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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

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York Marathon

York, PA
Sunday, May 3, 2026


  3.8 Stars from 6 Reviews

Course Description
The out and back York Marathon course starts at the York YMCA and finishes at the Old Colonial Courthouse.

The majority of the race is run on the Heritage Rail Trail.

May Other Marathons in May Other Marathons in Pennsylvania Marathons near York, PA



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Sunday, May 3, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Out and Back
Surface: Mostly on Trails

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: No

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 60°F (15°C)
Average High: 65°F (18°C)
Average Low: 55° F (12°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 98.65
Course Score: 99.55

Race Size

2026: 235 Finishers
2025: 195 Finishers
2024: 199 Finishers
2023: 216 Finishers
2022: 227 Finishers
2021: 370 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 11.9%
2025: 12.3%
2024: 17.1%
2023: 19%
2022: 18.1%
2021: 24.1%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 9 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 73°F  (23°C)
Low: 54°F  (12°C)

Race Start Conditions

55°F  (13°C)
Humidity: 90%

Mostly Cloudy
ESE 3 mph

PR Score

86.37

Course Score

88.49






York Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The York Marathon was the 269th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 245th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 11.9% of York Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 12.3% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the York Marathon ranked 107th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 85th so far in 2026. In Pennsylvania, it ranked 7th in 2025 and 7th so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the York Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The York Marathon has a Course Score of 99.55, ranking it as the 95th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 6th fastest marathon course in Pennsylvania.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the York Marathon a PR Score of 98.65. The PR Score ranks the York Marathon as the 219th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 10th best marathon for a PR in Pennsylvania.

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

York Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed95th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 6th fastest marathon course in Pennsylvania
Top 21% Nationally#6 of 17 in Pennsylvania
PR Potential219th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 10th best marathon for a PR in Pennsylvania
Top 47% Nationally#10 of 17 in Pennsylvania
Boston Qualifier Rate107th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 7th highest BQ percentage in Pennsylvania
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 23% Nationally#7 of 19 in Pennsylvania
Race Size269th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 10th largest marathon in Pennsylvania
Based on 2025 results
Top 46% Nationally#10 of 21 in Pennsylvania

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 519 feet (158m)
Min Elevation: 362 feet (110m)

Elevation Gain: 211 feet (64m)
Elevation Loss: 213 feet (64m)


York



Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the York Marathon

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Compare the York Marathon to other Marathons

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

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the York Marathon in 3:07:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

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Race Reviews


3.8
Based on 6 reviews
Write Your Own Review

The local authorities will ruin your day

Full Review:

The local authorities will ruin your day by forgetting to set the traffic lights to let shuttle buses get back in time for you to see loved ones finish the race, then when you make it to the finish line to see your loved one finish the race, the race officials will photo bomb your video filming your loved one crossing the finish line. This will happen to you and other family members at various locations

Race Tips:

Don't do a marathon in a city where the local authorities are rotten to the core.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

You're not allowed to help your loved ones after the race. They have to hobble along for quite a way before they reach an area where you can reunite with them. So if they're feeling faint or unwell after the race then you're not going to know what happened to them if they should succumb to their injuries
Reviewed by DT About 2024

Full Review:

What I Liked:
1) Well spaced and plentiful aid stations supplied with gatorade, water and gu gels. Volunteers were ready to hand out the fluids as runners passed
2) Didn't know what to think of the out and back, but it really helped with the pacing and knowing where fellow competitors were as I neared the turnaround
3) Impressed with the post race with a variety of food options, recovery stations, etc.

What I did not Like:
1) 6 Am start time was a little early, but was needed for me to be with the faster runners as the faster start time was then for a rolling start which was between 6-7:30 Am for the marathon

Race Tips:

1) It may have been just been because of covid, but if you expect to place or compete for a top 3 age group finish opt for the 6 Am time.
2) Expect to have multiple road crossings, and possibly have drivers ignore the stop signs given by volunteers happened twice as drivers ignored the volunteers or were not paying attention
3) Course is mainly on the York Heritage trail, so expect some people on bikes or other people on the path that may provide obstacles that are not involved in the race.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

With the rolling start parking was no problem as most people wouldn't want to get there at 5:20 AM. However, after the race I notice there was still some available parking, and they provide information on parking that is a block from both the starting and finish lines
Reviewed by RWY About 2022

Poor Race Support

Full Review:

Easy to get to the start, especially with the rolling start. I really hope they do away with that though. I get that they did it for Covid reasons, and I really respect and appreciate that. But it's just not a conducive way to start a marathon. It really lacks that adrenaline and hype you need. The course support was horrible. People at the water stations weren't handing out waters, they were just seated. They weren't even cheering for the runners. There were people directing traffic, but they didn't tell runners where to go. I actually started to run the wrong way at one part.

Race Tips:

It's very flat and very small. I felt like I was just going out for a run by myself; it didn't feel like a race at all. Really just disappointed by the course support.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

The bib and shirt pick-up is incredibly easy. I really like the little draw string backpack from this race if that's any consolation. Probably the best one I've ever received.
Reviewed by TK About 2022

Small, flat race with tons of support

Full Review:

I had never run a flat course before this one. And never a trail race. I had no idea what to expect. The volunteers were incredibly supportive. Enthusiastic, though spread out spectators. Plenty of water stops, with gel provided. Gorgeous scenery. I love the rail trail location. A bit of a tight squeeze at first, but the pack thinned as the race continued. There's a tunnel! Dark enough to be fun without risk to runners. Compacted crushed substrate was way easier on the knees than typical asfault. Good food spread after the race, and showers available. Bag check available too. A fast race. I PR'd by 21 minutes with only five weeks between races. Will make a point to run this race again!

Race Tips:

Train on flats. I was very well trained for hills, but this course is very flat. That's a different type of wear and tear on the knees. Practice a bit of trail running if you can. Otherwise the surface might slow you. I did fine with just a few trail runs off and on.

Arrive a bit early to make parking easier. Bring all your bags with you and check them to avoid a trip to your car.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I parked right by the finish line. That worked well for me.
Reviewed by LNW About 2018

I will definitely run in 2019

Full Review:

This was an excellent marathon. The trail surface was easy on the joints. The race was well run. Scenery was beautiful, the weather was great. I will definitely run in 2019
Reviewed by BC About 2018

Full Review:

This course is flat and scenic. Starts in the lovely small city of York, Pa, then after mile one it transitions to a rail trail. At mile 13.1 you turn around and run the same route back. The 6 am start was early but we stayed at lovely old Yorktown Hotel which was 5 block walk to start/finish. The race was well run and had more volunteers than runners.

Race Tips:

This is a low budget affair compared to the big marathons like NY or Boston. It's a great race for qualifying or getting a pr, but you'll need to be self motivated because there isn't a crowd of spectators to cheer you on.

Lots of wonderful restaurants within walking distance and Yorktown Hotel is perfect race hotel.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Parking is available right at the YMCA where race starts. If you stay at Yorktown Hotel there is free parking in the parking garage across the street. White Rose a Tavern was a lively spot for dinner and food was delicious and inexpensive.
Reviewed by GT About 2016