Marathon races near Erie

Erie Base Miles

Erie hosts 3 Marathon races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.

Locals run Presque Isle first because Presque Isle State Park gives you over 13 miles of multi-purpose trail, unpaved paths, road access, and Lake Erie views. Erie Runners Club has been around since 1976 and puts on the Presque Isle Half Marathon, ERC Turkey Trot, ERC Summer Spectacular, and a bunch of 5Ks. Behrend has nice trails and a couple miles of off-roadway running for easy Z2. Frontier Park gives west side runners about 1 mile around and a cross country feel. Erie Marathon at Presque Isle is the anchor event, and the course stays pretty flat.

The 5 mile multi-purpose trail makes an easy loop before work. The Bayfront Bikeway gives riders about 9 miles of urban and lakeside path, and the Bayfront Promenade adds a one-mile bluff line. from April through August at Walnut Creek Middle School, with women only rides that are suited to all levels. behind Sox Harrison Stadium. Lake Erie Cyclefest is the main event, with climbs in the rolling hills and farmlands east and west of town, including Gospel Hill, Dutch Hill, Lyons Hill, and Six Mile Creek.

Spring, Summer, and Fall give Erie the best training block, with enough variety for intervals, long runs, gravel, singletrack, and gran fondo miles. Summer stays workable because Lake Erie tempers the heat, and Erie averages 4 days per year with highs at or above 32°C. July brings Lake Erie Cyclefest, while Presque Isle keeps runners shaded, flat, and close to water. Winter changes the plan because Erie gets heavy lake-effect snow, with average annual snowfall reaching 190.5 cm and average seasonal snowfall reaching 233.7 cm. Locals shift to snowy runs, cautious rides, and indoor work when the roads turn rough.