In 1913, John Rockefeller Jr. built a series of carriage roads so he could avoid cars in the Acadia National Park. Nine miles of the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Half Marathon run on that still-existing system of hard-packed trails. The hilly course starts in the small, picturesque fishing town of Bar Harbor, then cuts into the National Park. Dense forest engulfs runners as they cross several old granite bridges before looping back to town.

NOTE: Unique Course for 2021
In the Fall of 2021, Acadia National Park will be conducting major work on the carriage roads around Eagle Lake where our course is traditionally held. Park officials have graciously allowed the Mount Desert Island YMCA to design a half marathon course unique to 2021. The course will still start and finish in downtown Bar Harbor, but will feature a loop on carriage roads around Witch Hole Pond and Paradise Hill. This course will not be officially certified, but will be a full half marathon distance. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to race on this unique route. The race will still be capped at 400 runners, so register early to guarantee your entry!