North Country Trail Marathon
Manistee National Forest, United States of America · Saturday 29 August 2026
RoadFull Marathon
Held in Michigan's Manistee National Forest, this late-summer marathon takes place in a region defined by dense woodland and the quiet beauty of the Lower Peninsula. The forest setting offers shade and a sense of isolation from urban areas, with the landscape shaped by the natural corridors and timber stands typical of Michigan's interior. Runners will experience the kind of peaceful, rural backdrop that characterizes much of the national forest system, where the primary sounds are often just feet on pavement and birdsong. The course itself is refreshingly straightforward. With virtually no elevation change across the full distance, this is as close to a true flat marathon as you'll find, making it an ideal option if you're chasing a personal best or simply want to focus on pacing without worrying about climbing. The road surface provides consistent, predictable footing throughout, and the forest canopy along much of the route offers natural protection from the summer sun. Runners should expect steady conditions underfoot and a course that rewards consistent effort rather than tactical climbing or descending. The lack of significant elevation means you can commit to a rhythm early and hold it, which is both the appeal and the demand of a pancake-flat forest marathon in August heat.
Difficulty Calculator
h
:m
:s
Adjusted Time
3:52:32
Time difference: -7.5 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain0m
Elevation High0m
Elevation Low0m
North Country Trail Marathon 2026 Course Analysis
North Country Trail Marathon is a full marathon held in Manistee National Forest, United States of America, scheduled for Saturday 29 August 2026. The course is run on road surface with 0m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 0m above sea level.
Elevation Profile
This is a very flat course with only 0m of total elevation gain across the full distance. The course ranges from 0m to 0m above sea level — a 0m elevation range that makes it one of the flatter races available. Runners targeting a personal best will appreciate the minimal climbing.
Surface Type: Road
North Country Trail Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for marathon running. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for runners targeting a personal best time.
How Difficult Is North Country Trail Marathon?
Our difficulty rating for North Country Trail Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare North Country Trail Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
Other Marathons in United States of America
Yuengling Shamrock Marathon
Virginia Beach, United States of America
Road82m gainMar 2025
Charlottesville Marathon
Charlottesville, United States of America
Road0m gainApr 2025
Martian Invasion of Races
Dearborn, United States of America
Road119m gainApr 2025
Wenatchee Marathon
Wenatchee, United States of America
Road0m gainApr 2025
Eisenhower Marathon
Abilene, United States of America
Road133m gainApr 2025