Moline, IL
Sunday, September 27, 2026
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The Quad Cities Marathon is a mostly flat, fast course that runs through both Illinois and Iowa. The marathon starts and ends in downtown Moline, Illinois covers 4 cities, 3 bridges, 2 states, and 1 island, all along the Mississippi River. A USATF-certified route and Boston Marathon Qualifier with a maximum elevation of 689 feet and a total elevation gain of roughly 511 feet, the race offer great opportunities for PRs.
From the start, runners head east on River Drive through Moline and East Moline before tracking across the Mississippi River to travel through the Iowa cities of Bettendorf and Davenport, ultimately returning via Rock Island Arsenal Island back to the Illinois finish line.
A smart pacing plan calls for maintaining a steady, even stride during the long straightaways along River Drive and reserving energy for the steady incline of the bridge ramps and the incline in Bettendorf. Overextending on the early flat stretches can cause severe muscle fatigue once you hit the exposed open miles over the Mississippi River on the back half of the course.
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Race Dates
2027: TBDCourse Information
Profile: Mostly FlatRace Day Weather
Mean Temp.: 61°F (16°C)PR Score & Course Score
PR Score: 96.15Race Size
2026: 576 FinishersBQ Percentages
2026: 7.1%Miscellaneous Information
Pace Groups?: Yes
Race Day Temperatures |
High: 75°F (24°C) |
Race Start Conditions |
59°F (15°C) |
PR Score |
96.55 |
Course Score |
98.96 |
The Quad Cities Marathon was the 131st largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 123rd largest marathon in the U.S..
In 2026, 7.1% of Quad Cities Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 4.6% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.
Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Quad Cities Marathon ranked 300th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 161st so far in 2026. In Illinois, it ranked 8th in 2025 and 6th so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Quad Cities Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.
The Quad Cities Marathon has a Course Score of 98.80, ranking it as the 256th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 9th fastest marathon course in Illinois.
Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Quad Cities Marathon a PR Score of 96.15. The PR Score ranks the Quad Cities Marathon as the 397th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 10th best marathon for a PR in Illinois.
Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Quad Cities Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Illinois for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.
Max Elevation: 689 feet (210m)
Min Elevation: 558 feet (170m)
Elevation Gain: 518 feet (157m)
Elevation Loss: 518 feet (157m)
Course updated 06/13/2026
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