The Maine Marathon is on track to have its largest field yet

Emma Howe of Cambridge, Massachusetts, clenches her fist as she nears the finish line at the 2023 Maine Marathon. Howe won the women's class of the marathon. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

The 33rd running of the Gorham Savings Bank Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay Race will feature several changes and a record number of registrations.

Sunday races begin and end next to Pedro Field in Portland, 55 Baxter Blvd. Registrations far exceeded last year's record of 4,114 registrations, with more than 4,800 registered as of Friday afternoon.

The races start at 7:45 a.m

“I expect another 300 registrations by Saturday. I expect we will be at 5,000 by the weekend,” said Bob Dunfey, the volunteer race director.

Brandon Talisesky crosses the finish line to win the 2023 Maine Marathon. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

This year there are changes to the course, a new location for the exhibition and bib distribution on Saturday, and additional prize money for runners who identify as non-binary.

The Maine Marathon has allowed runners to register as non-binary since the 2020 virtual race, a decision made before the pandemic began.

In August, it was announced that non-binary runners could receive the same cash prizes – $1,000 for a marathon win, $500 for the half marathon, with money up to fifth place – as the top male and female finishers.

“We are aware of only two other races in the country where non-binary runners receive equal cash prizes,” Dunfey said in August. “The Maine Marathon has long been a leader in enabling non-binary registrations, and we are excited to take the next step by introducing cash prizes this year. We hope this decision inspires other races to follow suit.”

To qualify for cash prizes, runners must meet a specific time requirement. Non-binary and female runners must run under 1 hour and 25 minutes for the half marathon and 3:15 for the marathon. The time standards for male runners are 1:15 for the half and 2:45 for the marathon.

In 2023, four runners competed in the non-binary category for the marathon, one of whom finished under 3:25. As of Friday afternoon, 18 participants have identified as non-binary, including eight in the marathon.

Veronica Graziano, the 2023 Maine Half Marathon champion, is participating in this year's race. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

The track changes come early in the race in Portland and Falmouth and will likely have a greater impact on traffic than the actual competition. Dunfey said the race no longer has permission from Maine State Police to close the exit and entrance ramps at Exits 8 and 9 along I-295.

“No ramps will be closed this year, but now (motorists) will be sent back onto the highway,” Dunfey said. “It is best not to use exit 8 or 9. It’s also best to avoid Washington Avenue all day.”

The 26.2-mile, USATF-certified marathon course, a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, takes runners through Falmouth to Cumberland and then to Yarmouth before turning back. The turnaround of the half marathon course takes place in Falmouth. The marathon relay for teams of two to four runners is divided into four legs ranging from 5.5 to 8.8 miles.

The new location of the fair, which features numerous vendors, is the Stevens Square Community Center. The fair will take place on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but race numbers will be picked up by 7:00 p.m. Runners are asked to pick up their start pack on Saturday.

Dunfey also emphasizes that there will be no free parking in nearby University of Southern Maine parking lots and garages on race day. USM parking rates are $4.15 per hour or $16 per day. Visit the Maine Marathon website for detailed parking information.

Jesse Orach of Auburn crosses the finish line to win the 2023 Maine Half Marathon. Orach is participating in the marathon this year. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

In 2023, Brandon Talisesky of New York City won the men's marathon in 2:34.53, well below the record time of 2:19.19 set by Ryan Eiler of Boston in 2022. Emma Howe of Cambridge, Massachusetts, won the women's marathon last year in 2:19.19:48.56. The women's marathon record is 2:39.38, set by Abby Hamilton of Yarmouth in 2021. Neither Taliesky nor Howe are registered this year, but Eiler is registered in the half marathon.

The 2023 half marathon races were won by Jesse Orach of Auburn (1:08.41) and Veronica Graziano of Falmouth (1:18:43). The half marathon records were set in 2019 by New Yorkers Kemal Birhanu (1:05.59) and Hirut Guangal (1:15.32). Graziano returns to defend her title while Orach competes in the marathon.

The Maine Marathon has raised over $7 million for charity since 1997. Gorham Savings Bank, the sponsoring partner, returns approximately 59% of gross profits to community groups. Every year the volunteer organizers select the beneficiaries. This year's charitable groups are: Percival Baxter Foundation for Maine's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children; Maine Paws for Veterans; Maine Senior Games; Riding to the Top, a therapeutic equestrian center; saltwater classroom; and Strong Girls United.

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