Published by FindMyMarathon.com
May 3, 2025
The quest for the ideal marathon is a personal journey. Whether you're chasing a Boston Qualifier, seeking a scenic trail run, or aiming for a personal best on a flat course in mild weather, FindMyMarathon.com offers a suite of powerful search tools designed to help you pinpoint the race that perfectly aligns with your goals and preferences. Let's explore how you can leverage the Advanced Search, Location Search, and State Search features to discover your next unforgettable 26.2 miles. No matter which tool you choose, your results appear both on an interactive map and in a sortable list—so you can see where your dream race lives, then instantly compare date, field size, weather, and PR-friendliness, and much more.
https://findmymarathon.com/marathon-advanced-search.php
If you already know the characteristics you want—flat & fast, big field, cool temperatures, a point-to-point course—Advanced Search is your one-stop shop. Here’s what you can filter on:
Once you’ve chosen your criteria, the interactive map instantly populates with clickable markers. Each marker opens a quick-view snapshot of that race—date, elevation profile, average temperature, Boston-qualifier percentage, and PR Score—right in the pop-up. Scroll down to see the matching races in a list you can sort by date, field size, temperature, or PR Score. The Advanced Search tool is ideal runners who prioritize specific race characteristics over location.
Location Search: Find Your Backyard (or Anywhere You Want)https://findmymarathon.com/marathon-advanced-search.php
If geography matters as much as course features, the Location Search tool combines all the same filters above with a radius-based search around any address, city, or ZIP code you enter. Want a net-downhill marathon within 100 miles of Denver? Looking for a point-to-point, cool-weather race within 50 miles of Chicago? Just type in “Chicago, IL”, set your radius, then layer on your advanced criteria.
Like Advanced Search, results drop pins on the map—and you can zoom or pan to see exactly how far each race is from your home, race-cation spot or destination city. The sortable list below lets you immediately rank by race date, field size, expected temperature, or PR Score. Location Search is ideal for runners who want to explore local options or blend travel-planning with race selection.
State Search: Run Every State (or Province)https://findmymarathon.com/state.php
The State Search tool caters to runners with a particular state or province in mind. Whether you're aiming to complete a marathon in every state for the 50 State Marathon Club or simply want to explore the running scene in a specific region, this tool is your gateway.
Pick your state, then refine by month, course type, elevation, surface, BQ status, temperature, field size, and PR Score. The map pins move to show only that state’s races, and the results list orders itself however you prefer. This tool is fantastic for runners who have a target state in mind—whether it’s your home base, your next travel destination, or simply the one you haven’t crossed off your checklist yet.
Once you’ve zeroed in on a handful of races with any of these tools, click through to each race’s dedicated page for:
And if you are torn between a few promising options, our Compare Marathons tool (https://findmymarathon.com/compare-marathons.php) offers a fantastic side-by-side analysis. Simply select two races you're considering, and the tool will present a direct comparison of their key features, including course type, elevation, average temperature, number of finishers, PR Score, and everything else found on Race Detail pages. This allows you to easily identify the subtle differences and make an informed decision based on your priorities.
Finding the ideal marathon can significantly enhance your racing experience. By utilizing the Advanced Search, Location Search, and State Search tools on FindMyMarathon.com, you can move beyond simply finding a race and instead discover the perfect race for your unique goals and preferences. Start exploring today and take the next step towards your most rewarding finish line yet!
Happy hunting—and happy running!
Next StepsOnce you find your perfect marathon, use our Race Hotels & Vrbos listing to find the best accommodations and order a race-specific Pace Band to help you reach your goals.
