race.vacations
Madeline Island Marathon & Half Marathon
RoadRoadMixed SurfaceBoston Qualifier

Madeline Island Marathon & Half Marathon

La Pointe, Madeline Island, WI

A bucket-list island BQ with a tight-knit community vibe — if you can snag a spot before it sells out.

When
May 16, 2026
Distances
Marathon · Half Marathon
Surface
Mixed
Course
Loop
Elevation gain
649 ft
Altitude
600 ft–719 ft
Weather
Cool
Nearest airport
DLH
Suggested trip
2 nights

Score breakdown

7.5/10

Strong. A strong destination race with real appeal.

Scenery / setting9.0· 20%
Course character8.5· 15%
Weather appeal5.5· 15%
Destination appeal8.5· 15%
Logistics practicality5.0· 15%
Difficulty clarity7.5· 10%
Data confidence7.5· 5%
Editorial judgment8.5· 5%

Also worth knowing (not weighted)

Non-runner appeal7.0
Remoteness8.5

Editorial score (v0.1) — full method on How we score. Never affected by sponsorships.

Weather

MonthAvg high / lowBand
May41–56°FCool
Moderate cold risk~3.3 in typical precipModerately humid, averaging ~80% relative humidity. Average wind ~11.9 mph; cold lake wind off Lake Superior is common.

Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.

Route & course

Marathon

Loop · Mixed · starts 8:30 AM
Elev gain
649 ft
Elev loss
649 ft
High point
719 ft
Low point
600 ft
  • Start and finish in the same area
  • Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Start · 620 ftFinish · 620 ftHigh point · 719 ftPacket pickup

USATF-certified Boston Qualifier. Mostly paved with short packed-gravel sections. Includes a 9-mile one-lane/shoulder out-and-back segment. Rolling hills throughout; 7-hour time limit. Course is partially open to traffic.

Course map

Half Marathon

Loop · Mixed · starts 8:30 AM
Elev gain
—
Elev loss
—
High point
—
Low point
—
  • Start and finish in the same area
  • Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Start · 620 ftFinish · 620 ft

USATF-certified. Mostly paved with a minor gravel section and a long sloping hill toward the end. Partially open to traffic. Elevation profile not separately published by race.

Course map

Travel

Base town
La Pointe, Madeline Island
Nearest airport
DLH · 120 min
Rental car
Recommended
Rideshare
Limited
Lodging
Good
Facilities
Limited
Trip length
2 nights
Travel complexity
7/10

Reaching the race requires flying into Duluth (~90 mi away), driving to Bayfield, and then taking a ferry to Madeline Island. No rideshare on the island; lodging is limited and books up with the race. Plan well in advance.

Getting around

  • Packet pickup — Event Tent at Joni's Beach

    Packet pickup Friday May 15, 4–8 pm; and race morning 6:30–8 am.

Duluth (DLH) is served by Delta (Minneapolis) and United (Chicago). Car rentals available at DLH. Ferry from Bayfield to La Pointe is the only access; check Madeline Island Ferry Line schedules. Both island and Bayfield lodging fill fast around race weekend.

Best for / avoid if

Best for

  • Boston Qualifier seekers wanting a scenic, low-key race
  • Runners who love unique destination races
  • Small-field race enthusiasts
  • Midwest runners looking for a weekend island getaway
  • scenic runners
  • small-race fans
  • Lake Superior fans

Avoid if

  • You need a large crowd or big-city race energy
  • You're sensitive to cold, wind, or unpredictable spring weather
  • You require reliable rideshare or urban amenities
  • You need a wheelchair-friendly or adaptive course
  • urban amenities seekers
  • those needing extensive crowd support

First-timer mistakes

Underestimating Lake Superior's spring weather — temps can swing from snow to 80°F, and a cold wind off the lake is almost certain. Book the ferry and lodging the moment registration opens; both fill quickly.

Where to stay, eat & explore

Local picks for the weekend.

Runner reports

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Race history

Race-trip notes

Plan to arrive Friday to catch packet pickup (4–8 pm at the event tent) and the optional pasta dinner at St. John's Church. The ferry from Bayfield is the only way on/off the island; check schedules carefully. A rental car from Duluth (DLH, ~90 mi) is the most practical transport option.

About this race

With fields capped at 150 marathoners and 350 half marathoners, this intimate race circles the largely car-free roads of Madeline Island on paved surfaces with short gravel sections. The marathon is a Boston Qualifier featuring ~650 ft of rolling gain, a custom artisan finisher medal, and a post-race party with food and beverages. Getting here requires a ferry crossing from Bayfield, WI, adding a genuine island-adventure feel.

Last verified June 30, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.