't expect the course to deliver a qualifier on its own.

What is the elevation profile like?

The course is net zero but has 1,700 feet of both gain and loss, with a high point above 1,500 feet. It is a genuine rolling course, not a flat one, and early aggressive pacing on the climbs tends to hurt later.

What is the weather typically like on race day?

Race day in mid-October typically brings cool fall conditions, with average highs around 55°F and lows around 41°F. Clear skies and moderate winds are common during peak foliage season, but conditions can vary, so dressing in layers is a good idea.

How large is the field?

The Mount Desert Island Marathon is a small-field race. Recent editions have seen around 800 finishers, which keeps the atmosphere intimate compared to large-city marathons.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the course is USATF certified.

Sun, Oct 18 · 2026Bar Harbor, MESince 2002

Mount Desert Island Marathon

The Mount Desert Island Marathon runs point to point through Acadia's fall terrain, with rolling hills and crisp October air that reward patient, honest racing.

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MOUNT DESERT ISLAND · US

Mount Desert Island

SUN, OCT 18

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 2002

Mount Desert Island is a point-to-point course that runs across Acadia National Park in peak fall foliage season. The first few miles ease you in, but the real work comes in the middle of the race where the course climbs and drops repeatedly through the hills of the park. The elevation gain and loss balance out by the finish, but that does not mean it is flat. Your legs will know about those hills. October temperatures are genuinely cool, often in the low 50s at the start, which helps. Dress in layers for the early miles and plan to shed them.

This is not a pure PR course. The rolling terrain means you should run to effort in the middle miles, not to pace. That said, a meaningful share of finishers do go on to Boston, so if you race smart it is absolutely achievable. Registration opens in February and the field is small. It fills before summer, so if you are planning to run it do not sit on the decision. Charity spots open up once general registration closes if you miss the window. It is a small, well-run race in a genuinely beautiful setting, and the low-key atmosphere is part of what makes it worth the trip.

Field size

~811

811 finishers

BQ rate

4%

Below national average

Time limit

6:30

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:20:59

Alex Russeau

2019

Women

2:49:06

Leah Nook Frost

2018

The Course

1,700 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑1,700 ft

Total descent

↓1,700 ft

Net elevation

↑0 ft

Highest point

1,532 ft

Lowest point

9 ft

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

MDI is a point-to-point course with equal gain and loss, so it is not net downhill and cannot be used for record-eligible times under World Athletics rules, though it is USATF certified and Boston qualifying. The course climbs to a high point above 1,500 feet in the middle miles, meaning the first half carries a significant uphill component before the back half trends downward. The most demanding climbing happens roughly between miles 6 and 14, so going out conservative is critical. The descent in the second half can help you recover lost time, but legs that burned too much energy early will struggle on the later downhills. Cool fall temperatures reduce heat stress and support steady pacing.

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

41°F

High

55°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Mid-October in Bar Harbor runs cool and often damp. You're looking at a low-40s start, which feels sharp in the corral but manageable once you're moving. Temps climb into the mid-50s by the later miles, so don't overdress. A light throwaway layer at the start is worth it. Wind can be a factor out on the island's exposed stretches, so check the forecast the night before. Overall it's a good window for racing, but coastal Maine in October can surprise you, so have a backup plan for your gear.

Entry

OPEN

General registration is limited and opens in February. The race closes when field capacity is reached, typically by August. Charity bibs become available after general registration closes. No day-of-race registration.

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Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

BOS

199 mi

from the start

≈ 314 min transferLonger haul

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into BOS, about 199 miles from the start, a longer haul by rideshare or transit, roughly a 314-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Bar Harbor, ME so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.

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