Marathon Focus

Boston Qualifier Marathons

Boston Qualifier marathons are US-certified races where a strong performance can count toward Boston Marathon entry — provided you beat your age-group standard within the registration window. This hub lists outdoor, full-distance US marathons that meet B.A.A. qualifying-event rules on course certification, field size, less than 120 metres of total climbing, and net-downhill limits. Always confirm current USATF certification with the race organiser before you register.

46 marathons are featured here, including established BQ destinations like Chicago, Houston, and Sacramento. For the fastest options, see our fast marathons hub.

Boston itself requires a qualifying time to enter; the races here are where runners earn that ticket.

Chicago Marathon
Chicago, Illinois, United StatesWorld Marathon Major

Chicago Marathon

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon winds through 29 diverse neighbourhoods of the Windy City. Known for its flat, fast course and enthusiastic Midwest crowds, Chicago has hosted landmark performances including Kelvin Kiptum's previous men's world record (2:00:35, 2023) and Ruth Chepngetich's all-time women's record (2:09:56, 2024). It remains a favourite for runners chasing Boston qualifying times.

Next race: Sunday, 11 October 2026

Walt Disney World Marathon
Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States

Walt Disney World Marathon

The Walt Disney World Marathon is runDisney's flagship event, sending roughly 18,000 runners through all four Walt Disney World theme parks in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Participants start in the pre-dawn dark outside EPCOT and run through Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney's Hollywood Studios with character meet-and-greets, park audio, and themed aid stations along the way. The January race weekend is a destination event for runners who want a marathon wrapped in Disney spectacle.

Next race: Sunday, 3 January 2027

Every Woman's Marathon
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Every Woman's Marathon

The Every Woman's Marathon draws approximately 4,300 finishers each November on a desert urban road in Scottsdale, United States. It rotates U.S. host cities annually and was built specifically to celebrate women runners at scale. The course passes downtown streets, local parks, and signature landmarks of the current host city — recent editions have included Savannah and Scottsdale. Downtown streets, local parks, and signature host-city landmarks rotate annually as this women-focused November race celebrates runners at scale on a largely flat course.

Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026

Yuengling Shamrock Marathon
Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

Yuengling Shamrock Marathon

The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon is a beloved Virginia Beach tradition, drawing approximately 4,200 finishers each March along the Atlantic Ocean boardwalk. The out-and-back course follows the Virginia Beach oceanfront past the Neptune statue, the Fishing Pier, and the resort strip with flat coastal pavement throughout. March's cool Atlantic coast weather and post-race Shamrock party make it a classic East Coast spring marathon.

Next race: Saturday, 20 March 2027

Rock n Roll New Orleans Marathon
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Rock n Roll New Orleans Marathon

The Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon attracts approximately 2,800 finishers each February through the Crescent City with live music at every mile. The course passes the French Quarter, Garden District mansions, and the Mississippi River levee on flat Louisiana terrain. February's mild Mardi Gras season weather and the city's unmatched post-race culture make it America's most festive winter marathon.

Next race: Saturday, 27 February 2027

Napa Valley Marathon
Calistoga, California, United States

Napa Valley Marathon

The Napa Valley Marathon draws approximately 2,500 finishers each March on a point-to-point road in Calistoga, United States. It is one of the most famous wine-country marathons in the world and stays intentionally low-key despite strong demand. The course passes vineyards, winery estates, and quiet Silverado Trail miles backed by low hills. Vineyards, winery estates, and quiet Silverado Trail miles backed by low hills make March's point-to-point race one of the world's most famous wine-country marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027

Phoenix Marathon
Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Phoenix Marathon

The Phoenix Marathon draws approximately 2,372 finishers each December on a desert urban road in Phoenix, United States. Organizers of the Mesa Marathon launched this December sibling race, which exceeded 2,300 marathon finishers in its first edition. The course runs from South Mountain through the Salt River trail corridor, downtown past the Arizona State Capitol and ASU Downtown, Hance Park, and midtown streets. South Mountain descents, Salt River trails, and downtown streets past the Arizona Capitol carry December's desert marathon through Phoenix on a largely flat route.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Missoula Marathon
Missoula, Montana, United States

Missoula Marathon

The Missoula Marathon draws approximately 2,200 finishers each June on a point-to-point valley road in Missoula, United States. Its small-city atmosphere and fast terrain give it an outsized reputation among experienced marathoners. The route passes ranch land, the Clark Fork valley, and a fast final approach into Missoula's core. Ranch land, the Clark Fork valley, and a fast final approach into Missoula's core give June's point-to-point race an outsized reputation on quick valley roads.

Next race: Sunday, 6 June 2027

Rocket City Marathon
Huntsville, Alabama, United States

Rocket City Marathon

The Rocket City Marathon draws approximately 2,200 finishers each December on an urban road in Huntsville, United States. Few U.S. races lean into aerospace identity as fully as this long-running Alabama marathon. The course passes the U.S. Space & Rocket Center district, older neighborhoods, and broad roads under the Appalachian foothills. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center district, older neighborhoods, and broad roads under Appalachian foothills carry December's Alabama marathon deep into aerospace identity.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Louisiana Marathon
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Louisiana Marathon

The Louisiana Marathon draws approximately 2,000 finishers each January on an urban road in Baton Rouge, United States. Its festival-style finish and winter date make it one of the Gulf South's anchor marathons. The route passes the State Capitol, LSU-area roads, and river-city neighborhoods lined with live oaks. The State Capitol, LSU-area roads, and river-city neighborhoods lined with live oaks anchor January's festival-style finish as one of the Gulf South's anchor marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 3 January 2027

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon honours the 168 victims of the 1995 Murrah Building bombing, drawing approximately 1,951 finishers each April. The course passes the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the Bricktown district, and the Oklahoma River trails on flat prairie terrain. April's Oklahoma spring and the race's powerful remembrance mission make it one of America's most meaningful marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 25 April 2027

Famous Idaho Potato Marathon
Boise, Idaho, United States

Famous Idaho Potato Marathon

The Famous Idaho Potato Marathon draws approximately 1,600 finishers each May on an urban and greenbelt road in Boise, United States. The event's branding is playful, but the course is a serious spring marathon with a loyal regional following. The course passes the Boise River Greenbelt, city parklands, and tree-lined streets with foothill views. The Boise River Greenbelt, city parklands, and tree-lined streets with foothill views carry May's playful but serious spring marathon through Idaho's capital.

Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027

Santa Rosa Marathon
Santa Rosa, California, United States

Santa Rosa Marathon

The Santa Rosa Marathon draws approximately 1,600 finishers each August on a wine-country road in Santa Rosa, United States. Its summer date works because the race begins early before Sonoma County heat builds. The route passes vineyard-lined roads, rural bike paths, and shaded stretches along Santa Rosa Creek. Vineyard-lined roads, rural bike paths, and shaded stretches along Santa Rosa Creek make August's early-start Sonoma County race workable before summer heat builds.

Next race: Sunday, 2 August 2026

Wilmington Marathon
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

Wilmington Marathon

The Wilmington Marathon draws approximately 1,600 finishers each February on an urban and coastal road in Wilmington, United States. The point-to-point design links beach scenery with a historic downtown finish in one of the South's best weather windows. The route passes Intracoastal Waterway stretches, Airlie-area roads, and the Cape Fear River in the final miles. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 7 February 2027

Fox Cities Marathon
Appleton, Wisconsin, United States

Fox Cities Marathon

The Fox Cities Marathon draws approximately 1,400 finishers each September on an urban and suburban road in Appleton, United States. Linking several Wisconsin communities gives the event a bigger footprint than its finisher count suggests. The course passes Fox River communities, tree-lined neighborhood roads, and steady crowd support through the valley cities. Fox River communities, tree-lined neighborhood roads, and steady crowd support through Wisconsin's valley cities give September's race a bigger footprint than its finisher count.

Next race: Sunday, 6 September 2026