How do I register for the White Mountain Marathon?

Registration is open entry through REVEL's registration platform. No lottery or qualifying time is required. Check REVEL's site for current availability and pricing.

Is the White Mountain Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, it is a USATF-certified Boston qualifying course. Roughly one in five finishers has crossed with a BQ-eligible time.

What is the course like? Is it flat?

It's point-to-point along the Kancamagus Highway with about 2,350 feet of gain and 2,350 feet of loss, finishing net-flat overall. In practice it means a significant climb to a high point near 2,800 feet before a long sustained descent to the finish around 460 feet. It rewards patience, not an aggressive early pace.

How do I get to the start?

The start is at CL Graham Wangan Overlook on the Kancamagus Highway. Runners take race-provided shuttle buses from hotels in the North Conway area to reach it, so plan your morning around the shuttle schedule.

What is the time limit?

The time limit is approximately 6 hours and 33 minutes from the start.

What should I expect from race-day weather?

Early May in the White Mountains typically means a chilly start in the low 40s near the high-elevation beginning and temperatures climbing into the mid-60s by the time you finish in Lincoln. Bring a throwaway layer for the start and plan for warmer conditions in the final miles.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the White Mountain Marathon course is USATF certified.

May 2027 · est.Lincoln, NHSince 2024

White Mountain Marathon

The White Mountain Marathon sends you across the Kancamagus Highway through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, with serious climbing and an equal drop demanding patience on both sides.

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WHITE MOUNTAIN · US

White Mountain

MAY 2027

estimated

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Race Overview

EST. 2024

The White Mountain Marathon runs point-to-point along the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountain National Forest. You start high, climb higher, then spend a long stretch running downhill toward Lincoln. The scenery is dense northern forest with the peaks rising around you, and in early May there's a good chance you'll have cool, crisp air and very few distractions. It's a hard course disguised as a PR course. Don't let the net-flat elevation fool you.

The climbing comes first, and it's real. You gain altitude steadily in the opening miles before cresting and beginning the long descent. That back-half downhill feels like a gift, but your quads will know about it by mile 22. Be conservative on the way up and don't open up too early on the way down. Because you're starting on a mountain highway, you'll need the race shuttle from the North Conway area to reach the start, so plan your morning accordingly. Registration is open entry through REVEL, which makes it an easy ticket to get. If you want a genuine mountain challenge with a Boston qualifier attached, this one delivers.

Field size

~1.1k

1,141 finishers

BQ rate

19%

Above national average

Time limit

6:33

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:33:05

Charles Castonguay

2024

Women

2:47:32

Kerri Ruffo

2024

The Course

2,350 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑2,350 ft

Total descent

↓2,350 ft

Net elevation

↑0 ft

Highest point

2,823 ft

Lowest point

461 ft

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

The course is point-to-point along the Kancamagus Highway, with 2,350 feet of gain and an equal 2,350 feet of loss, finishing net-flat but never flat in feel. The route climbs toward a high point near 2,800 feet before descending to the finish around 460 feet. Expect significant climbing in the first half as you approach the summit corridor, followed by sustained downhill running in the back half. The descent is long enough to shred quads if you push early. Front-load restraint and treat the downhill as earned, not free. Road surface throughout, with exposure to wind at elevation. USATF certified.

DIFFICULTYMOUNTAINOUSPR-FRIENDLYNO

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

39°F

High

65°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Early May in the White Mountains means a cool morning at the start and warmer temps by the time you reach the finish in Lincoln. You might be in the low 40s at the gun, up near 2,800 feet, so bring a throwaway layer for the corral. The afternoon high can reach the mid-60s, which means the back half of the race, when you're working hard on the descent, could feel warmer than you expect. Dress in layers and don't overdress for the finish.