North Country Trail Marathon
Manistee National Forest, United States of America · Sunday 29 August 2027
TrailFull Marathon
Held in Michigan's Manistee National Forest, this late-summer marathon takes place in a region defined by dense woodland and the quiet beauty of the Lower Peninsula. The forest setting offers shade and a sense of isolation from urban areas, with the landscape shaped by the natural corridors and timber stands typical of Michigan's interior. Runners will experience the kind of peaceful, rural backdrop that characterizes much of the national forest system, where the primary sounds are often just feet on pavement and birdsong. The course itself is refreshingly straightforward. With virtually no elevation change across the full distance, this is as close to a true flat marathon as you'll find, making it an ideal option if you're chasing a personal best or simply want to focus on pacing without worrying about climbing. The road surface provides consistent, predictable footing throughout, and the forest canopy along much of the route offers natural protection from the summer sun. Runners should expect steady conditions underfoot and a course that rewards consistent effort rather than tactical climbing or descending. The lack of significant elevation means you can commit to a rhythm early and hold it, which is both the appeal and the demand of a pancake-flat forest marathon in August heat.
Difficulty Calculator
h
:m
:s
Adjusted Time
4:34:23
Time difference: +34.4 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain0m
Elevation High0m
Elevation Low0m
Weather Forecast
High26°C
Low12°C
Chance of Rain0%
How hard is North Country Trail Marathon?
We don't yet have verified elevation data for this course, so we can't rate its difficulty against other marathons. Our data pipeline backfills course elevation continuously - check back soon.
North Country Trail Marathon 2027 Course Analysis
North Country Trail Marathon is a full marathon held in Manistee National Forest, United States of America. It is scheduled for Sunday 29 August 2027. The course is run on trail surface with 0m of total climbing, with its high point near 0m above sea level.
Elevation Profile
This is a very flat course, with only 0m of total climbing and little change in altitude throughout. Flat profiles let you hold an even pace from start to finish, which makes this a fast, PB-friendly race.
Expected Race Day Weather
Based on historical weather data for August, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Moderate temperatures between 12°C and 26°C are expected. While comfortable for most runners, those targeting fast times should pay attention to hydration, as these temperatures can impact performance on race day. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.
Surface Type: Trail
North Country Trail Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are usually slower than the road equivalent - often by 10-20% - because of uneven footing, technical sections, and frequently steeper gradients, though a smooth, non-technical or downhill trail can run faster than that suggests. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare North Country Trail Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
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