Across North America on the weekend of May 23–24, 2026, more than 11,500 runners laced up their shoes for marathons ranging from elite-level showdowns on the flat streets of Ottawa to small-field mountain trail adventures in the Colorado Rockies. Eleven races in total — spread across the United States and Canada — delivered everything the sport has to offer: sub-2:10 elites, a sub-4:00 field average, first-time finishers, and trail runners chasing the horizon. Here is the full roundup.

Headline Stories

Cheboi Delivers Sub-2:10 in Ottawa; Top Three Men Separated by 20 Seconds

The performance of the weekend — perhaps one of the most thrilling finishes of the North American spring marathon season — unfolded in Ottawa, where Kenyan runner Elvis Cheboi crossed the line in 2:09:22, narrowly edging out Gizealew Ayana (2:09:25) and Canadian standout Rory Linkletter (2:09:42). Just 20 seconds separated the top three men. Cheboi’s winning time is elite-class by any measure, and the depth of the race — all three podium finishers under 2:10 — made Ottawa the marquee event of the weekend.

Abeba Aregawi Returns to the Roads

On the women’s side in Ottawa, former World Indoor 1500m champion and accomplished marathon competitor Abeba Aregawi claimed victory in 2:23:11, pulling away from Tahir Kuftu (2:25:32) and Betty Chepkorir (2:25:51). Aregawi’s presence alone elevated the national capital race into must-watch territory.

Kellyn Taylor Stakes Her Claim in Burlington

In Vermont, American professional runner Kellyn Taylor — a multiple-time U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier and Boston Marathon podium finisher — delivered a commanding win at the Vermont City Marathon, crossing in 2:35:19. Taylor’s presence in Burlington was a signal that the Vermont City Marathon continues to attract top-tier professional talent.

Bayshore Runs Fast — Field Average Breaks 4:00

In Traverse City, Michigan, the Bayshore Marathon produced the fastest average finishing time of any race this weekend: 3:58:36 for 1,732 finishers. Breaking the 4-hour average barrier is a notable feat of field quality, and Noah Verlinde’s winning effort of 2:16:41 set the tone from the gun.

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Race-by-Race Results

Ottawa Marathon

♂ Elvis Cheboi 2:09:22 | ♀ Abeba Aregawi 2:23:11 | Finishers: 3,862 | Avg: 4:03:09

Canada’s National Capital Race Weekend once again delivered elite marathon racing at its finest. Cheboi’s 2:09:22 is a sub-2:10 clocking that would be competitive at any major on the calendar, and the battle behind him was relentless — Ayana was just three seconds back, with Linkletter another 17 seconds behind in third. On the women’s side, Aregawi ran a controlled and authoritative race, opening a gap of more than two minutes on the field behind her. With 3,862 finishers, Ottawa was the largest field of the weekend by a wide margin.

Full Results

Vermont City Marathon

♂ Ryan Smith 2:15:53 | ♀ Kellyn Taylor 2:35:19 | Finishers: 1,467 | Avg: 4:09:46

Burlington’s beloved spring race drew 1,467 finishers to the shores of Lake Champlain. Ryan Smith took the men’s title in 2:15:53, while Kevin Heeman (2:19:27) and Paul Neilan (2:19:56) rounded out the podium. Taylor’s 2:35:19 was the story, however — the veteran professional ran decisively, finishing more than 30 seconds ahead of Rachel Schilkowsky (2:35:51). Vermont City once again proved that a mid-size field event can deliver major-league performances.

Full Results

Bayshore Marathon

♂ Noah Verlinde 2:16:41 | ♀ Mattie Carter 2:36:37 | Finishers: 1,732 | Avg: 3:58:36

The Bayshore Marathon — a fast, scenic course along the shores of Grand Traverse Bay — delivered the fastest field average of the weekend at 3:58:36. Noah Verlinde won the men’s race in 2:16:41, with Dylan Belles (2:18:27) and Noah Steffen (2:24:28) giving chase. Mattie Carter led the women’s field home in 2:36:37. When a race field of nearly 1,800 runners averages under four hours, you know the course is quick and the competitors are dialed in.

Full Results

Buffalo Marathon Weekend

♂ James Dickinson 2:32:12 | ♀ Lori Russell 2:54:42 | Finishers: 1,214 | Avg: 4:10:51

The Queen City put on a show along its tree-lined streets, with James Dickinson taking the men’s crown in 2:32:12, ahead of Abdel Khalil (2:34:05) and Owen Holland (2:34:18) — another close podium with just two minutes separating the top three. Lori Russell ran a composed race to win the women’s title in 2:54:42, finishing ahead of Emily Avers (2:57:52) and Kayla McGowan (2:58:08). Buffalo’s 1,214-strong field showed that this Rust Belt classic continues to pull runners from across the region.

Full Results

Calgary Marathon

♂ Nageso Nyafaro Tuse 2:22:18 | ♀ Michelle Spencer 2:48:39 | Finishers: 2,497 | Avg: 4:20:51

Alberta’s largest marathon brought 2,497 finishers to the streets of Calgary, making it the second-largest field of the weekend. Nageso Nyafaro Tuse claimed the men’s title in 2:22:18, pulling away from Andy Perez (2:30:15) and Sib Kalsbeek (2:32:50) in the closing miles. Michelle Spencer led the women’s race home in 2:48:39, with Dawn Neal (2:51:35) and Alex Parker (2:55:54) completing the podium. Calgary’s combination of scale and competitive depth continues to cement its place as one of Canada’s premier spring marathons.

Full Results

Coeur d’Alene Marathon

♂ Connor Turpin 2:30:59 | ♀ Shannon Havrilka 3:12:42 | Finishers: 511 | Avg: 4:37:32

Nestled along the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho, this scenic race drew 511 finishers across a challenging course. Connor Turpin won the men’s race in 2:30:59, with Carter Gordon (2:38:43) and Trevor Uyemura (2:39:08) close behind. Shannon Havrilka dominated the women’s field in 3:12:42, well ahead of Anna Brainerd (3:20:46) and Hilary Beck (3:23:40). The average finish time of 4:37:32 speaks to a demanding route — and a determined field.

Full Results

Sudbury Rocks!!!

♂ Lucas Jones 2:44:50 | ♀ Iris Lenauer 3:13:18 | Finishers: 86 | Avg: 4:17:43

Northern Ontario’s beloved charity marathon — raising awareness and funds for diabetes — welcomed 86 finishers in Sudbury. Lucas Jones led the men’s field home in 2:44:50, followed by Alex Godin (2:51:42) and Kyle Coffey (2:55:29). Iris Lenauer won the women’s race in 3:13:18, finishing just seven seconds ahead of Saree Sasson (3:13:25) in one of the closest women’s podium finishes of the weekend. Every finisher here runs for a cause larger than the finish line.

Full Results

Beaverhead Marathon Full & Half

♂ Cole Tolleson Knee 3:56:31 | ♀ Lorraine Carnes 3:47:23 | Finishers: 27 | Avg: 4:52:41

Out in the wide-open terrain of southwest Montana, the Beaverhead Marathon gathered 27 hardy finishers in Dillon. In a twist, the women’s winner ran faster than the men’s — Lorraine Carnes crossed in 3:47:23, ahead of Cole Tolleson Knee’s men’s winning time of 3:56:31. Samantha Lawrence (4:02:56) and Courtney DeCan (4:11:07) rounded out the women’s podium, while Jacob M Schaake (4:14:52) and Conner Williams (4:29:45) completed the men’s top three. Remote, rugged, and real — Beaverhead is running at its most honest.

Full Results

Spirit Trail Race

♂ Bryan Kerl 3:12:57 | ♀ Addie Bracy 4:07:15 | Finishers: 72 | Avg: 5:41:02

High in the Arkansas River Valley, the Spirit Trail Race drew 72 runners to Buena Vista’s challenging course. Bryan Kerl ran a strong effort to win in 3:12:57, nearly an hour ahead of the field average of 5:41:02 — a testament to both the difficulty of the terrain and Kerl’s commanding performance. Addie Bracy — a noted ultra and trail runner — claimed the women’s title in 4:07:15, with Christy Aish (4:22:13) and Heather Pugh (4:31:27) following close behind. The Rocky Mountain altitude does not forgive — and these runners embraced every foot of elevation.

Full Results

Infinitus

♂ Nathan Lalonde 4:22:42 | ♀ Michaela Forty 5:04:52 | Finishers: 55 | Avg: 6:52:13

Vermont’s Green Mountains provided the backdrop for the Infinitus, a demanding trail marathon distance event in the hills outside Ripton. With a field average of 6:52:13, this race is unambiguously about the experience — rugged terrain, elevation, and the satisfaction of grinding to the finish. Nathan Lalonde won in 4:22:42, with Andrew Cliburn (4:24:22) just a minute and a half behind. Michaela Forty took the women’s title in 5:04:52, followed by Elizabeth Podhaizer (5:31:59) and Crystal Ross (6:05:46). Infinitus demands everything — and gives back in kind.

Full Results

Fools

♂ Adrian Breaz 3:35:38 | ♀ Julie Selby 4:53:42 | Finishers: 30 | Avg: 5:18:34

In the hills of the Cuyahoga Valley in northeastern Ohio, the Fools marathon lived up to its irreverent name with a rugged course that tested 30 determined finishers. Adrian Breaz won the men’s race in 3:35:38, ahead of Jeremy Kinches (3:48:16) and Joshua Kinches (3:51:54) — notably, brothers on the same podium. Julie Selby led the women’s field in 4:53:42. This is the kind of low-key, high-character event that reminds you why people run marathons in the first place.

Full Results

By the Numbers

Stat	Value
Total races	11
Total finishers	11,553
Largest field	Ottawa Marathon (3,862)
Smallest field	Beaverhead Marathon (27)
Fastest men’s winning time	Elvis Cheboi, Ottawa — 2:09:22
Fastest women’s winning time	Abeba Aregawi, Ottawa — 2:23:11
Fastest field average	Bayshore Marathon — 3:58:36
Closest men’s podium	Ottawa — 20 seconds separated 1st and 3rd
Closest women’s podium	Sudbury Rocks — 7 seconds separated 1st and 2nd
Countries represented	USA, Canada

Results sourced from MarathonGuide.com. All times are official chip results. Weekend of May 23–24, 2026.