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Boston Cut-off Time Prediction Contest

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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.

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Big Sky Marathon vs Madison Marathon (Montana) — Marathon Comparison

Compare two marathons side-by-side: course difficulty, elevation, typical race-day weather, finishers, BQs, and runner reviews—so you can choose the right race for your goals.

Big Sky Marathon

Varney, MT
TBD



Madison Marathon (Montana)

Ennis, MT
TBD



 

Description: Big Sky Marathon

No course description available at this time.

Description: Madison Marathon (Montana)

The Madison Marathon starts at the base of Black Butte Mountain at an elevation of about 9,200 feet.

The course is on the gravel/dirt Gravelly Range Road (Road 290).


Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Sunday, July 12, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Downhill
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Mostly on Road/Pavement
Certified (Boston Qualifier): No

PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: None
Course Score: None

Race Day Weather

Mean Temperature: 67°F (19°C)
Average High: 84°F (28°C)
Average Low: 50°F (10°C)


Race Size

2026: No Results
2025: No Results
2024: 22 Finishers
2023: 37 Finishers
2022: 38 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: N/A
2025: No Results
2024: No Results
2023: No Results
2022: No Results

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No




Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Saturday, July 11, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Very Hilly
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Trail
Certified (Boston Qualifier): No

PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: None
Course Score: None

Race Day Weather

Mean Temperature: 66°F (18°C)
Average High: 83°F (28°C)
Average Low: 49°F2 (9°C2)


Race Size

2026: No Results
2025: No Results
2024: 17 Finishers
2023: 23 Finishers
2022: 37 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: N/A
2025: N/A
2024: N/A
2023: No Results
2022: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No



Marathon Rankings:
Big Sky Marathon

Rankings will be listed for 2026 at the end of the year.

 

Marathon Rankings:
Madison Marathon (Montana)

Rankings will be listed for 2026 at the end of the year.


 

Elevation Chart: Big Sky Marathon

Max Elevation: 8531 feet (2600m)Elevation Gain: 682 feet (207m)
Min Elevation: 5147 feet (1569m)Elevation Loss: 4050 feet (1234m)

Big

Elevation Chart: Madison Marathon (Montana)

Max Elevation: 9600 feet (2926m)
Min Elevation: 8550 feet (2606m)

 No course elevation available at this time.




Finish Time Equivalent


If you ran the Boston Marathon in 4:48:00, the equivalent finish time for the New York City Marathon would be 4:52:53.

See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses using the Marathon Time Converter Tool.


Marathon Pace Bands

See what splits you need to run for the Big Sky Marathon or hundreds of other marathons, adjusted for the specific terrain of each marathon and your goal time, and pacing strategies.

Use the data for Free or Order a Waterproof, Snap-on Pace Band for only .



Race Reviews

Big Sky Marathon
None




Madison Marathon (Montana)
None








Marathon comparison FAQ

Focus on elevation and terrain, typical race-day temperatures, finisher counts, entry cost, runner ratings, and travel logistics. Those factors usually predict difficulty and overall experience.
A marathon is usually harder when it has more elevation gain, tougher terrain (hills/trails), hotter or more humid weather, and lower runner satisfaction scores.
Yes—use the marathon search page to find races near your location, then select two races to compare them side-by-side on this page.