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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!


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Fastest Marathons in August


This list ranks the fastest marathons in August based on the race's Personal Record (PR) Score. The PR Score for each marathon is created from an algorithm derived from research on how grade, elevation, and wet bulb temperature and ambient temperature affect marathon running performance. For more detailed information, please visit the FAQ.

The BQ % is the percentage of runners who qualified for the Boston Marathon according to the latest race results. Although it is not always indicative of a fast or slow course, the percent of Boston Marathon qualifiers can provide insight into the quality of the field and/or the speed of the course.

To see a ranking of marathons based only on the course (no weather impact), visit the Fastest Marathon Courses page.

The list only includes certified marathon courses. Keep in mind that PR Scores and ranking assume very good course management and pacing - especially for the extremely downhill races.


 

Fastest Marathons in August

Race Name PR Score BQ % Elevation
1Tunnel Vision Marathon
North Bend, WA
101.38
20.43%
Downhill
Downhill Course
2Leading Ladies Marathon
Spearfish, SD
99.88
22.67%
Downhill
Downhill Course
3Runtastic NEBO Marathon
Payson, UT
99.83
2.04%
Downhill
Downhill Course
4New England Green River Marathon
Greenfield, MA
99.50
13.21%
Downhill
Downhill Course
5Reykjavik Marathon
Reykjavik, IS
98.57
0.00%
Rolling Hills
Rolling Course
6Santa Rosa Marathon
Santa Rosa, CA
98.47
16.21%
Mostly Flat
Mostly Flat Course
7Edmonton Marathon
Edmonton, AB
98.43
5.63%
Mostly Flat
Mostly Flat Course
8Appletree Marathon
Vancouver, WA
98.37
12.98%
Mostly Flat
Mostly Flat Course
9Sydney Marathon
Sydney, AU
98.24
0.00%
Rolling Hills
Rolling Course
10Humpys Marathon
Anchorage, AK
97.60
5.53%
Rolling Hills
Rolling Course
11Wausau Marathon
Wausau, WI
97.11
7.27%
Mostly Flat
Mostly Flat Course
12Humboldt Bay Marathon
Eureka, CA
97.03
14.58%
Rolling Hills
Rolling Course
13Nebraska State Fair Marathon
Grand Island, NE
96.70
9.24%
Very Flat
Very Flat Course
14Camarillo Marathon
Camarillo, CA
96.46
13.04%
Mostly Flat
Mostly Flat Course
15Valentine Marathon
Valentine, NE
95.78
0.00%
Rolling Hills
Rolling Course
16Drake Well Marathon
Titusville, PA
95.40
15.91%
Rolling Hills
Rolling Course
17Sri Chinmoy Marathon
Congers, NY
95.27
15.86%
Very Flat
Very Flat Course
18Millennium Meadows Marathon
Grand Rapids, MI
95.10
35.71%
Mostly Flat
Mostly Flat Course
19Bound for Boston (Denver) Marathon
Denver, CO
92.46
28.57%
Mostly Flat
Mostly Flat Course
20Mexico City Marathon
Mexico City, MX
87.61
0.00%
Rolling Hills
Rolling Course