2026 Boston Marathon Qualifiers

Marathon Scout keeps the most accurate runner-first index of Boston Marathon qualifying races. Because the Boston Athletic Association doesn't publish an official list, we vet every course against the B.A.A.'s certification guidance, confirm date status, and link out to official registration and results files below.

St. Jude Memphis Marathon

Next race: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Course intel: Downtown Memphis marathon from Beale Street through Midtown, Overton Park and the St. Jude campus; rolling hills, huge crowd support and cool December weather.

California International Marathon (CIM)

Next race: Sunday, December 7, 2025
Location: Sacramento, California
Course intel: Net-downhill, point-to-point from Folsom Dam to the State Capitol. Cool December temps and a flat final 10K make CIM a PR-friendly, Boston-qualifying race.

Honolulu Marathon

Next race: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Course intel: Scenic Honolulu marathon from Ala Moana past Waikiki and Diamond Head; ocean views, warm December weather and a certified course that is more tough than fast.

Ascension Seton Austin Marathon

Next race: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Location: Austin, Texas
Course intel: Austin's signature February marathon with live music, rolling hills, and a downtown finish at the Texas State Capitol, plus half marathon and 5K.

Tokyo Marathon

Next race: Sunday, March 1, 2026
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Course intel: Fast, crowd-lined tour of central Tokyo that opens the Majors season. Cool early-spring weather, superb logistics, and iconic city sights make it PR-friendly.

Boston Marathon

Next race: Monday, April 20, 2026
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Course intel: Historic, qualifier-driven point-to-point from Hopkinton to Boston. Rolling Newton hills, Heartbreak Hill, and roaring Patriots’ Day crowds reward smart pacing.

TCS London Marathon

Next race: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Location: London, United Kingdom
Course intel: Flat-and-fast from Greenwich to The Mall; roaring crowds at Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace, plus Canary Wharf; huge charity participation.

Buffalo Marathon

Next race: Sunday, May 24, 2026
Location: Buffalo, New York
Course intel: Fast, scenic Memorial Day weekend marathon in downtown Buffalo, New York, with a convenient start/finish, waterfront views and Boston-qualifying course.

TCS Sydney Marathon

Next race: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Location: Sydney, Australia
Course intel: New Major on Sydney Harbour: start in North Sydney, cross the Harbour Bridge, tour CBD and bays, and finish by the Opera House; cool late-winter PR conditions.

BMW Berlin Marathon

Next race: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Location: Berlin, Germany
Course intel: Record-friendly major: pancake-flat streets, few turns and cool late-September weather; central loop finishing through the Brandenburg Gate rewards even pacing.

Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Next race: Sunday, October 11, 2026
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Course intel: Flat, fast one-loop tour of 29 neighborhoods with big mid-October crowds; Grant Park start/finish and frequent aid stations make it prime for PRs and BQs.

TCS New York City Marathon

Next race: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Location: New York, New York
Course intel: An iconic run through all five boroughs, the NYC Marathon combines roaring crowds, bridge climbs, and citywide energy into a bucket‑list race for runners.

CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

Next race: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Course intel: Fast, flat November race through downtown Indianapolis; USATF-certified, PR-friendly, and a top U.S. Boston-qualifier with big crowds and crisp conditions.

Madison Marathon presented by SSM Health

Next race: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Course intel: Scenic, moderately hilly tour of Madison's lakes and UW campus with a Capitol Square start/finish, USATF-certified Boston-qualifier and cool November temps.

AACR Philadelphia Marathon

Next race: Sunday, November 22, 2026
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Course intel: Fast, scenic marathon with Center City, Fairmount Park and Schuylkill River views; cool November weather and a certified course make it great for PRs and BQs.

Williams Route 66 Marathon

Next race: Sunday, November 23, 2025
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Course intel: Rolling Tulsa marathon on historic Route 66 with block-party crowds, rolling hills, cool November weather and a USATF-certified Boston-qualifying course.

Marabana – Havana Marathon

Next race: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Location: Havana, Cuba
Course intel: Caribbean city marathon through Havana’s central avenues with AIMS-certified loops, warm November heat, sea views and a lively Cuban street-party feel.

Palermo Marathon

Next race: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Location: Palermo, Italy
Course intel: Scenic Palermo city marathon through historic streets, parks and seafront, FIDAL-certified and Boston-qualifying with mild Mediterranean November temperatures.

Verona Run Marathon

Next race: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Location: Verona, Italy
Course intel: Fast city marathon from Bentegodi Stadium to Piazza Bra on mostly flat certified roads along the Adige River, cool November air and classic Verona scenery.

Allianz Richmond Marathon

Next race: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Course intel: Riverfront Richmond marathon with a downhill finish and rolling, certified miles. Cool mid-November weather and smooth ops make it a reliable PR/BQ opportunity.

Novant Health Charlotte Marathon

Next race: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Course intel: Uptown start and a city tour through Dilworth, Myers Park, and Plaza Midwood. Rolling hills, big crowds, and crisp November weather reward smart pacing.