Meeting the Boston Marathon qualifying standard is an important milestone, but it does not guarantee a spot on the starting line. For the 2024 and 2025 races, runners needed to finish 5:29 and 6:51 faster than their qualifying times to earn acceptance. Even after the B.A.A. tightened the standards for most age groups by five minutes for 2026, runners still needed to beat the new, faster qualifying times by 4 minutes and 34 seconds to secure their place in Hopkinton.
With every second counting, choosing the right marathon is an important part of your BQ plan. We’ve compiled the Best Boston Marathon Qualifying Races in Each State for 2026 to help you find fast, well-organized races that offer a strong opportunity to meet your qualifying standard—and build a buffer against the cutoff. Whether you’re searching close to home or planning a destination race, this state-by-state guide, along with our 50 Best Marathons to Qualify for Boston in 2026, can help you choose where to chase your next BQ. And if Boston isn’t your goal, these quality, PR-worthy marathons are excellent choices for pursuing a new personal best.
| State | Race |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Rocket City Marathon |
| Alaska | Mayor's Marathon |
| Arizona | Mesa Marathon |
| Arkansas | Little Rock Marathon |
| California | California International Marathon |
| Colorado | Colorado Marathon |
| Connecticut | Hartford Marathon |
| Delaware | Rehoboth Beach Marathon |
| Florida | Jacksonville Marathon |
| Georgia | Classic City Marathon |
| Hawaii | Maui Marathon |
| Idaho | Coeur d'Alene Marathon |
| Illinois | Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon |
| Indiana | Indianapolis Monumental Marathon |
| Iowa | Des Moines Marathon |
| Kansas | Salina Crossroads Marathon |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Marathon |
| Maine | Sugarloaf Marathon |
| Maryland | Baltimore Marathon |
| Massachusetts | Baystate Marathon |
| Michigan | Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon |
| Minnesota | Grandma's Marathon |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon |
| Missouri | St. Louis Marathon |
| State | Race |
|---|---|
| Montana | Missoula Marathon |
| Nebraska | Lincoln Marathon |
| Nevada | Revel Mt. Charleston Marathon |
| New Hampshire | Cheap Marathon |
| New Jersey | Jersey City Marathon |
| New Mexico | Duke City Marathon |
| New York | Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon |
| North Carolina | Tobacco Road Marathon |
| North Dakota | Fargo Marathon |
| Ohio | Glass City Marathon |
| Oklahoma | Route 66 Marathon |
| Oregon | Eugene Marathon |
| Pennsylvania | Erie Marathon |
| Rhode Island | Newport Rhode Races Marathon |
| South Carolina | Myrtle Beach Marathon |
| South Dakota | Sioux Falls Marathon |
| Tennessee | St. Jude Memphis Marathon |
| Texas | Houston Marathon |
| Utah | Utah Valley Marathon |
| Vermont | Vermont City Marathon |
| Virginia | Newport News One City Marathon |
| Washington | Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon |
| Washington, D.C. | Potomac River Run Marathon |
| West Virginia | Marshall University Marathon |
| Wisconsin | Epic Marathon |
| Wyoming | Jackson Hole Marathon |
If your race is listed above, celebrate your recognition as one of the Best Boston Marathon Qualifying Races for 2026. Download your award badge for social media and promotional materials, or copy the embed code to display it on your race website.