Madison Marathon

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Country:  United States
Website:  https://madisonmarathon.org/
2025 Marathon Date:  09/11/2025
2026 Marathon Date:  15/11/2026
Winning Time 2025: 2:23:14

% Sub-3s:  2-5%
# Sub-3s:  50-99
Total Runners: 1-3k

The Madison Marathon offers a distinctive tour of Wisconsin’s capital, blending lake views, university landmarks and neighbourhood variety into a route that both challenges and rewards. Rooted in a long-running local tradition, the event traces its modern identity to 1994, when it was revived as the Mad City Marathon after an earlier version of the race had ended in the 1980s. Today, the marathon begins and ends on Capitol Square, creating a dramatic start and finish framed by Madison’s iconic State Capitol. From there, the course unfolds across a city known for its natural beauty and vibrant cultural life.

The route carries runners through many of Madison’s most recognisable areas. Scenic stretches include views of the city’s lakes — a defining feature of local geography and a nod to the earlier marathon held from 1974 to 1983, which involved two laps around Lake Monona to Olin Park. The modern course continues this tradition of lake-focused running while broadening the experience to include diverse districts, including the University of Wisconsin campus, the UW Arboretum, Warner Park and major thoroughfares such as John Nolen Drive and East Washington Avenue. This variety creates a course that feels dynamic and distinctly Madison.

Terrain is a notable characteristic of the event. Unlike flatter Midwestern marathons, Madison’s course is known for its hills, offering a manageable but steady challenge throughout the race. These elevation shifts contribute to the marathon’s reputation as a Boston Marathon qualifier, appealing to runners who appreciate a route that balances scenery with effort. The start and finish at Capitol Square — at Mifflin Street and Wisconsin Avenue — further enhance the race-day atmosphere, drawing spectators into the city centre and anchoring the experience in Madison’s civic heart.

The event has undergone significant evolution across its history. The early marathon series (1974–1983) grew from 59 to 357 finishers before pausing, and the revived 1994 race reintroduced a city-spanning route under the Mad City Marathon name. Management transitioned to Madison Festivals in 2001, and the race reclaimed the Madison Marathon title in 2007. After a heat-related cancellation in 2012, organisers permanently moved the event to November, where it now occupies Veterans Day weekend. Certified by USA Track & Field, the Madison Marathon continues to evolve while honouring its deep local roots.