The 15th annual Mad Marathon is preparing to welcome runners and visitors for a weekend that organizers say blends competition, community and inspiration to The Mad River Valley.
Since its founding in 2011, the community-based event has drawn runners from all 50 states and U.S. territories as well as participants from 36 countries. Organizers say the 2026 field is shaping up to continue that tradition, bringing together athletes of varied backgrounds and accomplishments.
The weekend opens Friday, July 10, with a free community concert at The Inn at the Round Barn Farm featuring The Grift. Sponsored by Lawson’s Finest Liquids, the concert begins at 6 p.m. and is open to Valley residents and visitors.
Saturday’s activities continue with the annual Mad Marathon Carbo Dinner at the Round Barn beginning at 5:30 p.m., an event many returning participants have described as the “best carbo dinner in the world.” This year’s dinner will also feature appearances and stories from endurance athletes known for overcoming extraordinary challenges.
ENDURANCE AND RECOVERY
Leading the evening program will be Chuck Engle, vice president of business development for MarathonGuide.com and one of the country’s most accomplished endurance athletes.
Engle has completed over 530 marathons, including more than 480 finishes under three hours across all 50 states. His resume includes marathon victories in every state, more than 50 marathon course records, 20 finishes at the Boston Marathon, 16 Ironman completions, four qualifications for the Ironman World Championship, six All-World Ironman Athlete honors, a USA Triathlon age group national championship and three NCAA All-American honors.
But organizers report that Engle’s recent journey may be his most compelling accomplishment. In 2025, Engle was struck head-on by an SUV while riding his bicycle and suffered injuries that left many questioning whether he would race competitively again. Less than seven months later, he returned to competition, completing Ironman Texas and the Boston Marathon in the same week.
“I am ecstatic about returning to the Mad River Valley for what I truly believe is the world’s most beautiful marathon,” Engle said. “Among the hundreds of marathons I’ve completed, Mad Marathon remains one of my absolute favorites. Every year, my wife and I look forward to the scenery, the challenging course and the incredible hospitality of the Vermont community. I’m honored to share my story at the Mad Marathon Carbo Dinner and celebrate a weekend that brings runners together from all over the country.”
Over the years, Mad Marathon has attracted notable figures from the endurance world.
Past participants have included Bart Yasso, author of “100 Runs of a Lifetime,” the National Geographic book that included the Mad Marathon among its featured races. Yasso retired after a 31-year career with Runner’s World and is among a select group of athletes to complete races on all seven continents, compete in Ironman events and cycle across the United States twice without support.
STORIES OF RESILIENCE
Another returning figure connected to the event is marathon author Aaron Burros, whose book “Medal Monday” chronicles a deeply personal journey through trauma and recovery.
In November 2015, Burros survived being shot five times while protecting his co-workers. Although he recovered physically, he continued to navigate the long-term effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and uncertainty about his future as a runner.
Years later, Burros set himself a new challenge: completing 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 weeks to mark his 50th birthday.
Organizers say the effort became not only a personal milestone but also a way for Burros to connect with and encourage others through the running community.
“Medal Monday isn’t just another running book — it’s carb loading for the mind and fuel for your soul,” Burros said. “When you hit the wall, it’ll give you the mental toughness to run through it.”
Tom Perri has brought another story of perseverance to the Mad Marathon community.
His book, “Running: My Salvation from Stage 4 Cancer,” centers not simply on running but on confronting adversity and reshaping life through determination and optimism.
Across six decades of running, Perri has completed more than 680 marathons and ultramarathons. He continued competing after receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2018 at age 58 and after learning in 2019 that the disease had progressed to Stage 4.
“I truly meant what the title implies, and that is ‘Running: My Salvation from Stage 4 Cancer’ because continuing running helped me stay active and positive,” Perri said. “Running has given me the conditioning I needed to get through all that cancer has thrown my way.”
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Participants over the years have repeatedly pointed to the event’s atmosphere and setting as reasons they return.
Runner comments collected by organizers describe the race as “beautiful,” “challenging,” “well organized,” and defined by Vermont hospitality.
Among those reflections:
“What a great event. Low key, easy to get to, very well organized, plenty of aid stations, volunteers and the Vermont charm,” said a participant from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Others described the marathon as a “beautiful challenging race,” an “amazing small-town race,” a “great New England run,” and “a jewel of a discovery.”
Race director Dori Ingalls said organizers hope residents join in the celebration.
“Join us Mad Marathon Weekend, not only for our events, but by cheering runners along the 26.2 miles of the gorgeous Mad River Valley,” Ingalls said.
The race gets underway at 7 a.m. on July 12 with the course starting at the Mad River Green in Waitsfield. It takes runners down Route 100, through the covered bridges and along the paved and dirt roads on the east side of The Valley. There will be brief road closures throughout the morning. For full course details, visit https://www.madmarathon.com/
