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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

It's here! Our annual list of the year's
best marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.

2026 IS HERE!



B and A Marathon

Severna Park, MD
Sunday, March 29, 2026


  4 Stars from 3 Reviews

Course Description
The B & A Trail course is mostly flat and can be a good course to PR on or qualify for the Boston Marathon (BQ).

The course is an out-and-back on mostly on a rails to trails path. The first mile of the marathon course is on residential streets and the remainder is on the B & A Trail which is an asphalt bike and running path. The course is on gentle railroad grade and only has one moderate hill at mile seven.

The typical race day temperature is conducive for fast marathon times. However, it is early Spring or late Winter (depending on the race date) in the northern Mid-Atlantic, so chilly weather is possible.

March Other Marathons in March Other Marathons in Maryland Marathons near Severna Park, MD



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Sunday, March 29, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: 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: 58°F (14°C)
Average Low: 46° F (7°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 98.75
Course Score: 98.75

Race Size

2026: 320 Finishers
2025: 312 Finishers
2024: 286 Finishers
2023: 249 Finishers
2022: 208 Finishers
2021: No Results

BQ Percentages

2026: 15.9%
2025: 11.5%
2024: 22%
2023: 18.1%
2022: 18.3%
2021: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 13 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 53°F  (12°C)
Low: 38°F  (3°C)

Race Start Conditions

42°F  (6°C)
Humidity: 69%

Clear
N 9 mph

PR Score

98.19

Course Score

98.3






B and A Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The B and A Marathon was the 202nd largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 197th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 15.9% of B and A Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 11.5% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the B and A Marathon ranked 111th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 33rd so far in 2026. In Maryland, it ranked 4th in 2025 and 1st so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the B and A Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The B and A Marathon has a Course Score of 98.75, ranking it as the 265th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 6th fastest marathon course in Maryland.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the B and A Marathon a PR Score of 98.75. The PR Score ranks the B and A Marathon as the 203rd best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 5th best marathon for a PR in Maryland.

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

B and A Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed265th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 6th fastest marathon course in Maryland
Top 58% Nationally#6 of 7 in Maryland
PR Potential203rd best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 5th best marathon for a PR in Maryland
Top 44% Nationally#5 of 7 in Maryland
Boston Qualifier Rate111th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 4th highest BQ percentage in Maryland
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 24% Nationally#4 of 10 in Maryland
Race Size202nd largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd largest marathon in Maryland
Based on 2025 results
Top 35% Nationally#3 of 11 in Maryland

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



Elevation Chart

Max Elevation: 128 feet (39m)
Min Elevation: 28 feet (8m)


B

Course updated 03/21/2026




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Compare the B and A Marathon to other Marathons

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

Do you want to see how the B and A Marathon stacks up against other marathons?

Compare the details of the B and A Marathon side-by-side with other marathons with our Comparison Tool.


Comparison Tool

If you ran the B and A Marathon in 4:03:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

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


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Race Reviews


4.0
Based on 3 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Not the best

Full Review:

This feels like a race that is set up for 300 people but now has almost 1,000 running it. The first part of the course is too narrow for that many and it got crowded, particularly after the first turnaround. I hate to criticize the volunteers because they're so important but multiple water stops had volunteers just not paying attention. The water stops were also not big enough for the size of the event. The trail is open to non-participants and it's not super awesome when a group of cyclists flying by you at mile 22, plus the walkers and just people enjoying their day. The hill at mile 6 is no joke, about 100 ft of elevation gain in half a mile. Almost no crowd which is expected for this sort of race.

Most of those negatives are certainly advertised in advance; just hard to see how bad they were until you go through it. Oh well.

The course is fine. There's not much to look at but the trees and trail are pretty beautiful. Getting to wait for the start inside is a huge plus. Ample, easy parking. I enjoyed it but probably wouldn't run it again.
Reviewed by P About 2025

Great local race

Full Review:

Great local race put on by runners for runners. Fast course. Lots of aid stations. Plenty of food at the finish.

Race Tips:

Make sure you're mentally prepared for the second half. The full marathon field is small. There is a high likelihood you will be alone for the majority of the miles from 12.75-26.2.
Reviewed by EMN About 2018

Full Review:

Very nice small (400 full, 600 half) race. Race day packet pick-up at a high school where you can stay warm and use real toilets. Free massages afterward and you can use the schools showers. In 2012 they gave track pants rather than a T-Shirt. Good quality too!

Race Tips:

The course is about 2 miles on the roads to thin out the crowds then entirely on a paved bike path. The scenery is pleasent but unchanging. No hills to speak of, only gradual inclines. Plenty of water stops. The race is two out and backs so that can be mentally tough. No spectators but that's to be expected on a race of this size.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I drove down from PA on race day so I can't comment on local ammenities but you're not far from Annapolis so I'm sure folks could find hotels and restaurants, etc.
Reviewed by EMR About 2012