2027 Sugarloaf Marathon - May 16 Countdown

Q: How much does the Sugarloaf Marathon course drop?

Sugarloaf is a net-downhill point-to-point. The first 5 miles are flat and miles 5-10 roll with a short climb near mile 8, then the final 16 miles run gently downhill, losing roughly 980 feet to the finish. The overall net loss stays well below Boston's 1,500-foot limit, so your finish time counts toward Boston qualifying with no downhill adjustment.

Q: Where does the Sugarloaf Marathon start and finish?

The marathon starts at Cathedral Pines Campground in Eustis, ME, high in the western Maine mountains, and runs Route 27 down the Carrabassett Valley past the Bigelow Range and along the Carrabassett River before finishing in Kingfield. Because it is point-to-point, plan for the organizer's race-morning shuttle buses to the Eustis start.

Q: What is the time limit for the Sugarloaf Marathon?

The official course time limit is 6.5 hours (6 hours 30 minutes), which works out to roughly a 14:53 per mile average pace. Plan your splits with our pace calculator so you stay ahead of the cutoff on the rolling early miles.

Q: How do I register for the Sugarloaf Marathon?

Registration is handled online through RunSignUp and is first-come — the field is capped (about 1,500 runners) and has sold out well before race day in recent years, so register early. The 2026 marathon opened at $105 with prices rising as the field fills; English-language online registration is straightforward for international runners.

Q: What is the weather like for the Sugarloaf Marathon?

Mid-May in the Carrabassett Valley is typically cool and fresh — a race-morning low near 40°F (4°C) warming to a high around 62°F (17°C), with a mean near 50°F (10°C). It is prime fast-running weather; dress for a cold, high-elevation start in Eustis and shed layers once the descent begins. Late-spring greenery and mountain views frame the valley.

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Race Information

Race	2027 Sugarloaf Marathon - May 16
City	Carrabassett Valley
Date	2027-05-16 at 07:00
Field Size	~497 runners
Time Limit	6 hours 30 min
Cutoff pace	9:15/km
Timezone	America/New_York
Official Site	Sugarloaf Marathon
Registration	Register

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	10.6°C / 51°F
Humidity	80%
Wind	10.2 km/h
Rain Chance	44%
Typical Conditions	Cool, fresh mid-May morning in the western Maine mountains — ideal fast-running and BQ weather

What to Prepare: Mid-May in the Carrabassett Valley starts chilly at the 7:00 a.m. gun — a typical race-morning low near 40°F / 4°C climbing to a high around 62°F / 17°C. The Eustis start sits high in the mountains and can be cold and damp, so a throwaway long-sleeve or gloves you can shed once the long downhill begins is smart.

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 10.2 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	6.2°C	10.3°C	15.3°C
Dew point	1.7°C	6.9°C	12.3°C

Wet-day chance: 44% Runnability: 76/100

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

Course Profile

Course Type	Point-to-point
Elevation Gain	217m
Terrain	Road (Route 27 mountain valley highway and quiet rural roads, paved throughout)
Profile	A fast, net-downhill point-to-point that drops out of the western Maine mountains down the Carrabassett Valley. The course starts at Cathedral Pines Campground in Eustis and follows scenic Route 27 past the Bigelow Range and alongside the Carrabassett River, finishing in the village of Kingfield. The first 5 miles are relatively flat, miles 5-10 roll with a steady two-mile climb around mile 8, and then the famous final 16 miles run gently downhill, shedding roughly 980 feet to the finish. Overall the point-to-point loses well under Boston's 1,500-foot net-loss threshold, so the course incurs NO Boston-qualifying downhill adjustment and times count fully toward BQ. That long back-half descent, cool spring air and quiet mountain roads make Sugarloaf one of the highest-percentage Boston qualifiers in the country — about 30.3% of finishers qualified for Boston in 2025 (33.5% in 2024). It is Maine's oldest continually run marathon, framed by late-spring greenery and mountain views. USATF-certified.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2027 Sugarloaf Marathon - May 16

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Featured In

Best Marathons for a PR 2026 Easiest Boston Qualifying Marathons 2027 Most Scenic Marathon Courses in the World (2026) Best US Marathons 2026 Fastest Downhill Marathons USA

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2027 Sugarloaf Marathon and what time does it start?

The Sugarloaf Marathon is held on a Sunday in mid-May; the 2027 edition is expected around Sunday, May 16, 2027 (the official date is still listed as May 2027, to be confirmed). The full marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. ET at Cathedral Pines Campground in Eustis, ME, and finishes point-to-point in Kingfield. A 15K is held the same morning.

How much does the Sugarloaf Marathon course drop?

Sugarloaf is a net-downhill point-to-point. The first 5 miles are flat and miles 5-10 roll with a short climb near mile 8, then the final 16 miles run gently downhill, losing roughly 980 feet to the finish. The overall net loss stays well below Boston's 1,500-foot limit, so your finish time counts toward Boston qualifying with no downhill adjustment.

Is the Sugarloaf Marathon a good Boston qualifier?

Yes — Sugarloaf is one of the highest-percentage Boston qualifiers in the United States. It is a USATF-certified Boston Marathon Qualifier, and its long downhill back half plus cool mid-May mountain weather help runners run fast. About 30.3% of finishers qualified for Boston in 2025 (33.5% in 2024); rates dip in unusually warm years. Check your target with our Boston qualifying calculator.

Where does the Sugarloaf Marathon start and finish?

The marathon starts at Cathedral Pines Campground in Eustis, ME, high in the western Maine mountains, and runs Route 27 down the Carrabassett Valley past the Bigelow Range and along the Carrabassett River before finishing in Kingfield. Because it is point-to-point, plan for the organizer's race-morning shuttle buses to the Eustis start.

What is the time limit for the Sugarloaf Marathon?

The official course time limit is 6.5 hours (6 hours 30 minutes), which works out to roughly a 14:53 per mile average pace. Plan your splits with our pace calculator so you stay ahead of the cutoff on the rolling early miles.

How do I register for the Sugarloaf Marathon?

Registration is handled online through RunSignUp and is first-come — the field is capped (about 1,500 runners) and has sold out well before race day in recent years, so register early. The 2026 marathon opened at $105 with prices rising as the field fills; English-language online registration is straightforward for international runners.

What is the Sugarloaf Marathon course like — is it hard?

It is a fast course rather than a hard one, but the profile is unusual. The first 10 miles include rolling terrain and a two-mile climb near mile 8, so it pays to run those conservatively; the reward is a long, gently descending back 16 miles down the valley. Run the uphill controlled and let the downhill carry you — many runners set personal bests and BQ times here.

What is the weather like for the Sugarloaf Marathon?

Mid-May in the Carrabassett Valley is typically cool and fresh — a race-morning low near 40°F (4°C) warming to a high around 62°F (17°C), with a mean near 50°F (10°C). It is prime fast-running weather; dress for a cold, high-elevation start in Eustis and shed layers once the descent begins. Late-spring greenery and mountain views frame the valley.