10/15/2026
Conquer the Coast: Inside the 2026 Mount Desert Island Marathon
Experience North America’s Premier Fall Destination Road Race
GET REAL MAINE. RUN MDI! Mount Desert Island is Maine’s premier destination marathon, half & relay. Consequently, the award-winning Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay returns on Sunday, Oct 18th, 2026. This celebrated event attracts passionate runners from across the globe. Participants tackle miles of pristine terrain. The course winds past tranquil lakes and soaring mountains. Racers witness sleepy Maine villages and stunning seaside vistas. Specifically, Some Sound, the only fjord on the Eastern Seaboard, offers breathtaking views.
Furthermore, all of this unfolds against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Acadia National Park in peak fall foliage season. Meanwhile, the full marathon and team relay start in world-famous Bar Harbor. The half-marathon starts in the picturesque village of Northeast Harbor. All three races finish on the quiet side of MDI in the hardworking maritime community of Southwest Harbor.
Founded in 2002, the MDI Marathon was created to leave more than footprints in the communities where we all love to run. Held annually the weekend following Indigenous Peoples’ Day, this twenty-third running marks a historic milestone. Once you , you’ll see why this fall classic has earned national and international accolades.
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