BURLINGTON, Vt., Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RunVermont announces a redesigned course for the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay and the addition of a half marathon, both debuting Sunday, May 30, 2027.
Building on the race's reputation as one of the most accessible and welcoming in the country, the changes improve participant experience and allow for more ways to take part.
What's New for 2027:
- New half marathon: A new capped-field option lets participants take on a half marathon solo for the first time, while the 3-5 Person and 2 Person Relays, presented by Darn Tough Vermont, remain for those who'd rather complete a marathon as a team.
- No Amtrak delays: All at-grade Amtrak rail crossings are removed, eliminating the possibility of train-related delays affecting a participant's official time.
- A clearer course: Untwisting the prior figure-eight, two-loop layout removes crossover confusion and eases congestion.
- The same fast profile: The course keeps its net-zero elevation, now with an optimized wave start to reduce congestion.
"Our goal with these changes is simple: put the participant experience first," said Anthea Dexter-Cooper, Executive Director of RunVermont. "These changes are the result of listening to participant feedback and an extensive workshopping process. By making small tweaks to a beloved tour of Burlington, we are able to improve the participant experience and by adding a half marathon we are creating more avenues for participation."
"As title sponsor of the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, we're excited to welcome the new half marathon and open registration for 2027," said Heidi Stumpff, M&T Bank's Regional President in Vermont. "The addition of the half marathon creates new opportunities for more people to participate while bringing the community together, fueling the local economy and showcasing the best of Burlington."
Registration for the 2027 M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon, Half Marathon, and Relays opens Oct. 1, 2026, at 6:00 AM EDT.
About RunVermont
RunVermont was formed in 2004 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to foster a lifelong love for the sport of running through year-round race events, coaching services, and youth engagement programs. It is home to New England's third-largest marathon and Vermont's largest single-day sporting event, the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, which was founded in 1989 and was the first marathon in the United States to include a marathon relay in conjunction with a marathon. For more information, race over to www.runvermont.org.
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SOURCE RunVermont
