There are many North American inline skating marathons. This selection includes many of the well-known marathon events that recur annually and the approximate month they are held. If you know of a popular yearly marathon that should be included in this list, please contact your inlineskating guide via the Inline Skating Forum.
March - Metrodome Inline Marathon
© Metrodome Inline Marathon
The Metrodome Inline Marathon is the world's only regularly scheduled indoor marathon. It is held in March on the silky smooth concourse of the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. To avoid congestion on the concourse, skaters compete in waves and are sent out on the race course one at a time. Drafting is allowed, although pacelines are limited to five skaters. The marathon also includes a team time trial.
April - Texas Road Rash Inline Skate Marathon
© The Texas Roadrash Inline Marathon
Round Rock's Parks and Recreation Department and Hill Country Speed hosted the first annual Texas Road Rash Inline Skate Marathon and Half Marathon in Central Texas in 2004. The course is a smooth, closed multiple looped course with both start and finish in Old Settlers Park. The course is swept the morning of the event to eliminate gravel and any obstacles. City of Round Rock staff and police maintain the course throughout the race for safety. The half marathon participants will loop the course three times and full marathon skaters will loop the course six times. On the final lap, all skaters will cross the finish line through the finishing chute.
June - Apostle Islands Inline Race
Image © National Roller Cup
The Apostle Islands Inline Marathon is skated in a one-of-a-kind location on scenic Madeline Island - one of the Apostle Islands in northwest Wisconsin. This event features a full inline marathon, an ALMT (a little more that) half marathon and a fun race - something for every inline skating enthusiast. The course will easily accommodate skaters of all skill levels.
July - Annual Chicagoland Inline Marathon
© Chicagoland Inline Marathon
The Annual Chicagoland Inline Marathon event offers prize money, lots of participants, an excellent course, and a great location just 9 miles from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Come for the event and stay for all that the Windy City has to offer. There are additional family events including a free Young Guns Race, a 2 mile kids sprint, a half and full marathon. Skate the distance, get a commemorative shirt, and support the Special Olympics of North America, too.
July - Napa Valley Inline Marathon
© Napa Valley Inline Marathon
The Napa Valley Inline Marathon caters to inline skaters and provides an exciting skating weekend. The scenic course goes past vineyards and wineries along a 7 mile closed section of the Silverado Trail in the world famous Napa Wine Valley. The course has long stretches of flatland and rolling hills. The 3 day skating event starts with the San Francisco Friday Night Skate, a winery tour and Calistoga Skate Party on Saturday and the Napa Valley Inline Marathon and picnic on Sunday. There are two distances for participants. The traditional 26.2 mile marathon is for seasoned skaters and the 13.1 mile half marathon is for recreational and fitness skaters.
August - Minnesota Half Marathon
© Saint Paul Inline Marathon
The Minnesota Half Marathon is the biggest event in the nation that involves both runners and skaters. Each athlete does either one or the other – skate it or run in it. Each sport will have it's own totally unique race, skaters will roll with skaters and runners with runners. Skaters go first because they generally move a bit quicker than runners do. The roadway is completely clear of traffic and the course is USATF certified. It is a great running and skating event.
August - Hayward Inline Marathon
© Hayward Inline Marathon
The Hayward Inline Marathon begins and ends in the city of Hayward, Wisconsin, which is also home for the nation's largest cross-country ski race, the American Birkenbeiner. This event is set in the scenic Northwoods of Wisconsin, a couple hours drive from Minneapolis. Participants skate out of a picturesque northern Wisconsin town past lakes, forests and hills. A 39-mile race and prizes to skaters in first place at various stages of the race have been added. There are also divisions for "large" skaters: Clydesdale for men 200 pounds and above and Athena for women 160 pounds and above.
August - North of the 49th Inline Marathon
Image © Roller Sports Manitoba
August is the season for Roller Sports Manitoba's annual inline race - the Annual North of the 49th Inline Marathon. This event is held at Birds Hill Provincial Park, Manitoba, Canada and includes a full marathon, a half marathon and a youth division event with prizes and awards. Be sure to bring your passport, if you are not a Canadian resident.
September – Ottawa Inline Festival
Image © Ottawa Inline Skating Club
The Ottawa Inline Skating Club Festival is an opportunity to try a variety of race events from a 5km family race to a full marathon. The events are held on the newly paved Rockcliffe Parkway in Ottawa, Canada. This route is safe, smooth and fast with a beautiful view of the forest along the Ottawa River. This marathon festival is for suitable for recreational, fitness or competitive skaters. There are rules and a referee on hand to make sure that all skaters enjoy a safe event, and practice good sportsmanship.
September - NYC Marathon and 100K
© The NYC Marathon and 100k
The New York City Marathon and 100K is an old and popular inline event. Everyone is welcome, but it is a small race and is usually attended by more inline speed skaters than recreational and fitness skaters. There is an optional marathon distance, too.
