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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

It's here! Our annual list of the year's
best marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.

2026 IS HERE!



Hartford Marathon

Hartford, CT
Saturday, October 10, 2026


  4.9 Stars from 14 Reviews
Top 50 Best Boston Qualifying Marathon for 2026

Course Description
The Hartford Marathon showcases the revitalized riverfronts of Hartford and East Hartford with breathtaking views of the Connecticut River and classic New England charm of Old Main Street, South Windsor.

October Other Marathons in October Other Marathons in Connecticut Marathons near Hartford, CT



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Saturday, October 10, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Mostly Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 53°F (11°C)
Average High: 62°F (16°C)
Average Low: 41° F (5°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 98.39
Course Score: 98.39

Race Size

2026: 2,181 Finishers
2025: 1,915 Finishers
2024: 1,647 Finishers
2023: 1,466 Finishers
2022: 1,174 Finishers
2021: 1,322 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 9.5%
2025: 9.4%
2024: 9.5%
2023: 13%
2022: 13.5%
2021: 12%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 16 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 64°F  (18°C)
Low: 47°F  (8°C)

Race Start Conditions

49°F  (9°C)
Humidity: 83%

Clear
N 3 mph

PR Score

98.18

Course Score

98.61






Hartford Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Hartford Marathon was the 48th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 46th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 9.5% of Hartford Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 9.4% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Hartford Marathon ranked 149th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 118th so far in 2026. In Connecticut, it ranked 1st in 2025 and 1st so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Hartford Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Hartford Marathon has a Course Score of 98.39, ranking it as the 316th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest marathon course in Connecticut.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Hartford Marathon a PR Score of 98.39. The PR Score ranks the Hartford Marathon as the 247th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 1st best marathon for a PR in Connecticut.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Hartford Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Connecticut for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Hartford Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed316th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 1st fastest marathon course in Connecticut
Top 68% Nationally#1 of 4 in Connecticut
PR Potential247th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 1st best marathon for a PR in Connecticut
Top 53% Nationally#1 of 4 in Connecticut
Boston Qualifier Rate149th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 1st highest BQ percentage in Connecticut
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 32% Nationally#1 of 3 in Connecticut
Race Size48th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 1st largest marathon in Connecticut
Based on 2025 results
Top 9% Nationally#1 of 3 in Connecticut

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 182 feet (55m)
Min Elevation: 15 feet (4m)

Elevation Gain: 754 feet (229m)
Elevation Loss: 782 feet (238m)


Hartford

Course updated 12/23/2025




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Hartford Marathon

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Compare the Hartford Marathon to other Marathons

Use tools below to compare races and convert times across courses.

Do you want to see how the Hartford Marathon stacks up against other marathons?

Compare the details of the Hartford Marathon side-by-side with other marathons with our Comparison Tool.


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Hartford Marathon in 3:09:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

See how your finish time would compare on other marathon courses with our Time Conversion Tool.


Time Converter Tool

Race Reviews


4.9
Based on 14 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Great organization/turnout - OK course

Full Review:

Great organization - the event draws a large number of runners and spectators and the start/finish area is beautiful making for a great atmosphere. Time of year is great, usually 50s. Full course is OK - its changed recently so it depends on what it will be in the future but the run through West Hartford is enjoyable given crowd support. Hills are manageable. The flat portion through East Hartford/South Windsor has much less turnout but is fairly flat. Looping back on Main St in South Windsor isnt great but it's fine and at least you get "double" the crowd support.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Arrive early - parking and bathrooms get busy.
Reviewed by JT About 2023

Well organized. Start and finish by the arch

Full Review:

I liked the atmosphere and start and finish across the street from our hotel "The Capital hotel". The course was fairly flat. Everything was close to downtown and our hotel. I'm one of those runners that really doesn't take in the scenery. I'm more focused on time and maybe the runners in front of me. Nice medal good expo.

Race Tips:

Stay at The Capital hotel. Beautiful fall colours.
Reviewed by H B About 2023

Great Stepping Stone To Get To Boston

Full Review:

If you're like me and you're hellbent on getting to Boston, then this is one of the best marathons for it. Because it's in mid October, it's very early in a "Boston Marathon Qualification Cycle" (which spans from September to September of the following year). You can run the Hartford Marathon and, depending on how well you did, you can spend the next 9 or 10 months training for another marathon later in the qualification cycle with some valuable lessons learned, adjustments made to training, etc., to make the cut for Boston.

Also, mid October usually means cool running weather, which is a plus. The course is mostly flat from the halfway point until the last mile, and has a fairly high rate of BQers (13%). Hartford has a pretty cool "big city" feel, and this marathon is THE running event in the state of Connecticut. Lots of people turn out and help make it special by cheering on the runners.

Though it's a small touch, one of my favorite things about the race is the bib pickup at the XL Center (where the Hartford Wolfpack hockey team plays). They had big displays with the photos of the best local runners that were competing, and also large displays with the bibs of the previous years winners. It really did make me feel like I was participating in a major competition.

Race Tips:

If you're trying to get a sub 3 hour marathon and are relying on a 3 hour pacer group, you may be out of luck. I didn't see a 3 hour pacer group, which is a bummer. Because the half marathon and the marathon start at the same time, your best bet is to run with the 90 minute half marathon pacer group until the race splits them off.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Get to the Capitol 1 hour early. Get some stretches in. Take some selfies.
Reviewed by Joseph P About 2023

Very Nice Race

Full Review:

This is a gem of a race. It's incredibly well-organized with a decent course - well, actually it's like 3 courses. The first 8 miles or so are a rolling loop through Hartford and East Hartford with a dizzying array of turns, the next 16 are an out and back which feature a straight 9 miles (4.5 out and 4.5 back) through South Windsor, followed by a 2.2 mile jaunt back into Hartford for the finish (which includes a third of a mile climb, not steep, but definitely a climb, up a bridge.

The 9-mile out and back looked tedious on course videos posted on YouTube, but the folks in South Windsor turned out in force for the race. You want to talk about good spectator support! This actually turned out to be the most exciting part of the race.

The finish area in Bushnell Park was akin to a town festival. There were a lot of exhibitors, food, a beer garden, bands, massage tents, etc.

Race Tips:

The course rolls. Nothing too extreme, but some of the uphills in the first 10K are up to a quarter mile long, so be a bit cautious early on. The out and back portion is pretty fast.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Arrive early. I got to my parking lot, which was a few blocks from the start, 70 minutes before the race. By the time I got my gear checked, the lines for the porta-potties were long. Luckily, I got to the start five minutes before the gun went off - and the lines for the porta-potties were still astronomically long.
Reviewed by MF About 2022

Great choice for Connecticut!

Full Review:

The thing that stands out most for me about this marathon is the volunteers! They were plenty and awesome! From the water stations to the volunteers on bikes, they were the best! The course was beautiful, I thought, with some water, some green, and some lovely homes to look at while we were running. I'm glad I chose this race for my Connecticut marathon!

Race Tips:

It's a bit hilly but just enough to not get bored.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

They did not mention anywhere on their website that they had race shuttles. We only discovered it when we were waiting outside our hotel for our Uber! We stayed across the river in East Hartford and would have been able to walk to more places had we stayed closer to the start.
Reviewed by Dena D About 2021

Hartford Marathon

Full Review:

Ok, there's lot to like about this race! First, it's on a Saturday which is unique and great for the non-running spouse if you're from out of town because you'll likely do more visiting if the marathon past (Saturday morning) than if it's coming up (Sunday morning) during the weekend. Also, it's got that "Big City Feel" to it but yet you can get a hotel room at a half decent price withing walking distance to the start line (try that in Boston or New York). Will return!
Reviewed by RG About 2021

Great welcome, forgiving course!

Full Review:

While very much a "minor" marathon in the shadow of the upcoming NY Marathon, Hartford pulls out all the stops to make you feel like you're an important part of a race with a proud 25-year tradition. From bib pick-up to finish line it was organized, well-staffed and simply fun. A great run, really.

Race Tips:

It's a fast course, so don't overrun the first few miles. Other than that, it's pretty straightforward.
Reviewed by Bill About 2018

Full Review:

Great race on a relatively flat course, good race support and nice scenery.

Race Tips:

If you have someone for race support have them stand at mile 12, once you pass they can walk across the street to meet you at mile 22. They'll be able to walk to mile 12 before you arrive and walk back from mile 22 to the finish line before you get back.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

We arrived from the east at 7:00 AM and didn't encounter any traffic.
Reviewed by MEB About 2016

Full Review:

Well organized. Good post race finish area (one of the best I have seen). Flat, good markings.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Get to parking areas early and then relax.
Reviewed by AL About 2016

Full Review:

Reviewed by Anonymous About 2016

Full Review:

Great small city race. Good fans, great post race food and course music.. Easy to get to-can walk to hotel, start line, parking.
Reviewed by BER About 2016

Full Review:

Excellent race from soup to nuts. Everyone and everything was awesome. I would do it again. Friendly, fun, and professional.

Race Tips:

easy to get to. Easy to do.
Reviewed by e.g. About 2014

Full Review:

Great scenery, organization, food and BEER!!!
Reviewed by ty About 2014

Full Review:

Very well organized. Option to have bib, shirt, and bag for checking clothes on race day sent to you in advance for nominal fee. Great food and drink at finish. Good Gatorade, water, and Gu service on route. A great value for the $. Also nice that it's on the holiday weekend, so you have more time to travel and recover, even if getting there on Friday from anywhere in the tri- state area will test your patience.

Race Tips:

Mostly flat. Ramps and bridges are the only real hills. Most hotels offer late checkout, so you can grab a shower after the race without staying an extra day. Don't wait too late to check bag. There was a huge bottleneck during the last 30-40 minutes before the start. The half and full marathons start together and split after a few miles. Be careful not to get caught on the wrong side of the street at the split. I almost got stuck on the half marathon side.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Lots of parking right near the start. Some is free. Most is not. Expect to pay $10 for the open lots nearest the start. Some service stations at same location also offer $10 parking. City Steam brewery was a post- race hit. Kids liked the science vented. Bring your bib for a discount.
Reviewed by DP About 2013