Maine Marathon

10/12/2026

Happy friendos! We're still so jazzed from the race 8 days ago 🥰

Thanks (Kevin Morris) for this great photo of our volunteers handing out medals at the finish line!

For photos from our volunteer photographers, you can find those here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/ME/Portland/MaineMarathon?raceEventDaysId=375455

Note - these photos are searchable *IF* your bib is visible, which is why we request that your bib be pinned to the front of your body. All photos taken are posted.

And you can find the link to the YT video of the finish line and some other photo links from our friends at Maine Running Photos: https://mainerunningphotos.com/photos/sunday-october-4-2026/

📸:

ID: Volunteers in neon pink shirts have medals for different distances on their arms to hand out to runners. One is placing a medal over the head of a runner while another hands a medal to a finisher.

10/10/2026

Maybe not his day, but a long way from a loss
Assistant Sports Editor Scott Martin didn’t reach his goal at the Maine Marathon, but the journey nonetheless was epic.

Scott Martin finishes the Maine Marathon on Sunday. He finished in 4 hours, 13 minutes, 58 seconds. (DEREK DAVIS/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

October 10, 2026
By SCOTT MARTIN Assistant Sports Editor
This is not the story I was planning to write.

When I pitched this series to Sports Editor Bill Stewart, my goal was take readers through my training and then tell the triumphant story of my race at the Maine Marathon. I would write about all the miles I crushed during the race, fighting through the pain to get to the finish line, where I would ring the PR bell and then finally, after 12 years of trying, erase my goal time of 3:47 off the chalkboard that hangs in my apartment.

Unfortunately, I don’t get to tell that story.

I ran my sixth marathon Sunday morning and the day did not go as planned. I missed every one of my time goals, nearly dropped out multiple times, and was left wondering if I ever want to do this again.

I won’t bury the lead anymore than I already have: I finished the race in 4 hours, 13 minutes, 58 seconds. I missed my ‘A’ goal by 26 minutes, my ‘B’ goal by 23 minutes and my ‘C’ goal by nearly 14 minutes.

It was not the race I was hoping for, but there was way too much good to focus only on the bad.

It was a stellar day to run a marathon. It was right around 50 degrees when the race started, ideal weather for a marathon. I chatted up friends and hung out with folks from my run group until the race started, then I went my own way, to run my own race.

I was cruising between 8:45 and 9 minutes per mile for the first 6 miles, taking in all the signs and the ocean views, and shouting out friends and high-fiving my sister Melissa when I saw her just after mile 6. I stopped at the porta potty during mile 7 and choked down my second gel (I literally choked on it for a second, yuk), and picked the pace back up in mile 8.

The hills started at mile 10, but I was feeling good, keeping my effort relaxed, and dropped down to 8:36-8:43 per mile until the half marathon.

I crossed the half in 1:57, a little slower than 3:47 pace, but right on target to give it a good effort on the way back to Portland.

My race took a turn in the 17th mile while climbing the hill at Tuttle Road in Cumberland. My right knee, the one that always gives me problems during marathons, started to really hurt as I approached that hill. Every swing of that leg, every time my foot hit the ground, my knee sang in agony. Before I started to limp, I told myself it was OK to walk to the top of that hill, then get back on pace at the top.

I never did get back on pace. The final 10-plus miles of the marathon was a slog. A slow, painful slow. I jogged when I could and walked when I felt I needed to. I considered dropping out every time I saw a medical tent, but didn’t allow myself to quit. That’s one thing I can take pride in.

I was about 2.5 miles from the finish line when I looked at my watch and saw 3:47 flip to 3:48. I knew long before that I wasn’t hitting that goal, but it still hurt to see the number pass so far from the end.

I jogged the final threetenths of a mile, determined not to walk across the finish line. I shook hands with my colleagues, waited in line for pizza that never came, then left with my sister and brother-in-law for a well deserved lunch at Wilson County Barbecue. I celebrated the day, not necessarily the race.

Ten months after signing up for this race and after 18 weeks of training, I’m ready for a bit of a break.

I’m looking forward to running again, but not right away. I’m going to recover, reflect and decide what’s next.

What won’t be next is another marathon. I don’t know if I’ll ever put myself through that again, but it’s too soon after the race to say, “No way.” After all, seven years ago after running the Chicago Marathon, I said that was it, yet here we are.

If I ever do decide to try again, I’ll remember how much fun I had this summer putting in the work, and do everything I can so it doesn’t physically feel the way it did on Sunday.

That will be a story I want to tell.

Scott Martin — (207) 791-6421 [email protected]

10/09/2026

It's our first from the 2026 event and what better way to celebrate it than with a first time marathon finish!

Congrats to 2026 Maine Marathon Ambassador Becca for completing her first marathon! She hit a distance PR at Back Cove Backyard Ultra over the summer, ran a number of other local races this year, AND teaches & coaches in the Richmond area 🤯 All the things for this lady!

As a reminder - photos are still being uploaded by our volunteer photographers and you can search your bib or name here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/ME/Portland/MaineMarathon?raceEventDaysId=375455

📸: Maine Running Photos

ID: Becca, a white woman, is running into the finish line with her arms raised in victory. Behind her, also in running clothes, clapping is her wife & 2019 Maine Marathon Ambassador, Rebecca.

10/08/2026

to Maine Island Trail Association taking a group photo ahead of the race.

Everyone is wondering where their photos are - they are in progress of being uploaded to RunSignUp. You will find those here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/ME/Portland/MaineMarathon?raceEventDaysId=375455

Note - these photos are searchable *IF* your bib is visible, which is why we request that your bib be pinned to the front of your body. All photos taken are posted.

And you can find the link to the YT video of the finish line and some other photo links from our friends at Maine Running Photos: https://mainerunningphotos.com/photos/sunday-october-4-2026/

📸:

ID: A group of people in running clothes or casual clothes in front of the start/finish arch. The majority of the folks have a shirt or hat on identifying that they're part of MITA.

10/05/2026

Happy friendos!

Wow, just wow! Yesterday was unbelievable - both half marathon records fell, perfect weather, so many first time half marathoners & marathoners, BQs, PRs, costumes, and some tiny training partners joining those final steps across the finish line!

Congratulations to everyone who joined us yesterday! We hope you had the race you wanted

10/05/2026

Maine Marathon held in Portland sees record number of runners
WMTW

Updated: 3:15 AM EDT Oct 5, 2026
Keenan Mills, Multimedia Journalist
PORTLAND, Maine —
Over 5,500 runners signed up to run in the Maine Marathon on Sunday in Portland, an all-time high in the history of the race.

The winner in the women's division was Betsy Burke, who finished with a time of 2:54:08. The Rye, New York, native said she didn't come into Sunday morning expecting the win.

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"I know the bike came up to me sometime in the teens and said something, and I was like 'What?' He said 'You're in the lead.' That's weird," recalled Burke.

Burke said that she had won races in the past, but it has been a while, and the training leading up to this year's race had a bit of a speed bump.

"I ran a lot less," said Burke. "I had foot surgery in January. So I do a lot of it on the Peloton now, but, you know, I still work hard."

The male winner was Dylan Stoltzfus, who came in at 2:23:59, a personal record, according to Stoltzfus.

For him, this year was a revenge tale. In last year's race, Stoltzfus came in fifth, and he was determined to get a better result in this year's race.

"Anyone who knows me knows I haven't shut up about this for like two months," answered Stoltzfus. "You never know who's going to show up. Just nightmares of someone who I have no chance against, but traditionally 2:25ish gets it done."

When he crossed the finish line, he was met by cheers and roars, some coming from those closest to him, including his roommates and his girlfriend.

"She puts up with so much. She makes me feel like a superhero," commented Stoltzfus. "Getting back to see her was all I could think about for the last five miles."

"He has spent the last year running," recalled his roommate Cole. "Even when he was watching a movie in the living room, he's on the foam roller just stretching out. Just saying 'I'm going to win the marathon, I'm going to win it.'"

According to race organizers, the marathon has a financial impact on the city of $3 million. They said that 54% of the runners come from out of state not only to run the course, but also to explore the city and state.

"When I first took over, we worked on our brand and our purpose, and we decided to be a destination race," stated Race Director Bob Dunfey. "And so we market throughout the country and the world."

According to Dunfey, the race also brought in an estimated $700,000 to $900,000 for around 100 charities, including the marathon's beneficiaries and individual nonprofits chosen by the runners.

Over 5,500 runners signed up to run in the Maine Marathon on Sunday in Portland, an all-time high in the history of the race.

10/05/2026

Thousands compete in 35th annual Maine Marathon
Over the last 29 years, the Maine Marathon has raised nearly $9 million for charity.
Author: NEWS CENTER Maine Staff
Published: 6:50 PM EDT October 4, 2026

PORTLAND, Maine — More than 5,500 competitors hit the ground running Sunday morning for the 35th Maine Community Bank Maine Marathon.

The track starts and finishes at Baxter Boulevard in Portland. Starting at 7:45 a.m. — or 6:30 a.m. for slower runners — racers travel through Falmouth, up to Yarmouth, and then back down to Portland.

In addition to the 26.2-mile race, this year's event also included a half marathon and a relay race.

Nathan Moyer of New Hampshire competed in the Maine Marathon on his journey to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

"The community here is awesome, the people are great," Moyer said. "Everyone's very supportive. Just go out and give it a shot."

Dylan Stoltzfus took home first place in the men's division and Betsy Burke won the women's. Half-marathon winners were JP Flavin and Megan O'Neil.

Since 1997, the Maine Marathon has raised nearly $9 million for charity, according to its website. In 2025 alone, the event donated $793,285.

More than 5,500 competitors hit the ground running — literally — at Sunday's Maine Marathon.

10/05/2026

MAINE MARATHON WINNERS SOAK IN ATMOSPHERE, EXPERIENCE
Mainer claims men’s marathon title, while other race winners hail from New York, Michigan.

October 5, 2026
By JIMMY JAMES Staff Writer - Portland Press Herald
PORTLAND — Dylan Stoltzfus made a heart shape with his hands as he made his way to the finish line.

It was evident how much winning the 35th annual Maine Community Bank Maine Marathon meant.

“I spent a really long time with an injury in college,” said Stoltzfus, 24, a Portland resident. “I thought I would never run again, never race again. This is the first big race I’ve ever won. It feels like years in the wilderness and this is like coming out.”

Stoltzfus finished with a time of 2 hours, 23 minutes, 59 seconds, easily out-distancing runnerup Steven Fritzsche of Kennebunk (2:31.12). Will Faden of Somerville, Massachusetts (2:32.02) placed third.

Betsy Burke, 42, of Rye, New York finished first in the women’s field with a time of 2:54.08.

This was her second time running the race.

“I was really surprised,” Burke said. “It was fun. I had people to run with and felt pretty good until about (mile) 21 and then just tried to turn my brain off.”

Burke’s husband and his family are from Blue Hill, so she visits Maine often.

“I felt really good in the hills, like (miles) 12 to 18, then started feeling much worse,” Burke said, laughing.

“But I felt good for a while and was like, ‘this is great,’ and then I knew I could just get to the end.”

Alyssa Carreau of Old Lyme, Connecticut (2:55.39) and Linnea Maynard of Portland (2:57.32) followed in second and third places, respectively.

On the half marathon side, winners JP Flavin and Megan O’Neil broke new ground.

As teammates who train out of Rochester, Michigan, not only was this the pair’s first time in Maine, but they earned course records in the men’s and women’s half marathon races.

“Oh my gosh, it’s gorgeous,” O’Neil said of Maine. “I’m from Michigan. All my friends are super jealous I got to go to Maine in October. … Beautiful day for running, perfect temperature, not too windy.”

O’Neil, 30, finished in 1:14.34. Her time was 32 seconds faster than Cliodhna O’Malley’s record-setting run last year.

Flavin, 28, finished with a time of 1:03.00, beating previous record holder Colin Cernik’s 2025 time by 1:39.

“I’m in the middle of preparing for (the) New York City Marathon, so it’s kind of more of a workout, but it was fun,” Flavin said. “It was (a) good group of guys to work with for 10 miles and I was going to pick it up the last 5K and got rolling down those hills. The crowd was awesome, running past everyone was so much fun, so it was a blast.”

Next to finish were two Massachusetts runners — Cameron Dickson from Jamaica Plain (1:03.30) in second place and Ned Farrington of Cohasset (1:03.48) in third.

Heather Gallant of Wayne (1:15.38) and Isabel Seay of Hanover, New Hampshire (1:16.28) joined O’Neil on the podium in second and third place, respectively.
https://www.pressherald.com/2026/10/04/maine-marathon-winners-soak-in-atmosphere-experience/

10/04/2026

What a day!

Thank you everyone for joining us!

Over 5,500 runners signed up to run in the Maine Marathon on Sunday in Portland, an all-time high in the history of the race. FULL STORY ⬇️

10/04/2026