Northeast Kingdom Marathon

Race registration

Is this race really FREE:

Yes! The race is totally free to register and participate.  This race was designed to support a community. 

Take advantage of a free entry fee and spend that money in town supporting Island Pond.  Tip generously, stay an extra night, visit our local shops and stores, donate to one of our local fundraisers. 

– you’ll get out of this race what you give –

While our race is free, all races come with inherent costs (chip timing, police, portolets, etc.).  When registering, you’ll have the opportunity to donate to help cover these costs!  Every penny that gets raised beyond covering costs will be donated back to the town of Island Pond.  

what if I decide not to participate or can’t make it:

Even though the race is free to register, races have inherent costs and we budget for every runner that registers.  If you can’t make it, please cancel your registration ASAP so we can budget accordingly. Using the confirmation email you received when registering, you can manually cancel or make changes to your registration.

If you need any further help canceling or making changes to your registration, please reach out directly to the race director ASAP @ nekmarathon@gmail.com.   

Please honor your registration.

is this course a Boston qualifier:

Yes.  This course is USATF-certified and a Boston qualifier.  Certification link – click HERE.

are you putting a cap on registration:

No.  We want to encourage a big crowd to attend in hopes of making a big economic impact for the Island Pond community.  

is there a registration Deadline:

September 8th 2024.

will there be day of registration:

No.  In order to plan for race numbers, we will not be accepting day of registrations.

where do I get my race packet (chip bib, etc.):

Race bibs can be picked up at:

Brighton Municipal Building 49 Mill St. Island Pond VT 05846.

Saturday 11-6pm – Sunday 6-8am

race day logistics

Will there be Aid Stations:

Since the race is FREE, formal aid stations will not be supplied and we ask that runners plan to be self sufficient.  There will be water at the 4, 10, 13.1, 17, 23 and 26.2 mile markers. That being said, we encourage family members and friends to set up pop-up aid stations for their runners.  It is also likely that some informal aid stations by community members will pop up along the course.

We ask that anyone creating a pop-up aid station be conscious of residents property, leave no trace and be mindful of traffic, etc.

Will there be port-o-lets:

Yes.  A limited amount will be available at the start/finish and miles 5.5, 10, 13.1, 18.5, 23.

Is there parking at the race start:

There will be a parking area at the Brighton Town Ball Field – 435 Derby St. Island Pond VT 05846.  Volunteers will be present to direct traffic starting at 7am.  There will  be a shuttle service from this parking option.  For those who prefer to walk – it is a .6 mile downhill/flat walk to the start line.

There will be limited in town parking available.

The start/finish line is also less than a 2 minute walk from two of our lodging options.  

Will there be a gear check:

Yes.  Runners may check one small/reasonably sized bag at the gear check tent at the start line.  Runners will be given a tag and must have the tag to retrieve their bag post race.

Brighton Recreation is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. 

will I receive a medal:

If you’d like.  In the spirit of the race runners are encouraged to purchase a hand crafted medal from a local artisan on the race registration page.  

will I receive a race shirt:

same as above

is there a course time limit:

Yes.  The marathon has a course time limit of 6 hours.  

The half marathon has a time limit of 6 hours. 

can a friend run with me:

No.  We will only allow registered runners with a bib to be on the race course. 

can I push a stroller or run with my dog:

No.  In order to protect participants safety, strollers and dogs are not permitted on the course.

can my friends/family wait along the course with fluids/fuel:

Yes! And we encourage it – have a support crew to help get you through the tough miles.  We ask that anyone who is on the race course to be safe, mind traffic, be respectful of residents property, and leave no trace.

History

Why Island Pond:

Island Pond, a small community of just under 800 residents, sits next to Island Pond Lake, and is nestled deep within the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.  

At it’s height in the late 1800’s – mid 1900’s, Island Pond was a booming railroad town serving as the midway point between Montreal and Portland, Maine for both commercial and passenger travel.  The community and all it’s services and amenities were built around the robust economy provided by the railroad.  

Due to political challenges, declining popularity in train travel, and advancement if locomotive technology, by the late 1960s Island Pond saw the decline and eventual demise of it’s railroad industry and subsequent closures of it’s vital businesses. 

The community of Island Pond has shown resilience and has since marketed itself as an outdoor recreational hotspot and basecamp for the surrounding region. However, with a declining population and a HUD-designated Low/Moderate-Income zone label, supporting the area has never been more important.Brigh