Sugarloaf Marathon

The setting for the race is breathtaking as it follows the Maine Scenic Highway – Route 27, winding through the beautiful mountains of Western Maine. Despite the mountainous surroundings, Sugarloaf’s course is ranked among the top 15 fastest marathon courses in the nation. The first 5 miles of the marathon are flat, miles 5-10 are rolling hills with a steady two-mile climb at mile 8. The last 16 miles are downhill. The course starts in Eustis, travels through Carrabassett Valley, and ends in Kingfield. The weather in the mountains this time of year is ideal for running. Normal morning temperatures range in the 40′s at 7am and rise to the 70′s by 11am.

Sugarloaf 15K

The Sugarloaf 15K is on the last half of the marathon course, starting in Carrabassett Valley and following the Carrabassett River to Kingfield. This course, potentially the fastest 15K in New England, has an elevation loss of 300 feet between start and finish and is nearly void of hills. Both courses stay on Route 27 with no turns, no intersections and no chance of getting lost. The weather in the mountains this time of year is ideal for running. Normal morning temperatures range in the 40′s at 7am and rise to the 70′s by 11am.

Registration

For just about all of us, running races with distances of the marathon-magnitude take a great deal of training and discipline. Register early and develop a training schedule and plan that works best for you.

  • Pre-Registration
    Pre-register for the 2011 Sugarloaf Marathon & 15k by Clicking Here>>
  • New for 2011 There will be no on site registration, all participants must pre-register.
  • Check-In at Sugarloaf
    Marathon & 15K check-in will be held in the Sugarloaf Base Lodge on Saturday, May 14, 2011 (the afternoon before the race) from 3-8pm. There is no on site registration for the Marathon. All unclaimed Marathon bib numbers will be brought to the start line and are available for pick-up between 6-6:30am only.

Athlete Dinner

A delicious all-you-can-eat Spaghetti Dinner will be avaialbe for racers, friends and family from 5-7pm on Saturday, May 14, 2011 in the King Pine Room, Sugarloaf Base Lodge. Tickets can be purchsed at the door.  A special presentation from our title sponsor and a brief overview of the Sugarloaf Charitable Trust will be given as you enjoy your dinner. Dinner will include carbohydrate-rich spaghetti, meat and vegetarian sauce options, salad, garlic bread, cookies and refreshments.

Race Day Transportation

  • Marathon
    The Marathon starts at 7am at Cathedral Pines Campground in Eustis, Maine on Sunday, May 15. Transportation to the start is available for all marathon runners. Buses will leave from Tranten’s Parking Lot in Kingfield (across from the race finish line) at 5:30am sharp. Sugarloaf resort pick-up is available ONLY at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel lobby at 5:45am. For walkers or runners who need a little extra time and would like to start the marathon at 6am, a shuttle will leave Tranten’s at 5am. Please note, due to timing restrictions we will not be able to hold the shuttle for any reason. Baggage transport is available from the start to the finish line. There will be a shuttle after the race for Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel drop-off only.
  • 15K
    The 15K starts at 7:30am at Ayotte’s Country Store in Carrabassett Valley, Maine on Sunday, May 15. Two shuttles will leave the Tranten’s Parking Lot in Kingfield (across from the race finish line) at 6am sharp. Baggage transport is available from the start to the finish. There will a shuttle after the race for Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel drop-off only.

Finish Line, Live Timing, Awards & Prizes

Finish Line
The finish line for both the Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K is located in downtown Kingfield, ME in the Jordan Lumber parking lot across from Tranten’s Shurfine. Runners are met by friends, family and a support staff numbering over 50 people! At the finish line, we offer runners a variety of services, including:

  • Medical support, assessment and treatment
  • Complimentary chiropractic examinations and relief
  • Complimentary massage provided by area licensed massage therapists
  • Delicious (free) post-race lunch prepared by local chef Rose Fields

Live Timing
The Sugarloaf Marathon uses Live Timing services provided by the professionals at All Sports Events, Timing & Event Services. With over two decades in events management, the team at All Sports Events are equipped with the latest technology and tools in the timing field.

Awards & Prizes
Every Marathon and 15K racer that crosses the finish line in Kingfield receives a finishers commemorative medal. Medals are awarded at the finish line by our volunteers. Some runners will receive Garmin running watches which are some of the best running watches made today

Awards for qualifiers in the following categories

  • Overall top Male and Female Marathon & 15K athletes
  • Top three Male and Female runners within in each age group

Cash prizes will be awarded in the following fashion by our title sponsor directly following the race. Time TBA.

  • Marathon
    First place Male & Female: $500, plus $300 bonus (M:2:30, F: 2:50)
    Second place male & female: $300
    Third place male & female: $200
  • 15K
    First place Male & Female: $300, plus $200 bonus (M:47 min., F: 52 min.)
    Second place male & female: $100
    Third place male & female: $50

Travel & Lodging

Travel
Located in the heart of the western mountains of Maine, the storied Sugarloaf area is incredibly scenic and well-worth the trip. The First Timer’s Guide, Travel Tips & Directions to Sugarloaf make planning your trip easy and worry-free.

Lodging

Karma Fair Trade Show

Marathon and 15K runners and their families will have the opportunity to peruse a Karma Fair Trade Show at the Sugarloaf Base Lodge, May 15 from 3-8pm (during race registration). A percentage of proceeds will go to the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust and towards the construction of the Carrabassett Valley Public Library and Community Center backyard playscape that will be utilized by Western Maine Center for Children, Carrabassett Valley Preschool, and the general public.

Featured items available are Baskets of Africa, Mr Ellie Pooh stationary, Kingdom Ventures bags, and Nightlight jewelry. Other items include: fair trade jewelry, soapstone, collectibles, toys, ornaments, pottery, purses, soaps, candles…and much more… all unique and reasonably priced from $5-$50. Every purchase brings hope to others… and supports two of our community’s non profits and their causes. Cash/checks/credit cards accepted.

The Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust

The Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust is a private, nonprofit trust, dedicated to improving the quality of life for the communities that make up the Sugarloaf area. The trust provides financial assistance to organizations with nonprofit, tax-exempt status. The goal of this assistance is to encourage the growth in existing human service and cultural organizations and to develop new organizations that will involve and improve the Sugarloaf area.

The Trust was established in early 1984, when the employees of Sugarloaf Mountain Corporation began contributing on a volunteer basis to the Trust through a payroll deduction program. These contributions were, and continue to be, matched by Sugarloaf Mountain Corporation. Tax-deductible contributions to the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust are presently being accepted from the entire Sugarloaf community.

In May 2009, thanks to the donations of Sugarloaf employees throughout the season, the Trust was able to distribute $13,500 to community organizations, including:

Become a Sponsor, Support the Trust

Giving back to the Sugarloaf area community is both easy and rewarding for small and large businesses alike. In 2009, the Sugarloaf Marathon contributed more than $10,000 to the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust, the largest donation in the event’s history – 100% of sponsor dollars went directly to the Trust! Sugarloaf and the Trust welcomes donations ranging from $25 and up and sponsors benefit from having their businesses name at the forefront of the race action. Check out the many levels of sponsorship opportunities below.

  • Title  Sponsor: $5,000 +
    The premiere sponsorship level available grants the donating party exclusive benefits and rights to all communications created for the Sugarloaf Marathon & 15K.

    Company’s logo will be featured on the front of the official event T-shirt as well as on all race bibs. Sponsor will also have the option to display banners and signage at both the start and finish areas of the race.

    In addition to these benefits, representative opportunities include: official recognition and speaking engagement at the Race Dinner the night prior to the event, starting the Marathon with the assistance of a Sugarloaf race official and honored guest at the Awards Ceremony directly following the race.

  • Associate Sponsor: $1,000 – $4,999
    The Associate Sponsor level grants the company logo placement on the back of the official event T-shirt, logo inclusion on signage and banners at both the start and finish areas of the race, plus company logo displayed on the Marathon webpage with links to company sites.
  • $500 - $999 - Have your business’s company logo printed on the back of the official Sugarloaf Marathon & 15K race T-shirts. Banner/sign placement at the Finish Line can be arranged as well.
  • $250 – $499 - Have your business’s name displayed on a banner/sign on the Finish Line fence in downtown Kingfield. This is a high traffic area and a great exposure opportunity.
  • $100 - Reserve a mileage marker exclusively for your business on race day.
  • $50 – Be one of two area businesses to be listed on one of Sugarloaf’s mileage markers on race day.
  • $25 – Be one of four area businesses to be listed on one of Sugarloaf’s mileage markers on race day.

Getting involved is easy and fun. Sponsorship levels are flexible and can be tailored to meet your businesses means. Please contact Special Programs Coordinator – Joni Blanchard -  to learn more about how your company can give back and stay in the race. Email Joni or call 207-237-6950.

Testimonials

Read what runners had to say about the experience…

“This was my first time running the Sugarloaf Marathon and compared to other marathons that I have run, your event was so well organized yet laid back at the same time. Everyone was very friendly and so helpful, from the people at packet pick-up to the people at the aide stations along the course and those who provided food after the race! The homemade granola and soup after the run were delicious and really hit the spot. Hats off to you for having such a well organized and enjoyable race! I will definitely be back to run Sugarloaf again and I will recommend it to other runners as well.”

“I wanted to extend my thanks to you for another great race. The weather conditions that you ordered up were perfect! Couldn’t have been better! But I wanted to say that the people managing the water stops were amazing … every single stop had people communicating “Gatorade” or “water” and they were very supportive. Definitely a special group!”

“I have to say it was truly a good day. I loved all of the support at the water stops. I’ve been running the race for a few years, and I think that you had the best volunteer support ever at the stops. The weather was good, and you did a good job of putting on the race. I almost didn’t come due to gas prices, but I’m glad that I did. I love your race – great job! See you next year!”

The Detroit Marathon

The Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon is a 26.2 mile race run every October in Detroit, Michigan. The marathon course is international, crossing the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel between Detroit, Michigan, USA and Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Due to its use of the tunnel, the race is able to boast that it has the only official underwater international mile in the world, as the tunnel runs underneath the Detroit River. The race is a USATF-certified, Boston-qualifier course.

Apart from the main event, there is also a half-marathon, a relay and a 5km fun run.

The 2009 overall winner was Nicholas Stanko (Haslett, Michigan) in a time of 2:20:22. The female winner was Sarah Plaxton (Highland, Michigan), who achieved a time of 2:57:09. The first prize for the marathon was $5,000.

2009′s field was a record 19,326 runners who participated.

In 2009, three men died participating in the half marathon race.

In 2010, there was musical entertainment, such as the Detroit Party Marching Band at the half mile station.

The Chicago Marathon

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon (formerly the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon) is a major marathon held yearly in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Alongside the Boston, New York, London and Berlin Marathons, it is one of the five World Marathon Majors. The October 10, 2010 running was the 33rd Anniversary running of the race. It has been run every year since the September 25, 1977 running of the first race under the original name the Mayor Daley Marathon drew a field of 4200 runners. It is among the fastest growing marathon road races in the world, due in part to its largely fast and flat course which facilitates the pursuit of personal records and world record performances. The race has achieved its elite status among marathons by developing relationship with sponsors who provide prize money to lure elite runners who have produced American and world record performances.

There is no qualifying time to participate in the Chicago Marathon, but only runners who finish within 6½ hours are officially timed. The race is limited to 45,000 runners on a first-come, first-served basis. Although the race has limited registration, exceptions include elite runners and charity representatives. Increasingly, local (e.g., Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital), national (e.g., American Cancer Society) and global (e.g., Global Business Assist, British Red Cross, Asha for Education, World Vision) charities and humanitarian organizations encourage sponsored participation in the event as a means of fund raising.

Tip: Before you run this marathon you may want to take a ride through the course with a bike to get familiar with the more difficult sections.

The 2008 marathon featured a new sponsor name in Bank of America, (as Bank of America acquired LaSalle Bank in 2007).[8] The 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon took place on Sunday, October 10, 2010. Registration for the 2010 race opened to the general public on February 1.

Download the Course Map Click Here

The Boston Marathon Course Map & Info

The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots’ Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics,[1] the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world’s best-known road racing events. It is one of five World Marathon Majors.

Today, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) manages this event. Amateur and professional runners from all over the world compete in the Boston Marathon each year, braving the hilly New England terrain and varying weather to take part in the race.

The event attracts an average of about 20,000 registered participants each year. In the 100th running of the Boston Marathon in 1996, the number of participants reached 38,000

Qualifying

The Boston marathon is open to all runners, male and female, from any nation, but they must meet certain qualifying standards.[6] To qualify, a runner must first complete a standard marathon course certified by a national governing body affiliated with the International Association of Athletics Federations within a certain period of time before the date of the desired Boston Marathon (usually within approximately 18 months prior). Prospective runners in the age range of 18–34 must run a time of no more than 3:10:59 (3 hours and 10 minutes) if male, or 3:40:59 (3 hours and 40 minutes) if female; the qualifying time is adjusted upward as age increases. For example, a 40–44 year old male can still qualify with a time of 3:20:59. An exception to the qualification requirement is awarded to 1,250 runners who raise a pre-determined level of funds for officially designated local charities. In addition, official overseas travel partners of the Boston Marathon have some places for runners from overseas who lack qualifying times but purchase a relatively high-priced package that includes travel and a guaranteed entry.[citation needed]

For many marathoners to qualify for Boston (to “BQ”) is a goal and achievement in itself, making it a “people’s Olympic event.”

In the 1980s and 1990s, membership in USA Track & Field was required of all runners, but this requirement has been eliminated.

Race day

The race has traditionally been held on Patriots’ Day, a state holiday in Massachusetts, and until 1969 that was every April 19, whichever day of the week that fell on. Starting in 1969, the holiday was observed on the third Monday in April and so the marathon date was correspondingly fixed to that Monday, often referred to by local residents as “Marathon Monday.”

Start time

Through 2005, the race began at noon, (wheelchair race began at 11:25 a.m., and the elite women at 11:31 a.m.) at the official starting point in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Beginning with the 2006 event, the race has used a staggered “wave start,” where (in 2006) top seeded runners (the elite men’s group) and a first batch of up to 10,000 runners started at noon, with a second group starting at 12:30. Beginning in 2007 the starting times for the race were moved to 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. for the two wave starts, with the wheelchair and elite women’s divisions starting at 9:25 a.m. and 9:35 a.m., respectively. These changes were made primarily because of the runners’ desire to begin the race earlier to take advantage of cooler temperatures, though another added benefit is that many roads along the course can reopen to traffic earlier in the day.

The course

The course runs through 26.22 miles (42.195 km) of winding roads, following Route 135, Route 16, Route 30 and city streets into the center of Boston, where the official finish line is located at Copley Square, alongside the Boston Public Library. For this reason, the MBTA suspends service to the Copley Square stop for the day, and runs increased service to the general area. The race runs through eight Massachusetts cities and towns: Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and Boston.

The Boston Marathon is considered to be one of the more difficult marathon courses because of the Newton hills, which culminate in Heartbreak Hill near Boston College. While the three hills on Commonwealth Avenue (Route 30) are better known, a preceding hill on Washington Street (Route 16), climbing from the Charles River crossing at 16 miles, is regarded by Dave McGillivray, the 2007 race director, as the course’s most difficult challenge.This hill, which follows a 150 foot drop over the course of one half-mile, forces many lesser-trained runners to a walking pace.

Download Course Map Click Here

Heartbreak Hill

Heartbreak Hill is an ascent over 0.4 mile (600 m) of the Boston Marathon course, between the 20 and 21 mile marks, in the vicinity of Boston College. It is the last of four “Newton hills”, which begin at the 16 mile mark. The Newton hills confound contestants (out of proportion to their modest elevation gain) by forcing a late climb after the downhill trend of the race to that point. Heartbreak Hill itself rises only 88 vertical feet (27 m), from an elevation of 148 feet at the bottom to an elevation of 236 feet at the top, but is positioned at a point on a marathon course where muscle glycogen stores are likely to be depleted—a phenomenon referred to by marathoners as “hitting the wall”.

Where the name Heartbreak Hill came from.

The nickname “Heartbreak Hill” originated with an event in the 1936 race. On this stretch, defending champion John A. Kelley caught race leader Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, giving Brown a consolatory pat on the shoulder as he passed. His competitive drive apparently stoked by this gesture, Tarzan Brown rallied, pulled away from Kelley, and went on to win—in the words of Boston Globe reporter Jerry Nason, “breaking Kelley’s heart.”

The Atlanta Marathon

The Atlanta Marathon is an annual 26.2 miles (42.2 km) marathon held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The first running was in 1963 at the North Fulton Golf Course, making it the oldest in the Southeast. The following year, the Atlanta Track Club was formed, and has run the event every year since. In 1966, Tim Singleton became director, and later founded the Peachtree Road Race. Fred Lebow ran in the marathon in the late 1960s, and later founded the New York Marathon in 1970. It has been held on Thanksgiving since 1981 and is believed to be the longest of several Turkey Trots held on Thanksgiving across the country.

Route


Click here to download Route Map

From 1964 until 1980, the race had its beginning, middle, and end at the The Westminster Schools campus, twice running a loop up Nancy Creek Road.

Originally run on the weekend before Christmas, it was changed in the mid-1970s to be after the holiday. This was done in conjunction with the Peach Bowl, a bowl game held every year around New Year’s Day, and it was renamed the Peach Bowl Marathon.

In 1981 the race was moved to downtown Atlanta, and the date changed to Thanksgiving in late November. This move doubled participation in the race, renamed back as the Atlanta Marathon. In 1981 and 1982 it ended in Decatur.

From 1983 to 1991, the marathon began in the suburban metro Atlanta town of Lithonia and going east through Stone Mountain, with the half-marathon beginning at the halfway point in Clarkston, and both ending in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park after traversing Decatur, and the Atlanta neighborhoods of Inman Park and Virginia-Highland. This route was along the CSX railroad tracks, thus it was much less hilly than previous routes. On one occasion the race was held for a train, on another the train was held for the race.

From 1992 to 1996, it began and ended near Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, running north on Piedmont Road (Georgia 237) to Peachtree Street, where it headed north and then back south. The start of the half-marathon was near the Chamblee MARTA subway station.

Since 1997, about 90% is run along the same course used for the 1996 Summer Olympics, ending near Turner Field (built as Centennial Olympic Stadium in the A-FC stadium parking lot). Since 2008, the event has been sponsored by The Weather Channel.

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