Sleeping Bear Marathon
Empire, United States of America · Saturday 3 October 2026
RoadFull Marathon
Held in Empire, Michigan, the Sleeping Bear Marathon takes runners through one of the Great Lakes region's most scenic areas. The race is situated near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, putting participants in a landscape where sandy shorelines meet forested inland terrain. The setting captures the natural character of northwest Michigan, with the kind of quiet, understated beauty that defines the region rather than the dramatic peaks or famous landmarks you might find elsewhere. The course itself is refreshingly straightforward. Runners will encounter terrain that stays mostly flat with gentle rolling sections, nothing that will catch you off guard or demand serious hill fitness. You're looking at elevation between 180 and 247 meters above sea level, which means the course moves gently up and down without any sustained climbing. The road surface keeps things consistent underfoot, and the relatively modest elevation changes make this a course where you can settle into a rhythm early and maintain it. For runners chasing a goal time or looking for a race where the terrain won't be a limiting factor, this marathon offers that kind of predictable, runnable course you can actually plan around.
Difficulty Calculator
h
:m
:s
Adjusted Time
3:52:33
Time difference: -7.5 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain0m
Elevation High247m
Elevation Low180m
Sleeping Bear Marathon 2026 Course Analysis
Sleeping Bear Marathon is a full marathon held in Empire, United States of America, scheduled for Saturday 3 October 2026. The course is run on road surface with 0m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 247m 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 180m to 247m above sea level — a 67m elevation range that makes it one of the flatter races available. Runners targeting a personal best will appreciate the minimal climbing.
Surface Type: Road
Sleeping Bear 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 Sleeping Bear Marathon?
Our difficulty rating for Sleeping Bear 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 Sleeping Bear 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