This list ranks the fastest marathons in based on the race's Course Score. The Course Score for each marathon is created from an algorithm derived from research on how grade and elevation affect marathon running performance (race time weather is not factored in). For more detailed information, please visit the FAQ.
The BQ % is the percentage of runners who qualified for the Boston Marathon according to the latest race results. Although it is not always indicative of a fast or slow course, the percent of Boston Marathon qualifiers can provide insight into the quality of the field and/or the speed of the course.
To see a ranking of marathons based on the weather factors, in addition to the course characteristics, visit the Fastest Marathons page.
The list only includes certified marathon courses. Keep in mind that Course Scores and ranking assume very good course management and pacing - especially for the extremely downhill races.
| Race Name | Course Score | BQ % | Elevation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | REVEL Mt. Charleston MarathonLas Vegas, NV 04/05/2025 | | |
 Downhill Course |
| 2 | Jim Thorpe MarathonJim Thorpe, PA 04/27/2025 | | |
Downhill Course |
| 3 | Mountains 2 Beach MarathonVentura, CA 04/13/2025 | | |
Downhill Course |
| 4 | Vernonia MarathonBanks, OR 04/14/2024 | | |
Downhill Course |
| 5 | Gopher Attack MarathonRegina, SK 04/28/2024 | | |
 Very Flat Course |
| 6 | Tidewater Strider MarathonChesapeake, VA 04/21/2024 | | |
Very Flat Course |
| 7 | Queens MarathonQueens, NY 04/07/2024 | | |
 Mostly Flat Course |
| 8 | Athens MarathonAthens, OH 04/13/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 9 | Boston MarathonBoston, MA 04/21/2025 | | |
Downhill Course |
| 10 | Coastal Delaware Running Festival MarathonRehoboth Beach, DE 04/13/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 11 | London MarathonLondon, UK 04/27/2025 | | Mostly Flat Course |
|
| 12 | Mississauga MarathonMississauga, ON 04/27/2025 | | |
Downhill Course |
| 13 | Spring Chance BQ.2 MarathonGeneva, IL 04/12/2025 | | |
Very Flat Course |
| 14 | Salisbury MarathonSalisbury, MD 04/06/2024 | | |
 Rolling Course |
| 15 | St. Lawrence MarathonCornwall, ON 04/26/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 16 | Brew City MarathonMilwaukee, WI 04/19/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 17 | Martian MarathonDearborn, MI 04/13/2024 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 18 | Jersey City MarathonJersey City, NJ 04/13/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 19 | Alexander the Great MarathonPella, GR 04/06/2025 | | Rolling Course |
|
| 20 | Kentucky Derby Festival MarathonLouisville, KY 04/26/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 21 | Glass City MarathonToledo, OH 04/27/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 22 | Illinois MarathonChampaign-Urbana, IL 04/26/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 23 | Ohio River Road Runners Club MarathonXenia, OH 04/07/2024 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 24 | Maui MarathonKahului, HI 04/27/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 25 | Greater St. Louis MarathonSt. Louis, MO 04/26/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 26 | Cheap MarathonDerry, NH 04/05/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 27 | Eugene MarathonEugene, OR 04/27/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 28 | Paris MarathonParis, FR 04/13/2025 | | Rolling Course |
|
| 29 | Eisenhower MarathonAbilene, KS 04/27/2024 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 30 | Carmel MarathonCarmel, IN 04/19/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 31 | Frisco MarathonWillard, MO 04/27/2024 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 32 | Hamburg MarathonHamburg, GR 04/27/2025 | | Rolling Course |
|
| 33 | Golden Driller MarathonTulsa, OK 04/19/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 34 | Wenatchee MarathonWenatchee, WA 04/19/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 35 | Milwaukee MarathonMilwaukee, WI 04/12/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 36 | Eau Claire MarathonEau Claire, WI 04/27/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 37 | Yakima River Canyon MarathonEllensburg, WA 04/06/2024 | | |
Downhill Course |
| 38 | Victory MarathonHillsdale, IN 04/06/2024 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 39 | Trailbreaker MarathonWaukesha, WI 04/06/2025 | | |
Mostly Flat Course |
| 40 | Oklahoma City Memorial MarathonOklahoma City, OK 04/27/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 41 | Rock n Roll Nashville MarathonNashville, TN 04/26/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 42 | Garmin Olathe MarathonOlathe, KS 04/26/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 43 | Chasing Jefferson Davis MarathonAbbeville, GA 04/13/2024 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 44 | Newport Rhode Races MarathonNewport, RI 04/19/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 45 | Hogeye MarathonSpringdale, AR 04/12/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 46 | Horse Capital MarathonLexington, KY 04/12/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 47 | Andrew Jackson MarathonJackson, TN 04/06/2024 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 48 | Delaware MarathonWilmington, DE 04/06/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 49 | Big Sur International MarathonCarmel, CA 04/27/2025 | | |
 Hilly Course |
| 50 | Knoxville MarathonKnoxville, TN 04/06/2025 | | |
Rolling Course |
| 51 | Salt Lake City MarathonSalt Lake City, UT 04/26/2025 | | |
Downhill Course |
| 52 | Gettysburg North-South MarathonGettysburg, PA 04/27/2025 | | |
Hilly Course |
| 53 | Connemara International MarathonGalway, IE 04/27/2025 | |  Very Hilly Course |
|
| 54 | Whidbey Island MarathonOak Harbor, WA 04/21/2024 | | |
Hilly Course |
| 55 | Bend MarathonBend, OR 04/13/2025 | | |
Hilly Course |
| 56 | Blue Ridge MarathonRoanoke, VA 04/12/2025 | | |
Very Hilly Course |
