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Old Forge Marathon Weekend | September 10-13, 2026


  • Old Forge, New York United States (map)

Go the Distance at the Old Forge Marathon

Runners taking to the trail.

The Old Forge Marathon returns September 10–13, 2026, turning Old Forge and the surrounding Central Adirondacks into a four-day celebration of endurance sports.

Staged amid the forests, lakes, and back roads of the Adirondack Park, the event offers everything from a 5K to an Ultra 50K, plus multi-race challenges, cycling, paddling, and multisport competition. This is not simply a marathon with a few shorter distances tacked on.

The Old Forge Marathon has evolved into an Adirondack endurance weekend, with enough options for serious distance athletes, first-time racers, families, cyclists, and competitors who apparently look at one finish line and think, “Why stop there?”

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More than an Adirondack marathon.

Runners can choose the Ultra 50K, full 26.2-mile marathon, half marathon, 10K, or 5K. That range makes the weekend unusually accessible: one member of a group can tackle an ultra while another gets a first taste of racing with the 5K.

Runner on gravel/dirt trail.

The Old Forge Marathon offers a true ADK experience on mostly gravel/dirt roads

For those who prefer their suffering—er, sporting challenges—in multiples, the weekend also includes the ADKrazy, Super Loon, and Loon Challenge, which combine events for athletes interested in pushing beyond a single race.

The result is part race weekend, part gathering of people who like to test themselves outdoors. Expect running shoes, hydration packs, bikes, paddles, cowbells, tired legs, and plenty of post-race storytelling.

Old Forge turns into an Adirondack endurance playground.

The setting is a large part of the appeal. Old Forge sits at the western gateway to the Adirondack Park, surrounded by the Fulton Chain of Lakes and miles of forested terrain. By mid-September, mornings can arrive crisp and cool, with the first hints of fall beginning to work into the landscape.

That makes the Old Forge Marathon particularly well timed. Instead of racing through city streets lined with office buildings, competitors experience a landscape where evergreens, hardwood forests, open water, and Adirondack back roads set the scene.

It is also an excellent spectator weekend. Friends and family can cheer on their racer, then spend the rest of the day exploring Old Forge, nearby Inlet, the Fulton Chain, and the shops and restaurants along Route 28.

Bikes and boats join the Old Forge Marathon weekend.

Not everyone needs to run 26.2 miles to earn bragging rights.

The Ky-Tri brings paddling and cycling into the weekend, giving multisport athletes a distinctly Adirondack way to compete.

The Gravel Grinder, meanwhile, trades running shoes for two wheels and puts the region’s back-road terrain to work.

Together, those events make the weekend feel less like a conventional road race and more like a sampler of the ways people actually play outdoors in the Adirondacks.

Old Forge Marathon Gravel Grinder.

Switch it up with the Gravel Grinder.

ADK Taste pick.

For pure Adirondack character, the Ky-Tri deserves a look. Combining paddle power with cycling makes good use of the landscape rather than simply using the Adirondacks as a backdrop.

ADK Taste recommendation.

September weather in Old Forge can change quickly. Racers and spectators should pack layers and prepare for a cool morning even if the afternoon forecast looks mild. Anyone attempting one of the multi-event challenges should also study the weekend schedule carefully before arriving.

Old Forge Marathon 2026 details.

Dates: September 10–13, 2026

Location: Old Forge, NY, in the Central Adirondacks

Events: Ultra 50K, marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, ADKrazy, Super Loon and Loon Challenge, Ky-Tri, and Gravel Grinder Individual race times, routes, registration requirements, packet pickup information, course details, and any schedule changes vary by event.

Competitors and spectators should check the official Old Forge Marathon website.

For runners who have been looking for an excuse to turn a race into an Adirondack getaway, this one provides several—possibly all in the same weekend.

And for more worth-the-drive events across the Adirondacks, subscribe to In Good Taste, ADK Taste’s weekly guide to the region’s best food, stories, and events: https://adktaste.co/evsub.

Dam in Old Forge

Old Forge Marathon FAQ.

When is the Old Forge Marathon in 2026? The Old Forge Marathon weekend runs September 10–13, 2026.

Where is the Old Forge Marathon held? The event takes place in and around Old Forge, NY, in the Central Adirondacks.

What race distances are offered? Runners can choose an Ultra 50K, marathon, half marathon, 10K, or 5K, along with several multi-race challenges.

Are there events for cyclists and paddlers? Yes. The weekend also includes the Ky-Tri for multisport competitors and the Gravel Grinder for cyclists.

Is the Old Forge Marathon good for spectators? Yes. The variety of events makes it easy to combine race-day cheering with a fall weekend exploring Old Forge, Inlet, and the Fulton Chain of Lakes.

Where can competitors find the latest schedule? Check the official Old Forge Marathon website for current start times, registration information, course details, and event updates.


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