Vermont City Marathon
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Elevation Gain
150m
Elevation Range
58m
Avg Temperature
58°F / 14°C
Course Profile
rolling
Course Map & Elevation
This route is generated and may not follow the exact official course.
Course Overview
A rolling loop course through Burlington, Vermont with ~150m of total climbing and no net elevation change (start and finish at 39m on the Lake Champlain waterfront). The profile ranges from 30m to 90m, with significant early climbing through the Hill Section and a second set of hills through the UVM campus around the halfway mark. The one thing that makes this race unique is its Memorial Day weekend community atmosphere in one of America's most charming small cities, combined with hills that punish flat-course training.
Key Segments
Waterfront to Hill Section Crest
Terrain: Steady climb from 39m at the waterfront to 90m through Burlington's Hill Section neighborhoods, then cresting and beginning descent
Challenge: A 50m climb in the opening kilometers when legs are fresh but adrenaline tempts overcooking the effort
Tactic: Run by effort, not pace. Shorten stride, stay tall, drive arms. Let faster starters go — you will see many of them again after km 30.
Descent and South End Flats
Terrain: Long descent from 90m to 33m through the South End Arts District and Shelburne Road corridor
Challenge: The downhill after the opening climb feels generous — resist the urge to bank time. Eccentric loading begins here.
Tactic: Settle into goal pace on the descent. Find your rhythm on the flat sections. Check effort level and let breathing settle.
UVM Campus Hills — The Crux
Terrain: Rolling terrain through the University of Vermont campus, climbing from 33m to 85m with multiple hills, including the North Prospect Street climb (km 23)
Challenge: This is where races are lost — arriving on tired legs after the first half's descent, facing the course's most notable sustained climbs
Tactic: Run relaxed on uphills: short stride, tall posture, arm drive. Keep effort constant, not pace. Take gel before km 20 to fuel the climbs.
New North End to Waterfront Finish
Terrain: Rolling descent from 85m through North End neighborhoods, then flat waterfront return from 38m to 39m at the finish
Challenge: Cumulative fatigue from 150m of climbing meets the final flat waterfront miles; crowd energy in downtown can tempt a premature kick
Tactic: Use the crowd energy through downtown and Church Street wisely — push to the finish on the flat waterfront with everything remaining.
Race-Specific Training
- •Run hill repeats weekly during buildup — both short steep repeats for strength and longer 2-3km sustained climbs to build lactate threshold on grade
- •Include hilly long runs with 200-300m of total gain to simulate the cumulative muscular toll of Burlington's rolling profile
- •Train in a full spectrum of weather conditions (cold, wet, warm) as May in Burlington is notoriously variable from frost to mid-20s C
Conditions & Environment
Altitude
Course ranges from 30m to 90m. No altitude concerns.
Weather
Memorial Day weekend (late May). Typical temps 8-20C (46-68F), but the range year to year is extreme — some editions see frost, others push mid-20s C (77F+).
Sun & Wind
Lake Champlain generates wind along the waterfront sections. Moderate sun exposure through the open campus and North End sections. May humidity can be deceptive — even at 15C, hills increase exertion significantly.
What to Wear
Prepare for variable conditions. Arm warmers and throwaway layers recommended. Race in singlet and shorts with the option to shed. Nothing new on race day.
Pacing Strategy
| Segment | Pace | Note |
|---|---|---|
| km 0-7 | 10-15 sec/km slower than goal pace | Major opening climb. Run by effort, not pace. Bank energy for the UVM hills at halfway. |
| km 7-16 | Goal pace | Descent and flats. Find rhythm, settle breathing, check hydration. |
| km 16-27 | 5-15 sec/km slower on hills, goal pace on flats | UVM campus crux. Effort-based running on all climbs. Accept the slowdown. |
| km 27-42.195 | Goal pace or faster | Rolling descent then flat waterfront finish. Disciplined runners cash in here. |
Race Day Tip
Walk the UVM campus hill sections the day before if possible — knowing what the North Prospect Street climb looks like removes the surprise factor on race day. The Memorial Day weekend atmosphere makes Burlington a destination race, so arrive a day early and enjoy the city.
Race details subject to change. Verify with the official race website.
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