NEW! Pace Bands on Your Phone. LEARN MORE...

Marathon Pace Bands

Marathon Pace Bands

Run the Right Pace in Your Next Marathon

Nearly 500 marathon courses.
Ships same or Next Day

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!



Bellingham Bay Marathon

Bellingham, WA
Sunday, September 20, 2026


  5 Stars from 2 Reviews

Course Description
The Bellingham Bay Marathon course travels along Bellingham Bay, offering views of both the bay and the mountains. The course starts on Gooseberry Point with several miles along a bluff overlooking the bay. It travels through rural farmland, through residential neighborhoods, along waterfront greenways and over top Bellingham Bay before returning to the finish in downtown Bellingham.

September Other Marathons in September Other Marathons in Washington Marathons near Bellingham, WA



Marathon Pace Bands

Want to run your best Bellingham Bay Marathon?

Don't waste months of training only to run the wrong pace.


Bellingham Bay Marathon Pace Bands are adjusted for the specific terrain of the course, your goal time and pacing strategies.



Only $9.99




Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Sunday, September 20, 2026
2025: Sunday, September 21, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Mostly on Road/Pavement

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 56°F (13°C)
Average High: 64°F (17°C)
Average Low: 47° F (8°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 98.33
Course Score: 98.48

Race Size

2025: 307 Finishers
2024: 286 Finishers
2023: 257 Finishers
2022: 203 Finishers
2021: 247 Finishers
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 5.5%
2024: 4.6%
2023: 9.3%
2022: 5.4%
2021: 9.7%
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 15 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 64°F  (18°C)
Low: 50°F  (10°C)

Race Start Conditions

52°F  (11°C)
Humidity: 87%

Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph

PR Score

97.71

Course Score

98.48






Bellingham Bay Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Bellingham Bay Marathon was the 205th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 198th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 5.5% of Bellingham Bay Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 4.6% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Bellingham Bay Marathon ranked 258th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 324th in 2024. In Washington, it ranked 12th in 2025 and 23rd in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Bellingham Bay Marathon has a Course Score of 98.48, ranking it as the 298th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 20th fastest marathon course in Washington.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are slightly above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Bellingham Bay Marathon a PR Score of 98.33. The PR Score ranks the Bellingham Bay Marathon as the 255th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 20th best marathon for a PR in Washington.

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

Bellingham Bay Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed298th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 20th fastest marathon course in Washington
Top 65% Nationally#20 of 25 in Washington
PR Potential255th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 20th best marathon for a PR in Washington
Top 56% Nationally#20 of 25 in Washington
Boston Qualifier Rate258th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 12th highest BQ percentage in Washington
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 54% Nationally#12 of 24 in Washington
Race Size205th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 10th largest marathon in Washington
Based on 2025 results
Top 35% Nationally#10 of 32 in Washington

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



Elevation Chart

Max Elevation: 163 feet (49m)
Min Elevation: 5 feet (1m)


Bellingham



Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Bellingham Bay Marathon

View available accomodations around the Bellingham Bay Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.

For a better mobile or desktop experience:






Compare the Bellingham Bay Marathon to other Marathons

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

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

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Bellingham Bay Marathon in 5:07:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

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


Time Converter Tool

Race Reviews


5.0
Based on 2 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Beautiful course, but don't forget the final two hills!

Full Review:

Pros:
Starting line was easy to get to with plenty of parking. Starting the race with a blessing from a local tribe was really moving.

Aid stations all staffed by super energetic kids Miles and course well marked Ideal temp Perfect timing if you are moving in a WWU student!

Cons:
No food offered on the course except a gu packet late in the race Timing chip not accurate Getting to the finish line requires not one but TWO hills, you actually finish on an uphill
Reviewed by AS About 2025

Full Review:

I loved this marathon for the small race feel, the weather and the great course!

Race Tips:

Don't go out too fast...you can pick up a lot of time in the latter part of the race if you pace right.
Reviewed by Preston About 2014