Sugarloaf Marathon 

The Sugarloaf Marathon is an official qualifier for the Boston Marathon. We are certified by the United States Track and Field Association (USATF) as an official sanctioned event. Over the years the Sugarloaf Marathon has become extremely popular among running enthusiasts from around the world. With a strict limit of 2,000 participants, this race will sell out. In 2018, 30.1% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon making Sugarloaf the fastest course in Maine and one of the top in the nation.

Located in the mountains of Western Maine, the Sugarloaf Marathon follows scenic route 27 as it winds through the Bigelow Mountain range and follows the Carrabassett River. The course starts in the town of Eustis, travels through Carrabassett Valley and finishes in the town of Kingfield. The first 5 miles of the race are relatively flat, miles 5-10 consist of rolling hills with a steady two-mile climb at mile 8. The last 16 miles has a gradual decent with an elevation loss of 980 feet. Marathon runners continue to record personal-best times while racing Sugarloaf.

Marathon Start Address:
Cathedral Pines Campground
945 Arnold Trail
Eustis, ME 04936

Marathon Start Time:

7:00am – Runners will start at the same time. Walkers are not permitted for the marathon.

Sugarloaf 15K
The Sugarloaf 15K takes place on the last half of the marathon course, starting in Carrabassett Valley and following the Carrabassett River to the town of Kingfield. The course has an elevation loss of 300 feet from start to finish. The course stays on scenic Route 27 with no turns or intersections until the finish line.

15K Start Address:
Ayotte’s Country Store
1215 Carrabassett Drive
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947

15K Start Time:
7:30am – Runners and walkers will start at the same time. We ask that walkers start in the far back of the pack. 

Finish Location:
West Kingfield Road Ballfield
832 West Kingfield Road Kingfield, ME 04947

Bib & registration packet pickup will take place in the Sugarloaf Base Lodge Maple Room on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 3pm-7pm. 

Bib Pick up Address on May 11th: 

Sugarloaf Base Lodge
5012 Access Road 
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947

Unclaimed bibs on May 12th: 
Any unclaimed bibs will be brought to the race start locations Sunday morning. These are for registered racers only, we will not be handing out unclaimed bibs to unregistered racers wishing to run the race. Runners who miss bib pick up can get their race shirt at the finish line; we will not be mailing shirts. Race shirts are for runners who actually run the 2023 race, not deferred runners. 

• Marathon morning of bib pickup: 6:00am-6:30am
• 15K morning of bib pickup: 6:15am-7am

Please note: runners WILL NOT be able to switch races the morning of, this must be done in advance before April 15, 2024, or at bib pickup located in the Sugarloaf base lodge on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Shuttles to the Marathon & 15K starts are provided free of charge to racers only.  Multiple buses will be provided at each specified location and time below. This transportation is from the Sugarloaf Mountain Base Area to the race start locations, and from the finish line back to the Base Area.

Transportation from Finish
A shuttle will begin return trips from the finish line in Kingfield around 9am and will run as necessary or when full until the event concludes. Return to either the 15K start (Ayotte's) or the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel. 

Baggage Shuttles/Warming Buses
There will be baggage shuttles and warming buses at both the Marathon & 15K start locations. All bags being transported via baggage shuttle must have the colored bracelet attached to the outside. Bracelets will be provided at bib pick up. Bags will be transported to the finish line and organized by bracelet color. Please note runners must provide their own bags. 

Marathon Start Parking
Please Note: There is absolutely no parking at the Marathon start. Racers are encouraged to take the shuttles provided or coordinate their own drop-off. Walkers should especially coordinate their own drop-off as there is no designated shuttles for walkers.

15K Start Parking 
There will be designated free parking available at Sugarloaf for shuttle pick up. There is limited parking available at the Carrabassett Valley Airport which is located just north of the 15K start on the right.

Finish Line Parking
Paid parking available adjacent to the finish area; entrance first right south of the West Kingfield Rd. $5 FEE benefits the Doing Good in the Hood Fund which provides support services to Kingfield residents in need, including heating fuel, grocery assistance, money donations to the local food pantry, transportation to medical treatments and more. Paid parking will also be available at Country Mutt for $5. 

There is no parking permitted along Route 27 In Kingfield nor at local businesses such as Mainely Provisions, Sillanpaa's Trading Post, or Kingfield Woodsman. Vehicles left at these locations may be ticketed or towed at the owner's expense

The marathon course follows Route 27 from the town of Eustis to Kingfield; the 15K race starts in Carrabassett Valley. The road is open to vehicle traffic during the race so all runners must stay in the southbound (right-hand) lane while running. 

Aid Stations with water and Gatorade (mixed 1/2 strength) and first aid supplies will be available at all 17 water stops. The course has been recently been homologated and the exact mileage of each aid station will be listed soon. 

In the interest of safety, wheelchairs, baby joggers, bicycles, dogs, and car escorts are not permitted.

Please see the course map for the elevation profile. 

Support Vehicles Are Prohibited
For the safety of our runners, please notify friends and family members that support vehicles are not allowed during the race. Route 27 will remain open during the race; support vehicles add to the road congestion and create additional safety concerns for our racers. 

Designated Viewing Areas with Off-road Parking: 

• Village Of Stratton-7 miles north of the Sugarloaf Access Road
• Bottom of Access Road
• 15K Start- Ayottes Country Store
• Tufulio's Restaurant
• Route 27 Rest Area- 3 miles south of Ayotte's Country Store 
• Finish Area-Downtown Kingfield 

Finish Line Provisions
There will be food, and beverages First Aid provided at the finish line food tent for racers only. Food and beverages will not be available for non-racers to purchase at the food tent. 

There will be a food truck selling food near the finish line located in Jordan Lumber's parking lot. 

Split timing and finish results will be available online through All Sports Event Timing

Every Marathon & 15K racer that crosses the finish line will receive a commemorative finisher medal.

Awards will take place in the finish area as soon as each age category is filled. Custom awards will be presented to the top 3 finishers in each age category as well as the top 3 overall finishers for each race.

Award Categories

• 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd overall

Age Group Awards (Male & Female divisions)

0-29  |  30-34  |  35-39  |  40-44  |  46-49  |  50-54  |  55-59  |  60-64  |  65-69  |  70-74  |  75+

Overall Cash Prizes
Top male and female Marathon & 15K athletes will be removed from their age divisions

The area has many different lodging and dining options available. Due to the time of year, dining hours and offerings may be limited. Please plan ahead, most area restaurants stop serving by 9:00pm and do not open up in time for breakfast on race day. Local grocery stores close around 7:00pm.

Pasta Party 

Enjoy a fabulous dinner that will include a variety of pasta (with a gluten-free option) and a selection of vegetarian and meat sauces. We will also be featuring a unique selection of salads, garlic bread, and an assortment of delicious desserts.

All are welcome to join the Pasta party which will be held from 5:00-7:00PM on Saturday, May 11th in the Sugarloaf Base Lodge. You may add this meal during the online registration process, or you can come back to add it at a later time. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door; first come first served. Open to all racers, friends, and family. 

• Adults: $28 plus tax
• Children (Ages 3-12 years): $18 plus tax
• 2 & Under Free

45 North
Located in the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, serving breakfast and dinner daily. Enjoy custom-crafted cocktails and local beers in the pub, or sample the Chef-driven menu featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients creatively prepared to highlight the best of Maine's harvest.

Other area dining options may be available, please refer to the participant information sheet which will be available as the race gets closer.

Become a Sponsor

100% of sponsor proceeds from the Sugarloaf Marathon & 15K are donated directly to the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust. The trust is a private, nonprofit trust dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities that made up the Sugarloaf area. The trust provides financial assistance to organizations with nonprofit, tax-exempt status. Therefore, all sponsor donations raised are invested directly back into the region to support local school groups, sports teams and community organizations.

Learn more about the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust here. 

We couldn’t do this without the help of our generous community members. If you are interested in volunteering for the 2024 race, please email our volunteer organizer.