Sleeping Bear Marathon
Sleeping Bear Marathon race day weather
Comfortable temps, warming through the race
Mild 51°F temps at gun time mean comfortable early miles without overheating risk. Temperatures rising to 64°F through the course will gradually increase perceived effort in the second half. Light winds shouldn't be a major factor for pacing. Moderate humidity at 72% is worth noting for effort level, especially in later miles.
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Sleeping Bear Marathon route and elevation
The Sleeping Bear Marathon course has about 796 ft (243 m) of climbing and 797 ft (243 m) of descent, and finishes near the elevation it starts. It is hillier than 84% of the marathon courses racecast.io has mapped, measured by what the hills cost in time. The hardest mile is mile 3, with 157 ft (48 m) of climbing and a 2.7% average grade.
Biggest climbs
- Miles 1.6 to 2.9: climbs about 190 ft (58 m).
- Miles 20.7 to 22.3: climbs about 195 ft (59 m).
What the hills cost
- 3:30 on a flat course is about 3:32 here (2 minutes slower).
- 4:00 on a flat course is about 4:03 here (3 minutes slower).
- 4:30 on a flat course is about 4:33 here (3 minutes slower).
Hills only, priced mile by mile on the course map. The pace calculator above adds the race-day weather.
Even-effort splits for a 3:30, 4:00 or 4:30 finish
| Mile | Climb | Descent | 3:30 | 4:00 | 4:30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 37 ft | 6 ft | 8:10 | 9:21 | 10:31 |
| 2 | 74 ft | 47 ft | 8:09 | 9:18 | 10:28 |
| 3 | 157 ft | 12 ft | 9:12 | 10:31 | 11:49 |
| 4 | 53 ft | 53 ft | 7:55 | 9:03 | 10:12 |
| 5 | 8 ft | 155 ft | 7:26 | 8:29 | 9:33 |
| 6 | 55 ft | 80 ft | 7:50 | 8:57 | 10:04 |
| 7 | 4 ft | 36 ft | 7:48 | 8:55 | 10:01 |
| 8 | 31 ft | 10 ft | 8:06 | 9:16 | 10:26 |
| 9 | 13 ft | 48 ft | 7:47 | 8:54 | 10:01 |
| 10 | 16 ft | 12 ft | 7:58 | 9:06 | 10:14 |
| 11 | 13 ft | 15 ft | 7:55 | 9:03 | 10:11 |
| 12 | 38 ft | 32 ft | 7:59 | 9:07 | 10:15 |
| 13 | 7 ft | 6 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:12 |
| 14 | 4 ft | 5 ft | 7:55 | 9:03 | 10:11 |
| 15 | 23 ft | 14 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:17 |
| 16 | 4 ft | 21 ft | 7:51 | 8:59 | 10:06 |
| 17 | 12 ft | 13 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:11 |
| 18 | 24 ft | 7 ft | 8:04 | 9:13 | 10:23 |
| 19 | 35 ft | 39 ft | 7:55 | 9:03 | 10:10 |
| 20 | 9 ft | 7 ft | 7:56 | 9:04 | 10:13 |
| 21 | 65 ft | 41 ft | 8:08 | 9:17 | 10:27 |
| 22 | 154 ft | 20 ft | 9:05 | 10:24 | 11:41 |
| 23 | 55 ft | 60 ft | 7:55 | 9:02 | 10:10 |
| 24 | 0 ft | 144 ft | 7:26 | 8:30 | 9:34 |
| 25 | 15 ft | 37 ft | 7:50 | 8:58 | 10:05 |
| 26 | 30 ft | 12 ft | 8:05 | 9:13 | 10:23 |
| Last 0.2 | 1 ft | 14 ft | 1:43 | 1:58 | 2:12 |
Explore the Sleeping Bear Marathon course with the weather and your pace along the route, or compare it with other races.
About the Sleeping Bear Marathon
Join us for a scenic marathon, half marathon, and 5K run/walk in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. All races finish in Empire, MI. The Marathon and Half Marathon start at the Dune Climb with the 5K starting at Empire Beach.
The out-and-back marathon course will take runners by the “Dune Climb”, Little Glen Lake, and through the village of Glen Arbor with breathtaking views of the Manitou Islands and Sleeping Bear Dunes along the way. Source
