2026 Erie Marathon - Sep 13

2026 Erie Marathon - Sep 13 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Erie Marathon - Sep 13
CityErie
Date2026-09-13 at 07:00
Field Size~1,105 runners
Time Limit6 hours
Cutoff pace8:32/km
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
Official SiteErie Runners Club
RegistrationRegister · 100 USD

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature18.5°C / 65°F
Humidity73%
Wind12.2 km/h
Rain Chance44%
Typical ConditionsCool, breezy early-September Lake Erie morning — fast, comfortable BQ and PR weather

What to Prepare: Mid-September on Presque Isle starts cool, with a typical 7 a.m. start near 60°F / 16°C climbing to a high around 73°F / 23°C. The lake keeps mornings mild but the open peninsula can be breezy on the exposed stretches, so a thin throwaway layer for the first loop works well and the flat course rewards even pacing over a fast start.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 12.2 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

Cooler Typical Warmer
Temperature 14.3°C 18.8°C 22.1°C
Dew point 8.5°C 13.4°C 18.1°C
Wet-day chance: 44% Runnability: 73/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course TypeTwo-loop (out-and-back loops)
Elevation Gain25m
TerrainRoad (paved park roads on a flat lakeside peninsula, fully closed to traffic)
ProfileOne of the flattest and fastest marathons in the United States. The course runs two loops entirely inside Presque Isle State Park — a sandy peninsula curving into Lake Erie — starting and finishing at the Beach 1 / Erie Runners Club pavilion and using the park's old lake road and main road, with the shoreline and beaches in view much of the way. Total elevation gain is only about 84 feet (25 m) across the full 26.2 miles, with barely 10 feet between the high and low points, so there is no meaningful climb anywhere and no Boston-qualifying downhill adjustment to worry about. That dead-flat profile, the cool lake-effect September air, and a small, focused field make Erie a renowned Boston-qualifier and PR machine: about 32.6% of finishers qualified for Boston in 2025 (38.9% in 2024) — among the highest BQ rates of any marathon in the country. USATF-certified.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Erie Marathon - Sep 13

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Featured In

Best Marathons for a PR 2026 Easiest Boston Qualifying Marathons 2027 Flattest Marathons 2026 Best Fall Marathons in 2026 (Sep-Nov) Best US Marathons 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Erie Marathon and what time does it start?

The 2026 Erie Marathon at Presque Isle is on Sunday, September 13, 2026, with the full marathon starting at 7:00 a.m. ET at the Beach 1 / Erie Runners Club pavilion inside Presque Isle State Park. The early-September date is timed so finishers can chase a qualifying time near the close of the Boston Marathon qualifying window.

How flat is the Erie Marathon course?

Extremely flat — it is one of the flattest marathons in the US. The two-loop course inside Presque Isle State Park has only about 84 feet (25 m) of total elevation gain over 26.2 miles, with barely 10 feet between the highest and lowest points. There are no real hills, and because it is flat rather than net-downhill there is no Boston-qualifying downhill adjustment — your time counts in full.

Is the Erie Marathon a good Boston qualifier?

It is one of the best in the country. Erie is a USATF-certified Boston Marathon Qualifier, and its flat course plus cool lake-effect weather produce a remarkably high qualifying rate: about 32.6% of finishers qualified for Boston in 2025 (38.9% in 2024) — among the highest BQ percentages of any US marathon. Check your target time with our Boston qualifying calculator.

What is the time limit for the Erie Marathon?

The official time limit is 6 hours, which works out to roughly a 13:44 per mile average pace. Roads begin reopening to traffic during the second loop, so runners off that pace are moved onto the park's all-purpose paved trail to finish. Plan your splits with our pace calculator to stay ahead of the cutoff on this fast course.

How do I register for the Erie Marathon and does it sell out?

Registration is handled through RunSignUp, with an early entry fee of about $100 that rises as the date nears. The all-volunteer race is capped at 2,000 entrants and regularly sells out months in advance, so register early. English-language online registration is straightforward for international runners.

What is the course like and where does it start and finish?

The marathon runs two loops entirely inside Presque Isle State Park, a sandy peninsula jutting into Lake Erie, starting and finishing at the Beach 1 / Erie Runners Club pavilion. It uses the park's old lake road and main road, with beaches, marshes and the Lake Erie shoreline alongside much of the route. The roads are closed to traffic for the race, and the flat, scenic, repeating loop makes pacing simple.

What is the weather like for the Erie Marathon?

Mid-September on Lake Erie is typically cool and comfortable — a 7 a.m. start near 60°F (16°C) warming to a high around 73°F (23°C). The lake moderates the temperature and keeps mornings mild, though the open peninsula can be breezy on exposed stretches. It is excellent fast-running weather; dress light and bring a throwaway layer for the start.

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