You start on Capitol Square at 7:00 a.m. in mid-November, the white dome of the Wisconsin State Capitol glowing above you while your breath hangs in air that averages about 40 degrees. The first 13 miles carry you past plenty of cheering neighbors and through the University of Wisconsin campus, then the course quiets as it rolls around Lake Monona and into the Arboretum, where you may have only your footsteps and the bare November trees for company. Expect rolling hills, about 850 feet of gain, and a well-known climb near mile 25 that rewards whatever you saved. You finish back on the Square at Main Street and MLK Boulevard with catered food and a beer waiting. The course closes at 1:00 p.m., six hours after the gun, and the full marathon sold out in 2026, so register early next year.
Starts on Capitol Square at Mifflin St. & Wisconsin Ave. and finishes on the Square at Main St. & MLK Jr. Blvd., rolling past Lake Monona, the UW campus and the Arboretum with a noted climb near mile 25. Course map ↗
Closes 2026-10-31. Registration closes Oct 31 at 11:59 pm or when capacity is reached, whichever comes first; no on-site registration. As of 2026-10-14 the full marathon is listed as SOLD OUT on Race Roster ($202.57); half $202.57, 10K $76.65. Bib transfers via Race Roster through Oct 31 ($15 fee), in person at the expo after Nov 1 ($25). No refunds or deferrals. Register ↗
- The modern race began in 1994 as the Mad City Marathon, took the Madison Marathon name in 2007, and moved from Memorial Day weekend to November in 2013 after the 2012 race was cancelled for extreme heat; an earlier Madison Marathon ran 1974-1983, starting with 59 runners. ↗
- Courses are measured and certified by USA Track & Field and the race is a Boston qualifier; 6% of 2025 marathon finishers ran BQ times (7.3% in 2024, 8% in 2023). ↗
- Marathon finishers have grown from 1,016 in 2021 to 1,911 in 2025; the course has 851 ft of gain and 833 ft of loss with a mean race-day temperature around 40 F. ↗
- Organized by Madison Festivals, Inc., a 501(c)(3) that calls it the largest full and half marathon in Wisconsin; the event supports 30 local charities and generates over $600,000 in direct community spending. ↗
- Marathon prize purse pays $1,500 to the male and female winners, $750 for second and $500 for third; 2026 is the final year of a four-year medal series, with a center coin for runners who completed all four. ↗
Checked 2026-10-14. Always confirm on the official site before booking travel.