Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

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Athens Marathon

Athens, OH
Sunday, April 11, 2027


  2.5 Stars from 4 Reviews

Course Description
The Athens Marathon is an out and back course primarily (~23 miles) on a paved multi-use trail (Hocking Adena Bikeway).





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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Sunday, April 11, 2027
2026: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Mostly Out and Back
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: No


Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 52°F (11°C)
Average High: 63°F (17°C)
Average Low: 41° F (5°C)





PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.63
Course Score: 99.63


Race Size

2026: 224 Finishers
2025: 216 Finishers
2024: 199 Finishers
2023: 164 Finishers
2022: 139 Finishers
2021: No Results

BQ Percentages

2026: 18.3%
2025: 12.5%
2024: 11.6%
2023: 5.5%
2022: 13.7%
2021: N/A


Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 12 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 69°F  (21°C)
Low: 44°F  (7°C)

Race Start Conditions

51°F  (11°C)
Humidity: 70%

Clear
WNW 7 mph

PR Score

98.76

Course Score

99.63









Athens Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Athens Marathon was the 250th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 242nd largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 18.3% of Athens Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 12.5% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Athens Marathon ranked 103rd among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 34th so far in 2026. In Ohio, it ranked 5th in 2025 and 4th so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Athens Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.


The Athens Marathon has a Course Score of 99.63, ranking it as the 74th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest marathon course in Ohio.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Athens Marathon a PR Score of 99.63. The PR Score ranks the Athens Marathon as the 57th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 1st best marathon for a PR in Ohio.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Athens Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Ohio for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Athens Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed74th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 1st fastest marathon course in Ohio
Top 16% Nationally#1 of 14 in Ohio
PR Potential57th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 1st best marathon for a PR in Ohio
Top 13% Nationally#1 of 14 in Ohio
Boston Qualifier Rate103rd highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 5th highest BQ percentage in Ohio
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 22% Nationally#5 of 13 in Ohio
Race Size250th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 9th largest marathon in Ohio
Based on 2025 results
Top 43% Nationally#9 of 17 in Ohio

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.




Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 708 feet (215m)
Min Elevation: 636 feet (193m)

Elevation Gain: 244 feet (74m)
Elevation Loss: 304 feet (92m)


Athens

Course updated 03/02/2024





Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Athens Marathon

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Compare the Athens Marathon to other Marathons

Use tools below to compare races and convert times across courses.

Do you want to see how the Athens Marathon stacks up against other marathons?

Compare the details of the Athens Marathon side-by-side with other marathons with our Comparison Tool.


If you ran the Athens Marathon in 4:06:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

See how your finish time would compare on other marathon courses with our Time Conversion Tool.




Race Reviews


2.5
Based on 4 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Do not run this race

Full Review:

Paid an in person race price and was transferred to virtual without the option of deferral or refund for the difference. They didn't even file for a permit to host the race so it seems like they floated an in person race concept to get more cash flow before switching to virtual only. They haven't responded to public outrage which is why I think it's necessary to post this. Everything about this race looked great, but it's hard to think about supporting an organization that took advantage of the race starved community.

Took our money and Ran!

Full Review:

I signed up for this marathon before covid was a big deal in 2020. When the race director decided to cancel the 2020 marathon for safety concerns, I was disappointed. But, I felt that was a good choice. Runners were given the option to defer to the 2021 race. I was excited for this option. I started prepping and had a hotel booked for the 2021 race. The race director decided to cancel the 2021 race because of covid. I again, understand the reason to cancel. However, there was NO deferring any entries to the 2022 race. They literally took everyone's money and ran. Not very professional at all. The only option was to complete a virtual run, which is what no one signed up for. I would have liked to defer my entry to 2022, but those involved where only interested in the money. I would suggest that no one run this race in the future as way to show everyone who was involved in the decision to just take peoples money that a race is nothing without the runners.

Great Race!

Full Review:

Small Marathon without the crowds you find at the larger races. You can park right next to the finish line so it's an easy, but painful walk in my case to my car. You must bring your own gel's but there is plenty of aid stations with water or energy drink on the course. Very flat and fast course. Easy on the legs with no up hills at all. I used this marathon as my BQ and was able to achieve my goal time. After the race they had free massages for all runners which was a great added benefit to running this race.

Great Experience!

Race Tips:

Bring your own Gel.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Park near the finish line and walk the 1/2 mile up to the start line.

Full Review:

The course is very flat (first 200 meters is down hill) and the rest is on a flat bike trail with the finish being on a track.

Race Tips:

The mile markers on the course and mostly out of place or non existent. Bring your own GU and refreshments because there was very little Gatorade and water throughout the course.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

You can park right next to the start or by the track where you finish.