Millinocket Marathon & Half

04/20/2026

04/08/2026

Check out the Season 3 premiere of 'Borealis', Maine Public's New England Regional Emmy-winning outdoors and environmental program, hosted by our friend Aislinn Sarnacki - Author & Hiking Guide! She takes you on a fun adventure through Maine’s winter wonderland, exploring the quirky fishing villages along the rivers of the mid-coast area, running a unique marathon in the Town of Millinocket, Maine (9:50-17:20), and learning about a collaborative effort to save an endangered rabbit species. And, new to this season, Aislinn will take you along on a new hike! This week, she’ll take you to the breathtaking views from the top of Great Pond Mountain in Orland. Enjoy!

Smelting, the Millinocket Marathon, cottontail rabbit restoration, and hiking Great Pond Mountain

02/14/2026

Reg is OPEN for our big sister race! 🤩

Dear Friends,

This is the quickest of messages to let you know that registration is now open for the 2026 MDI Marathon, Half & Relay!

Race day is scheduled for Sunday, October 18th.

👉 Don't miss out on the extra special introductory entry fee, available through the end of the day (11:59PM-ET) on Monday, 2/16.

Sign up HERE: reg.runmdi.org

Be sure to confirm your registration by searching the entrants list: entrants.runmdi.org

An important note regarding deferrals: If you deferred your entry from last year, please keep an eye on your inbox for an email from ZippyReg that will be sent within the next week with instructions to claim your 2026 entry using a special registration code. *[Sent 2/19/26 at approximately 11:10am.]* Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email and your name will appear on the list of confirmed entrants. The deadline to sign up with a deferred entry is 5/1.

We hope to see you in October!

Sincerely,
the folks at Run MDI

🌲🦞🌊🍁 runmdi.org



📷: Kevin Morris Photographer

01/29/2026

Our friends at Cape Elizabeth Mid-Winter 10 Mile Classic are looking for some volunteers this Sunday!

If you have a couple of hours and would like to help out, please follow the link located in their post.

Thursday 1/29 Race Update - we are monitoring the weather with local public safety, and all systems go, BUT need more traffic volunteers to fulfill our permit requirements. We're spreading the call far and wide for 30- 40 more volunteers for 1-2 hour shifts on Sunday. Please note, the timing on the website says 9:15-12:30 but the outside time is rolling depending on where you are on the course.

It's going to be cold and windy. It's going to be cool and inspiring. It's being done to keep people safe and healthy, and with the goal to continue a heartwarming community event. We know it's a lot to ask, and need everyone's help to keep runners safe.
https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/ME/CapeElizabeth/MTCmidwinterclassic
(photo: Blaine, one of the RDs, at the finish line wearing a bright green safety reflective vest)

01/02/2026

The marathon was started to bolster local businesses.
Details: https://www.wabi.tv/2026/01/01/millinocket-marathon-half-raises-over-15k-charitable-gifts/

01/01/2026

We couldn't run without our inspiring big sister race!

01/01/2026

Feel goods

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Organizers of the Millinocket Marathon & Half are pleased to announce $15,962.66 in charitable gifts to seventeen local groups and organizations.

The all-volunteer organizing committee representing the race is Gary Allen, David Goodrich, Marsha Hayes, Pattie McNally, and Mary Ropp.

First held in 2015 as a self-timed, glorified flash mob, the Millinocket Marathon & Half was started to bolster Maine’s most prominent mill town, which was devastated by the closing of its major employer, Great Northern Paper Company. Runner's World Magazine picked up the story shortly after and the feel-good, grassroots race quickly gained in popularity, attracting runners from all 50 states and beyond. A donation drive allowed both courses to be measured and certified to USATF standards, creating qualifying avenues for major marathons, including Boston and New York. Over the past decade, the Millinocket Marathon & Half has become a much-anticipated annual celebration of Maine’s Katahdin Region and life in the North Woods!

The Maine Sports Commission Maine Sports Commission estimates that the event contributes $2.5M-$3M annually to the local economy.

Unlike traditional races, there is no formal entry fee to run the Millinocket Marathon & Half. Instead, all participants are strongly encouraged to make a donation at the time of registration to support the bare minimum race expenses. These expenses include race timing, course certification, port-a-johns, bus transportation, and insurance. Anything raised above and beyond the essential race expenses is donated to local charitable groups and organizations.

***The Millinocket Marathon & Half is organized entirely by volunteers who are not compensated for their time. All donations go directly to supporting race expenses and the community.***

This year’s beneficiaries include: Anne Frank House Traveling Museum at Stearns; Boreal Theater; Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness; East Millinocket Public Library ; Friends of Baxter State Park; Fin & Feather Club of Maine – Youth Conservation Camp; Granite Street School; Donald V Henry American Legion Post 80; Millinocket Elks Lodge 1521; The Millinocket Historical Society; Millinocket Memorial Library; Northern Timber Cruisers - Bait Hole Trails Maintenance; Our Katahdin – Emergency Heating Fund; Penobscot Valley Humane Society; St. Martin's Food Pantry at Christ the Divine Mercy Parish; Stearns High School Athletic Boosters Organization; Unified Performing Arts.

Save the date: The 2026 Millinocket Marathon & Half is scheduled for Saturday, December 5th. For more information, please visit runmillinocket.com

📷: A&B Photography

12/31/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Organizers of the Millinocket Marathon & Half are pleased to announce $15,962.66 in charitable gifts to seventeen local groups and organizations.

The all-volunteer organizing committee representing the race is Gary Allen, David Goodrich, Marsha Hayes, Pattie McNally, and Mary Ropp.

First held in 2015 as a self-timed, glorified flash mob, the Millinocket Marathon & Half was started to bolster Maine’s most prominent mill town, which was devastated by the closing of its major employer, Great Northern Paper Company. Runner's World Magazine picked up the story shortly after and the feel-good, grassroots race quickly gained in popularity, attracting runners from all 50 states and beyond. A donation drive allowed both courses to be measured and certified to USATF standards, creating qualifying avenues for major marathons, including Boston and New York. Over the past decade, the Millinocket Marathon & Half has become a much-anticipated annual celebration of Maine’s Katahdin Region and life in the North Woods!

The Maine Sports Commission Maine Sports Commission estimates that the event contributes $2.5M-$3M annually to the local economy.

Unlike traditional races, there is no formal entry fee to run the Millinocket Marathon & Half. Instead, all participants are strongly encouraged to make a donation at the time of registration to support the bare minimum race expenses. These expenses include race timing, course certification, port-a-johns, bus transportation, and insurance. Anything raised above and beyond the essential race expenses is donated to local charitable groups and organizations.

***The Millinocket Marathon & Half is organized entirely by volunteers who are not compensated for their time. All donations go directly to supporting race expenses and the community.***

This year’s beneficiaries include: Anne Frank House Traveling Museum at Stearns; Boreal Theater; Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness; East Millinocket Public Library ; Friends of Baxter State Park; Fin & Feather Club of Maine – Youth Conservation Camp; Granite Street School; Donald V Henry American Legion Post 80; Millinocket Elks Lodge 1521; The Millinocket Historical Society; Millinocket Memorial Library; Northern Timber Cruisers - Bait Hole Trails Maintenance; Our Katahdin – Emergency Heating Fund; Penobscot Valley Humane Society; St. Martin's Food Pantry at Christ the Divine Mercy Parish; Stearns High School Athletic Boosters Organization; Unified Performing Arts.

Save the date: The 2026 Millinocket Marathon & Half is scheduled for Saturday, December 5th. For more information, please visit runmillinocket.com

📷: A&B Photography