About Maple Leaf Half-Marathon and Kotler 5K — what makes it special
ABOUT THE RACE
A day you'll remember, long past the finish line.
A half marathon that cuts across the Vermont landscape.
It starts downtown and loops back through country roads between picturesque villages and farms.
At this time of year, Vermont's fall foliage is just beginning to turn.
The road to your own record
Picture the course in advance and find the pace that fits you.
When the city cheers
Streets lined with cheers, runners all around. You'll be part of that scene.
The trip that follows the run
Take it slow with the finish still in you, and meet the city all over again.
Maple Leaf Half-Marathon and Kotler 5K runner reviews and race reports
Stories from runners who've been there.
From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.
Race reports: 2
SunnyRan in 2024 · Finish time 3:20:47
“But I finished it. I was not dead last, And I picked up state 48.”
At the Vermont Maple Leaf half marathon, an early wrong turn drained the runner, and forgetting food made the second half tough. Tired legs on the hills didn't prevent a 3 hour 20 minute 47 second finish, completing a half marathon in their 48th U.S. state.
“The race was very challenging, yet I had a fun time.”
At the Vermont Maple Leaf half marathon, the runner raced with their daughter, saving energy by walking uphills and running downhills. Despite many hills, steady progress brought a 3 hour 14 minute 25 second finish, ahead of the 3 hour 15 minute goal.
We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.
See it on video, feel it through their stories.
Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.
Maple Leaf Half Marathon, Manchester Center, VT, 9/12/2026
No train/bus service to Manchester Center; nearest Amtrak options (Rutland VT or Saratoga Springs NY) are over an hour's drive away
Start/finish at Manchester Parks and Recreation Center, 340 Recreation Park Road, Manchester Center, VT. Course runs out along backcountry roads to VT Route 7 and back.
Rural Vermont venue with no practical public transit; car required.
Manchester Center, VT is a small rural Vermont town with no public transit card system relevant to this race. Standard car access and parking apply; cash/card is fine for any local purchases.
