Marathon · BQ guide

Pennsylvania Boston Qualifier Marathons

Pennsylvania gives Boston-focused runners a wide range of course styles, including a major city race, smaller regional events, lakeside roads, rail trails, and downhill routes. Field size, elevation profile, and race timing are the useful separators when building a shortlist.

Showing all 15 races in this collection. Updated August 2026.

Notable race guides: Erie Marathon, AACR Philadelphia Marathon, Steamtown Marathon, and Pocono Mountains Marathon.

How to use this Boston qualifier list

Qualification applies to the certified full-marathon course and relevant race edition. A qualifying finish must fall inside the applicable window, meeting the standard allows a runner to apply but does not guarantee entry, and the B.A.A. can adjust times from net-downhill courses. Review the current Boston qualifying times and downhill-course rules, then compare the full Boston qualifier race calendar.

  1. 01Erie MarathonSunday, September 13, 2026Erie, PennsylvaniaBQErie Marathon is a flat Presque Isle qualifier known for even pacing, lakefront weather, and a focused September field chasing fast marathon times.GuideResults
  2. 02Wicked Fast Marathon PoconosSunday, September 13, 2026Lehighton, PennsylvaniaBQA net-downhill point-to-point on the D&L Trail, dropping 680 feet from Lehigh Gorge to Lehighton on a certified course built for qualifying times.Guide
  3. 03Pocono Mountains MarathonSaturday, October 10, 2026Greentown, PennsylvaniaBQA two-loop marathon on paved park roads in the Poconos, run at 1,760 feet with minimal hills, aid every two miles, and mid-October foliage timing.Guide
  4. 04Steamtown MarathonSunday, October 11, 2026Scranton, PennsylvaniaBQSteamtown Marathon gives runners a fast northeastern Pennsylvania course into Scranton, with downhill sections and qualifier-race tradition.GuideResults
  7. 07AACR Philadelphia MarathonSunday, November 22, 2026Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaBQFast, 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.GuideResults
  8. 08Two Rivers Marathon Race FestivalSaturday, April 3, 2027Lackawaxen, PennsylvaniaBQTwo Rivers Marathon Race Festival is a BQ-focused Lackawaxen road marathon weekend with fast Saturday racing, cold-weather risk, and a small-field feel.GuideResults
  9. 09Gettysburg North South MarathonSunday, April 25, 2027Gettysburg, PennsylvaniaBQGettysburg North South Marathon leaves the battlefield roads behind for hillier Adams County back roads and a cross-state loop into Maryland.GuideResults
  11. 11Great Allegheny Ohiopyle MarathonSaturday, May 1, 2027Ohiopyle, PennsylvaniaBQGreat Allegheny Ohiopyle gives runners a certified crushed-limestone trail marathon on the GAP corridor, with early-start flexibility and live results.GuideResults
  12. 12Pittsburgh MarathonSunday, May 2, 2027Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaBQPittsburgh Marathon is a major regional city race built around bridges, neighborhood support, and a course that runs tougher than the postcard version.GuideResults
  13. 13York MarathonSunday, May 2, 2027York, PennsylvaniaBQYork Marathon gives central Pennsylvania a certified rail-trail-heavy course, YMCA production, and a fast early-May BQ target with limited entries.GuideResults
  14. 14God's Country MarathonSaturday, June 5, 2027Coudersport, PennsylvaniaBQGod's Country Marathon runs point to point from Galeton to Coudersport, with the sustained climb over Denton Hill defining this historic Pennsylvania full.Guide
  15. 15Conquer the Canyon MarathonSaturday, July 24, 2027Wellsboro, PennsylvaniaBQConquer the Canyon Marathon gives Pennsylvania runners a summer race festival near Wellsboro, with canyon-country scenery and multiple distances.GuideResults