Races Marathon · Bar Harbor, USA
Mount Desert Island Marathon
Mount Desert Island Marathon is a hilly marathon in Bar Harbor, USA, held each October. A hilly point-to-point from Bar Harbor to Southwest Harbor past Somes Sound, with a sharp climb near mile 17 and a long gradual rise from mile 20 to 25. Cool autumn conditions, around 5-14C. Bar Harbor's hills change the plan itself: expect hill repetitions and long runs that rehearse the course's shape.
Page rebuilt 2026-09-30 · race facts not independently verified — confirm dates and entries on the official race site
When
October
every year
Course
hilly
Marathon
Conditions
Cool autumn conditions, around 5-14C.
Racing this course well
A hilly point-to-point from Bar Harbor to Southwest Harbor past Somes Sound, with a sharp climb near mile 17 and a long gradual rise from mile 20 to 25.
Bar Harbor's hills change the plan itself: expect hill repetitions and long runs that rehearse the course's shape.
Pick your goal for Bar Harbor
Pace charts, weekly structure and timelines for the most common marathon goals:
We don’t hold a confirmed date for this edition, so any countdown comes from the date you enter here.
Build your training around Mount Desert Island Marathon.
RunV works backwards from race day to today and rearranges the weeks when life interrupts. It does not adapt to this specific course — the pacing guidance above is where the course knowledge is.
Everything above stays free and complete — this is an optional next step, not a paywall.
Asked often
- When is the Mount Desert Island Marathon?
- It is held each October in Bar Harbor, USA. Check the official Mount Desert Island Marathon site for the exact date and entry windows.
- Is the Mount Desert Island Marathon course flat?
- A hilly point-to-point from Bar Harbor to Southwest Harbor past Somes Sound, with a sharp climb near mile 17 and a long gradual rise from mile 20 to 25.
- How should I train for the Mount Desert Island Marathon?
- Train specifically for Bar Harbor — terrain, conditions, goal pace — and let the plan flex around real life. That's exactly what RunV's engine does after every run you log.
Not sure what to target? Predict your marathon time from a recent race →
More marathon races
Build for Bar Harbor — around your actual life
RunV engineers your block backwards from race day in October — and rebuilds it every time training doesn't go to script.
