Stoltzfus and Burke Won 35th Maine Marathon
The 35th annual Maine Community Bank Maine Marathon saw new winners and course records in Portland.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Running
Live Poll
Do you believe local marathons and races are important for your community's identity?
Dylan Stoltzfus and Betsy Burke claimed victories at the 35th annual Maine Community Bank Maine Marathon in Portland. The event also featured new course records in the half marathon from JP Flavin and Megan O'Neil.
Why it matters
The annual race continues to draw competitive long-distance runners to Maine, serving as a key testing ground for athletes preparing for major national events.
Dylan Stoltzfus finished the marathon in 2:23.59, while Betsy Burke clocked a winning 2:54.08. In the half marathon, JP Flavin and Megan O'Neil set new course records with times of 1:03.00 and 1:14.34, respectively.
The players
Dylan Stoltzfus
He is the winner of the men's 2026 Maine Marathon.
Betsy Burke
She is the winner of the women's 2026 Maine Marathon.
JP Flavin
He set a new course record in the half marathon and is currently preparing for the New York City Marathon.
Megan O'Neil
She set a new course record for women in the half marathon.
The details
JP Flavin secured his victory by maintaining a group pace for 10 miles before accelerating for the final 5K, while Betsy Burke held her pace through the course hills until reaching mile 21. The field included top marathon finishers Steven Fritzsche, Will Faden, Alyssa Carreau, and Linnea Maynard, along with half marathon runners Cameron Dickson and Ned Farrington.
Timeline
The 35th annual Maine Community Bank Maine Marathon occurred on October 4, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The strong performances in Portland serve as a benchmark for athletes aiming to qualify for or excel in major national events like the New York City Marathon. This race acts as a pivotal moment for runners to refine their speed and endurance tactics before transitioning to higher-profile competitive fields.
JP Flavin's ability to hold a group pace for 10 miles before a 5K sprint represents a high-level tactical split that amateur runners can monitor for their own training efficiency. The event records serve as the new target benchmarks for future participants in both the full and half marathon categories.
The takeaway
Maintaining consistent pacing through challenging terrain until the final miles remains a critical factor for success in long-distance events. Runners looking to improve their times can analyze these splits to better plan their own race-day acceleration strategies.
Further reading
For more on regional racing results, see Running.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Live Poll
Do you believe local marathons and races are important for your community's identity?
