Burlington, Vermont – May 24, 2026
Burlington, VT – RunVermont, the Vermont-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting running as a lifelong activity by producing exceptional events and programs that engage our community and celebrate the athletic spirit, announces the 37th running of the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, with Relays presented by Darn Tough Vermont, on Sunday, May 24, 2026, continuing its long-standing tradition as a cornerstone of Memorial Day Weekend in Burlington.
The race will begin at 7:15 a.m. at Waterfront Park, drawing around 5,000 registrants, 20,000 spectators, and 800 volunteers for Vermont’s largest single-day sporting event, which celebrates community, endurance, and the start of summer.
“The Vermont City Marathon & Relay is a powerful reflection of what makes this community so special: the thousands of participants who show up to challenge themselves, the volunteers who give their time and energy, and the spectators who line the course and bring it to life with their encouragement,” said Anthea Dexter-Cooper, Executive Director of RunVermont. “This event would not be possible without the continued support of our incredible sponsors and partners, whose commitment helps us create a meaningful experience for everyone involved. We are excited to welcome participants and spectators back to Burlington this May and to celebrate another unforgettable race weekend together.”
“We’re proud to support the Vermont City Marathon & Relay, an incredible event that brings our community together and highlights the best of Burlington,” said Heidi Stumpff, Vermont Regional President of M&T Bank. “Our continued commitment reflects our belief in leading with purpose and supporting experiences that strengthen our community.”
About the Race
The marathon features a USATF-certified and sanctioned 26.2-mile course comprised of two loops of a 13.1-mile route, beginning and ending at Waterfront Park along the shores of Lake Champlain. The course showcases Burlington’s most iconic landmarks, including the Church Street Marketplace and more than 10 miles along the Burlington Bike Path, offering expansive views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.
A Boston Marathon qualifier and one of the faster marathon courses in the United States, the course is known for being relatively flat with gentle rolling hills and a total elevation gain (and loss!) of approximately 700–850 feet.
A defining feature of the event is its nationally recognized marathon-length relays, presented by Darn Tough Vermont, and one of the largest in the country. Teams may compete as either a two person relay team, with each runner completing a half marathon, or as a three-to-five-person relay team, dividing the course into legs ranging from approximately 3 to nearly 7 miles. Each relay leg is individually timed, and all participants receive finisher medals, making the event accessible to people of all experience levels.
Race Day Details
Race day begins with pre-race announcements at 7:00 a.m., followed by the wheelchair start and marathon/relay start at 7:15 a.m. at Waterfront Park. Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, will welcome participants on behalf of the City of Burlington and start the wheelchair race.
The course design allows for multiple spectator viewing points, creating a highly interactive race experience as runners pass through neighborhoods, downtown Burlington, and the waterfront twice over the two-loop course.
Awards
Marathon Age Group Awards
Racers will compete for prize money, and awards will be given to the winning men and women in the following age groups: 16–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80+.
Marathon Cash Prizes
Open (all ages)
● Female: 1st – $2,400, 2nd – $1,300, 3rd – $800
● Male: 1st – $2,400, 2nd – $1,300, 3rd – $800
● Non-Binary: 1st – $2,400
Masters (ages 40+)
● Female: 1st – $700, 2nd – $300
● Male: 1st – $700, 2nd – $300
Handcycle
● Female: 1st – $700
● Male: 1st – $700
Pushrim Wheelchair
● Female: 1st – $700
● Male: 1st – $700
Top Vermonter*
● Female: 1st – $700
● Male: 1st – $700
*Eligibility: Must have been a legal resident of Vermont since at least May 26, 2025.
Open Race Record Bonus (female and male divisions): $1,000
Masters Race Record Bonus (female and male divisions): $500
Meeting 2028 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon “B” Standard (female: 2:37:00, male: 2:16:00): $750**
**Eligibility: Must be eligible, on May 24, 2026, to compete at the 2028 U.S. Marathon Olympic Trials.
Relay Awards
Awards will be presented to the winners in these age categories in the female (all female), male (all male), and mixed (mixed combination of male, female, or non-binary) divisions across both the 2 Person and 3-5 Person relays:
● Junior: All team members age 18 and under
● Open: Any team members ages 19-39
● Masters: All team members ages 40 and over
● Grand Mountaineer: All team members ages 55 and over
Road Runners Club of America Awards 2026
The M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon is the 2026 Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Eastern Region Marathon Championship. RRCA awards will be presented to the first non-binary marathoner and the first female and male wheelchair athletes (in the Wheelchair Half Marathon) and winners in these age categories in the female and male divisions: Open, 40+, 50+, and 60+
Unofficial race-day results and official results will be posted to RunVermont’s website as soon as possible following the race.
M&T Bank Community Spirit Award
M&T Bank is proud to sponsor the Community Spirit Award, recognizing the Burlington neighborhood that best supports runners along the course through enthusiasm, creativity, and participation. The winning neighborhood receives a $500 donation to a charity of their choice, celebrating the vital role of community engagement in the race experience.
About the Invited Runners
In the Women’s Open category, RunVermont welcomes a strong field of regional and returning talent, including 2019 champion Rachel Schilkowsky of Rhode Island (2:38:15 personal best), Paula Pridgen of North Carolina (who will also compete for the women’s masters crown), and Sarah Shiman of South Burlington, who holds a 3:05 marathon personal best and was last year’s Top Vermonter award winner. They are joined by Relena Ribbons, who brings a 3:07 marathon personal best and a 1:25 half marathon time, and Kerri Toney, who brings a 2:52:44 marathon personal best.
Also competing in the Women’s Masters category will be Sally June Tracy, who brings a 1:06 personal best in the 10-mile distance. She is joined by Kim Lord, the 2025 second-place female masters finisher and third female Vermonter, along with Mary Pardi, who ran a 3:11 at the 2025 Sugarloaf Marathon, and Kimberly Tillotson, who posted a 3:02 finish at the 2025 California International Marathon.
The Men’s Open category includes a competitive field of runners including Jacob Lehmann Duke, who holds a 2:19:22 marathon personal best and placed sixth in 2025, Sam Montclair, who ran 2:20:17 and finished third in 2025, and Scott Mindel, who brings a 2:24:50 personal best. They are joined by Harrison Toney, 2:22:33 PR and Kerri Toney’s husband, Ryan Smith, who holds a 1:05 half marathon personal best, and Owen Amsden, a UVM cross country and track athlete with a 14:53 5000m time. Additional competitors include Daniel Stevens, who ran 1:08:59 at the 2025 Cambridge Half and won the 2022 Cape Cod Marathon, Matt Walker (2:20:49 PR), Kevin Heeman, who ran 1:05 at the 2026 Houston Half Marathon, and Jacob Olson (2:29:18 PR). Together, this field brings a mix of elite speed and emerging talent, setting the stage for a highly competitive race.
In the Men’s Masters category, the field includes Kiplangat “Philemon” Terer, the 2024 men’s open champion, along with Ryan Murphy, who won the masters division at the 2025 Richmond Marathon with a time of 2:32:54. They are joined by Blake Ressler, who ran 1:14:11 at the 2025 Maine Half and 2:37 at the 2025 California International Marathon, Justin Lagat, who holds a 1:17:44 half marathon time, Frederic Leroux, who placed second in the masters division in 2025, and Alexander Grout, who brings a 2:28:45 marathon personal best from the 2024 Hudson Valley Marathon.
In the Non-Binary category, Bryan Morseman returns after placing first in 2025 and brings an impressive marathon personal best of 2:20.
Youth Running Events
RunVermont will host its youth races on Saturday, May 23, at Waterfront Park, including the M&T Bank Vermont City Two Mile and Mini Marathon. These events invite young runners to participate in race weekend, with distances ranging from a half mile to a competitive two-mile race for older participants.
Race Weekend Events
SPORTS & FITNESS EXPO (DoubleTree by Hilton, South Burlington)
● Friday, May 22, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
● Saturday, May 23, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
RUNVERMONT HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY (DoubleTree by Hilton, South Burlington)
● Friday, May 22, 6:00 p.m.
M&T BANK VERMONT CITY TWO MILE & MINI MARATHON (Waterfront Park, Burlington)
● Saturday, May 23 at 8:30 a.m.
RACE DAY – M&T BANK VERMONT CITY MARATHON & RELAY (Waterfront Park, Burlington)
● Sunday, May 24 at 7:00 a.m.
Community Impact and Experience
As the third largest marathon in New England and one of the largest marathon relays in the United States, the event delivers significant economic and cultural impact to the Burlington community. The race is widely recognized for its strong spectator presence, with neighborhoods, live entertainment, and local organizations creating an energetic and supportive atmosphere along the course.
From Taiko drummers and cheering zones to the iconic waterfront finish festival, the Vermont City Marathon & Relay offers a uniquely immersive race-day experience for participants and spectators alike.
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors!
RunVermont extends its sincere gratitude to the 2026 sponsors of the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, whose support helps make this event possible. This year’s sponsors include M&T Bank, Darn Tough Vermont, Altra, Bin There Dump That, Farrell Distributing Corporation, GlobalFoundries, Kinney Drugs, Performance Foodservice, Timberlane Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, University of Vermont Medical Center, Vermont’s Original Bag Balm, UnTapped All Natural Athletic Fuel, and Wasted*.
These valued partners play a critical role in enhancing the race experience for participants and spectators alike, supporting athlete performance, sustainability initiatives, and the continued growth of one of Vermont’s premier sporting events.
About RunVermont
RunVermont is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of running as a lifelong activity and hosting premier running events in the state of Vermont. In addition to the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, RunVermont also produces a variety of other races and community running programs throughout the year. For more information, please visit www.runvermont.org.
About M&T Bank
M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T’s principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services with a branch and ATM network spanning the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T’s Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank. For more information on M&T Bank, visit www.mtb.com.
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About the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay
The Vermont City Marathon was established in 1989 by a small group of local runners who believed that Burlington, Vermont could support a large New England marathon event in the spring. The marathon relay, one of the first marathon relay events in the US and the first organized in conjunction with a marathon, was held in the very first year of the race’s existence. The 1989 race brought 414 marathoners and 125 5-person relay teams to the finish line. Since 1993, the event has grown tremendously both in numbers and status in the running industry. Runner’s World magazine has ranked the race as one of the top 20 best marathons in the United States and, as recently as summer 2025, one of the top 10 best marathons for beginners. For more information, run over to www.runvermont.org.