For marathon runners interesting in competing in the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon and Marathon Relay, here are two words of advice: plan ahead.

Due to the incredible popularity of the Memorial Day Weekend event, race organizers have had to cap the number of participants to ensure a safe and high-quality event. The demand has caused the race to fill up months in advance.

This year the field is limited to 7,000 runners plus 800 teams (650 3-5 person teams and 150 2-person teams). An estimated 70% of these runners will come from outside Vermont, covering 40 states and four foreign countries.

The first KeyBank Vermont City Marathon was held in 1989 and drew a respectable 1,055 runners. Since then, it has become the second-largest marathon in New England after the Boston Marathon. Its fair course has also made the race popular for Boston Marathon qualifying.

The event is held in scenic Burlington, with a population of approximately 40,000, and is the largest marathon event in the town of its size in the United States. The course was voted one of the “10 Most Scenic Marathons” by Runner’s World magazine. The race starts in Battery Park and finishes at Waterfront Park. The course is lined with spectators, especially during the four trips through Battery Park.

The KeyBank Vermont City Marathon draws runners of all abilities, including some of the top runners in the Northeast as well as international talent. Last year’s event was won by Peter Fleming in 2:24:02. The top women’s finisher was Caryn Hefferman in 2:46:51. The course record was set in 2001 by Michael Kobotov in 2:17:03.

The race begins at 8:05 a.m. and there is a six hour time limit. The average temperature in Burlington on race day is 50 degrees at 8 a.m. and 72 degrees at noon. There is a sports and fitness expo the day before the race at the Sheraton Conference Center in Burlington.