Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival 2026
Schroon Lake, New York, NY
Registration open
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| September | 50–70°F | Mild |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
Marathon
Loop · Mixed · starts 8:00 AM- Elev gain
- 1,500 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 1,110 ft
- Low point
- 811 ft
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Loop around Schroon Lake on paved roads with one ~0.5-mile gravel stretch around mile 3. Miles 4–12 feature short, steep hills on the east side of the lake; miles 13–18 are flat along the east shore; miles 18–26 have long, gentle rolling hills on Route 9 north to the finish at Town Beach. Early Bird wave at 7:00 a.m. for runners needing more time. 6.5-hour cutoff (finish line closes 3:30 p.m. in 2025; 3:00 p.m. in 2026). Boston Qualifier certified (NY21011JG). Pace Bears available for 3:30–5:30 in 15-minute increments.
Half Marathon
Point-to-point · Road · starts 9:00 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- 811 ft
- Start and finish are in different locations
- Plan shuttle, drop-off, or two-car logistics
- Conditions can differ from start to finish
Starts at the 13.1-mile marker of the full marathon course (east side of lake); complimentary buses depart 7:40–8:05 a.m. from Route 9 next to the Adirondack Inn. First 5–6 miles flat along east shore of Schroon Lake, then long gentle hills on Route 9 to the Town Beach finish. Skips the steep east-shore hills of the full marathon. Field capped at 650. USATF certified NY21013JG.
4-Person Marathon Relay
Loop · Mixed · starts 8:00 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Four legs with exchanges at approximately miles 4.4, 13.1, and 18.2. Leg lengths: Leg 1 ~4.4 mi, Leg 2 ~8.7 mi, Leg 3 ~5.1 mi, Leg 4 ~8.0 mi.
10K
Unknown · Road · starts 9:30 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
Held Saturday. Starts at Town of Chester Municipal Center, 6307 State Route 9, Chestertown, NY. Paved streets through the village; two aid stations.
5K
Unknown · Road · starts 9:30 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
Held Saturday alongside the 10K. Starts at Town of Chester Municipal Center, Chestertown, NY.
Travel
- Base town
- Schroon Lake
- Nearest airport
- ALB · 75 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Limited
- Lodging
- Good
- Facilities
- Good
- Trip length
- 2 nights
- Travel complexity
- 5/10
Point-to-point course
You finish in a different place than you start, so plan for transport back to your car or lodging.
Schroon Lake is a small Adirondack village with limited lodging; book early especially for fall foliage weekend. A rental car is effectively required. Albany is the closest major airport (~75 min drive).
Getting around
- Crew access — Exchange Zone 1
- Crew access — Exchange Zone 2
- Crew access — Exchange Zone 3
Half marathoners must catch complimentary race-day buses — plan logistics carefully. Saturday events are held in Chestertown, a short drive from Schroon Lake.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- fall foliage seekers
- destination half marathoners
- runners who enjoy small-field races
- Boston Qualifier attempts (fit runners only)
- Scenery seekers
- Experienced marathoners
- Community atmosphere
Avoid if
- chasing a flat PR course
- you need a large race atmosphere
- heat-sensitive runners (warm September mornings possible)
- You dislike hills
- You need large-city amenities
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating the sustained hills on miles 4–12 of the marathon; the first half is much harder than the second. Also, half marathoners must catch buses departing 7:40–8:05 a.m. from Route 9 — missing the shuttle means missing your start.
Photos
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