Madeline Island Marathon and Half Marathon
La Pointe, WI
Saturday May 20, 2023
8:30 a.m. Start Time
2022 PRE-RACE EMAIL (sent 5/16/22) CLICK HERE TO READ
La Pointe, WI
Saturday May 20, 2023
8:30 a.m. Start Time
2022 PRE-RACE EMAIL (sent 5/16/22) CLICK HERE TO READ
$105 Full Marathon (limited to 150 registrants)/$90 Half Marathon (limited to 300 registrants) (Plus minimal registration processing fee)
Registration will open in September.
Registration includes a long-sleeve tech shirt, custom finisher medal created by a local artisan and custom/personalized race number. The spectacular views are free!!! There is also a post-race party with live music and awards ceremony. You don't want to miss it!
*After fully completing your registration, you will receive a confirmation email from madelineislandmarathon@gmail.com. If you don’t receive this email, please make sure to check your spam filter and you will be able to search for your registration by clicking HERE.
Each year, a charity organization is selected in order to promote youth activity in the region. Our 2022 Charity is 4-H Can-Ski. They promote fun, fitness, safety and excellence in the lifelong sport of cross-country skiing. (Option to donate within registration.)
2022 Results
Marathon
Half Marathon
2019 Results
Marathon
Half Marathon
2018 Results
Marathon
Half Marathon
2017 Results
Marathon
Half Marathon
2019 Photos from Emerald Rue Film and Photography CLICK HERE
2018 Photos from Bemused Design and Photography: CLICK HERE
2017 Photos from Bemused Design and Photography: CLICK HERE
To read reviews of our race CLICK HERE
Volunteers: Want to volunteer and join our Event Crew? CLICK HERE to volunteer
Packet Pick-up
Runners packet pickup will be held at the event tent at Joni's Beach on Madeline Island.
Friday, May 19, 2023 from 4pm-8pm.
Saturday, race day, May 20, 2023 from 6:30am-8am.
Start Line/Finish Line
Both races start and finish in front of Joni’s Beach, just a few blocks from the La Pointe Ferry Landing.
Course Info
Both courses are USATF certified and are point-to-point with short out-and-back portions. The courses are mainly paved roadway with approximately 3 to 4 miles of gravel road. The courses will be well-marked, but are open to traffic and runners will be restricted to one side of the road. There will be volunteers and law enforcement at some intersections, but we recommend running single file and music devices are discouraged. Aid stations will be approximately every 2 to 3 miles and will have both water and Gatorade available at each station. Porta-potties will be available at the start/finish and at various points along the course.
Certification numbers:
Marathon #WI17014DM
Half Marathon #WI17013DM
The course time limit is 7 hours.
2022 Updated maps with water stop locations:
Marathon Course Map HERE
Half Marathon Course Map HERE
Gear Check
A gear check tent will be available at Joni’s Beach (the start/finish line).
Clear gear check bags are provided when you pick up bibs.
Getting to Madeline Island
Madeline Island is accessible by ferry from Bayfield, WI. The 25-minute ferry ride provides passenger, bike, and vehicle transportation to the island. For more information, including ferry rates and schedules, please visit www.madferry.com You must arrive early to find parking (if needed) and purchase tickets. Regular rates apply.
*See FAQ section below for detailed info on race day ferry.
Air Travel – The Duluth International Airport is approximately 95 miles from La Pointe, WI. Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is approximately 245 miles from La Pointe, WI.
Travel by Car – from the Twin Cities, it is approximately 5 hours to La Pointe via I-35 and state Hwy 13S/WI 13 Trunk S or 5 1/2 hours via I-35 and WI-77 E
Lodging
All participants are encouraged to stay on Madeline Island on Friday, May 19th to ensure arriving at the start line on time. The Island offers various lodging options including cabins, hotels, and camping. Click here for more information on cabins and hotels. For camping information, click here. You can also consider camping at our parks, either Big Bay Town Park or Big Bay State Park. There will be an early ferry on Sat, May 20 at 6:30am to Island, for those coming from mainland on race day. *Please see FAQ for more details regarding race day ferry.
Restaurants/Markets
There are several restaurants and two markets on Madeline Island. CLICK HERE for their hours on 2022 marathon weekend. Please bring anything you may need in particular as supplies/hours are limited on island.
Quick Links:
Registration
Registration Confirmation Search
FAQ’s
Can I transfer/sell my number to another person?
If you become injured, your training isn’t going as well as you’d like, or are no longer able to join us for the Madeline Island Marathon or Half Marathon, you may transfer your entry to another person for $10.00 + transaction fee (NOTE: The person you transfer the entry fee to will pay this fee). No transfers will be accepted after April 15, 2023.
IMPORTANT: This is the ONLY authorized way to transfer your entry to another person, running with someone else’s number is not only dangerous for you, but also is an extreme liability to the event – we want to keep putting on this race for many years!
Running under another person’s name is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification and jeopardize your participation in future events. Entry fees are non-refundable. If you choose to transfer your entry to another person, you are responsible for arranging payment for the entry with the person you are transferring it to. The new entrant will have to pay $10 (+fee) to register and complete the online transfer. No transfers after April 15, 2023.
Can I switch distances?
Yes, but you must do so by April 15, 2023. Those upgrading their races will be charged the difference in the race fees and a change fee of $10 will be assessed at the conclusion of the forms. No transfers/switches will be accepted after April 15, 2023.
*Will there be an early ferry boat from Bayfield to Madeline on race day? (this info from 2022 race/2023 pending info)
The Ferry Line will be running an early boat on the morning of the marathon (weather permitting). The early trip to the Island will be at 6:30am. (Their regular daily schedule will continue sometime thereafter; 2022 schedule is available on their website. www.madferry.com) The ferry ride is about 25 minutes long. Race starts at 8:30am sharp. Please also have a parking plan ready. Click here for a map that shows municipal free parking lots in Bayfield. This means you must be at the Ferry Landing early enough to find parking, buy your ferry ticket, and board the ferry. The ferry does not take reservations, it’s first-come, first served, so please give yourselves enough time. You can pre-purchase your ticket the night before, but that does not guarantee you passage on a specific trip Saturday morning – again, it’s first-come, first-served. Regular Rates Apply; visit madferry.com for rate info.
Where can I park and leave my car during the race?
Parking in Bayfield: CLICK HERE
Parking on Madeline Island: CLICK HERE
There are public parking lots a few blocks from the start/finish area
*Please note there is NO PARKING at the start/finish area.
Walking and biking is recommended on race day.
You may bring cars/bikes on the ferry for additional fee. Go to www.madferry.com for rates
What can I expect for temperatures?
The average lows for May are mid 40′s and the highs are in the low 60′s.
Can I run with an iPod or another music device?
The course is open to traffic. We strongly discourage impairing your ability to hear vehicles and instructions from volunteers, so just be aware of this if you choose to run with music. Keep in mind that on the marathon course, north end of the island may have spotty cell phone service.
Are dogs allowed on the race course?
We love our furry friends, but for the safety of all participants, please leave your running buddy at home for this race.
Are strollers and push-rim wheelchairs allowed on the course?
Safety is our highest priority. Both the marathon and half marathon courses are partially open to traffic, have gravel sections which can become muddy, and the marathon course has a 9-mile one-lane/shoulder out-and-back section. If you are interested in participating in the race pushing a stroller or using a push-rim wheelchair, please contact us at madelineislandmarathon@gmail.com to discuss how we can accommodate your request.
Is there a time limit on the course?
Yes. There is a 7-hour time limit.
When does registration close?
The marathon is limited to 150 registrants and the half marathon is limited to 300 registrants. In order to ensure receiving a custom race number, runners must be registered by April 15, 2023. We expect both races to fill in 2023.
Spectator Information
We encourage race-day spectators to please take the 7am ferry or later. Please allow runners to fill the earlier 6:30am ferry. For race day visit to Madeline Island, please walk on ferry. Biking is also recommended for spectating along course. Please limit driving on course. Driving on course is strongly discouraged.
Parking is available in Bayfield. Parking in Bayfield: CLICK HERE
You may choose to bring a bike over on the ferry (bike fees apply CLICK HERE for rate info) to be able to spectate from various spots on course. Bike Rentals are also available on Madeline Island at Motion to Go, downtown La Pointe.
Recommended Spectator Locations: FULL MARATHON ////// HALF MARATHON
We strongly discourage driving on the course to spectate.
Please visit madferry.com for ferry rates and schedule. Thank you!
