calendar icon Nov 4, 2024

Marathon Details - Caribou Marathon (USA/ME)

North America Marathons > USA > ME > Caribou > Caribou Marathon (USA/ME)

Caribou Marathon (USA/ME)

Caribou Marathon (USA/ME) & Half Marathon, Marathon Relay

location icon Caribou, ME USA

calendar icon September 19, 2021 - CANCELLED

calendar icon http://www.runsignup.com/Race/Events/ME/Caribou/CaribouMarathon

new icon News  

Marathon Results

By Year: 2019   2018   2017   2016   Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

Officially the north-eastern-most certified marathon & half marathon in the US.

*NEW* this year. The first year's course was pretty challenging! We've made this one a tad less hilly! It won't be the easiest marathon you have ever done, but it will be filled with spectators and volunteers cheering you along!

Come see beautiful Aroostook County ("the county") and experience a professional BQ qualifier with small town flavor.

Cash prizes for top 3.

Contact Information

Name: chris bernier
Address: 55 Bennett Drive
Caribou, Maine, 04736
Phone Number:  6038015757
Email: Email the organizers

Race Organizer

Not flat & fast, but flatter & faster next year! (10/31/16)


The Caribou Races will feature a new course in 2017!
Last year's course was very challenging...and though we have had nothing but good reviews, we're going to change it up to cater to more ability levels. We want you to come back, again and again! The course will be scenic with rolling hills. Spectators will be everywhere, as will volunteers! This is a small town race with a lot of heart. You'll feel as though the whole city has come to cheer you on (and really...the whole city is out there!) Good food, sweet shirts, medals to remember. We hope you enjoy our race, our people, and our city!

Runner Reviews (3)

Course Rating Course 4.0 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.7 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.7 
 
 
Number of comments: 3


 

B. P. from Atlanta, GA (9/27/2019)
"Well-run small marathon" (about: 2019)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Caribou Marathon (USA/ME)
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 2


Race organizers have put together a small-town marathon that punches above its weight class.

The course is gently rolling hills with about 1100' of grade change, though the second half (after the half marathoners have split off to finish) is sparsely attended and not very exciting - an out and back along a section of rural highway still open to traffic, save for a 2' wide section on one side that is coned off, and permanent enough that has DOT road signs identifying the marathon mile markers.)

The swag is abundant, post race food (chicken stew, a selection of beer, ice cream, in addition to the usual bars, cookies, and packaged fare) was good. The race medal was wood, and my age group award was a matted race print, a pair of slipper socks and a 5# bag of potatoes. Overall winners of both the full and half- distances also collect cash awards. Race photos were free and abundant, though runners will have to locate themselves from the thousand or so images posted on Facebook.

The dozen on-course aid stations seemed frequent enough and more than the expected number had port-o-lets and gels, though they had significant problems getting the Gatorade mixed correctly. Of those I tried, I recall two stations were weak, two had Gatorade sludge in the cups, one had some sparkling drink (Nuun?) that decidedly was not Gatorade, and two had only water when I asked for the sports drink. Back of the pack pacers for the half marathon reported that some of the hydration stations were depleted or packed up by the time they got there.

Accommodations were good, access was easier than expected (Flying into tiny, nearby Presque Isle did NOT cost an arm and a leg, though it did require a change of planes.)

All in all, I'd give it a B-... they'll move up to a B+ if they can fix the hydration issues. It's a GREAT choice to check off Maine without the crazy topography elsewhere in the state.

 

J. S. from Portland, Maine (9/18/2017)
"You will not find a better small town marathon" (about: 2017)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Caribou Marathon (USA/ME)
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Went up to the 'county' for a last minute try at a Boston Qualifier. While the race was small you couldn't ask for better organization and support. I'm not 100% sure but I think the entire town of Caribou came out to support the runners. The first half is very hilly, with a short 3 mile loop around the town followed by a trip out into the rolling hills. The views really show you what Northern Maine is all about, and you rarely passed a house without it's residents out on the lawn cheering, playing music, and offering support. There was water every two miles, and electrolyte drinks and energy gells every 4. The second half of the marathon gets a bit quieter, but the course flattens a bit. The course was as well marked as you could ask for. All in all I was blown away at how well this race was put on. If you enjoy smalltown marathons and don't mind a few hills, get up to Caribou in 2018.

 

D. M. from Maine (9/22/2016)
"Fantastic Race!" (about: 2016)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Caribou Marathon (USA/ME)
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


It is hard to believe this was the first Marathon in Caribou. The organization was excellent! From the expo all the way through to the awards this race had a real down home feel to it. The course was beautiful and challenging. The crowd support was great....it seemed like the whole town came out for the event. I have run many marathons and the shirts and Goody bag were top shelf.


 
 
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