Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay
The Maine Marathon offers a scenic, fast course with city and bay views, perfect for a fall race.
Race Date
Sep 26, 2026
Location
Portland, ME
Quick facts
- Date
- Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Location
- Portland, Maine
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 26.2 Miles, 13.1 Miles, 5K, 10K
- Course
- Out & Back
- Terrain
- Road
- USATF certified
- Yes
- Finishers on record
- 42,548
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
The Maine Marathon, Half Marathon, and Marathon Relay have been a fixture since 1992, drawing approximately 4,652 finishers in recent years, with a loyal 21% repeat runner rate. Runners travel from around 57 states to experience this USATF-certified course, known for its scenic beauty and potential for personal bests.
The out-and-back course winds through Portland, offering views of the city skyline, Back Cove, and Casco Bay, all set against a backdrop of peak fall foliage. While described as having rolling hills and ocean views, the course is also noted for its minimal elevation changes, suggesting a fast profile ideal for achieving personal records. The typical winning time for the half marathon is around 64 minutes.
Beyond the race itself, Portland provides a vibrant atmosphere with award-winning restaurants, breweries, and shopping in the Old Port. This makes the Maine Marathon a destination event, offering a complete weekend experience for runners and their families.
Race-provided description
The Maine Community Bank Maine Marathon features an out-and-back course for all three races -- marathon, relay and half marathon -- with rolling hills and views of the Portland skyline, the Back Cove, Casco Bay, and peak fall foliage. The Marathon is USATF certified and a Boston Marathon qualifier. The Half Marathon is also USATF certified, and the Marathon Relay is a 2 to 4-person marathon-length event. Make it a weekend for the whole family! Enjoy Portland’s breweries, restaurants, Old Port shopping and scenic beauty before and after your race. Your family and friends can easily access the start/finish line along beautiful Back Cove.
Logistics
Race Day
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Start Time
7:45 AM
Giveaway
T-Shirt
Start Location
Baxter Boulevard, Portland, ME, 04101
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Out & Back
Terrain
road
Scenery
Urban, Coastal
Surface
Paved
Difficulty
Rolling Hills
Net Drop/km
0 m (Flat)
Separation
0.0%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
ME24002DT · Maine Half Marathon
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.
Course Map
1 other map for this race
Quality Score
Runner Favorite9531 years running
~4,280 finishers a year
growing or steady
21% returning runners
USATF certified · 5 timing sources · 7 photos
runners from 57 states
winner 1:04:39
typical high 68°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
54°
Afternoon (High)
68°
Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish
0.1"
Precipitation
10 mph
Wind
81%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 42,548 finishers actually crossed the line across 31 years.
Most recent
2025
Total finishers
42,548
Median time
2:07:52
Latest turnout
2,365
States
51
Turnout by year
2017–2025
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay?
The Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay is held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, starting at 7:45 AM.
Where does the Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay take place?
It takes place in Portland, Maine.
What distances does the Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 26.2 Miles, 13.1 Miles, 5K, 10K.
Is the Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay course flat and good for a PR?
The Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay is a rolling hills, out & back course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.
How many people run the Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay?
HalfRuns has finish records for 42,548 runners who have completed the Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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