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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

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best marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.

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Capital City Marathon

Olympia, WA
Sunday, May 17, 2026


  5 Stars from 1 Reviews

Course Description
The beautiful Capital City Marathon course consists of rolling hills that wind through Olympia, the surrounding countryside and neighborhoods and then finishes with a fast half mile downhill.

May Other Marathons in May Other Marathons in Washington Marathons near Olympia, WA



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Sunday, May 17, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 53°F (11°C)
Average High: 65°F (18°C)
Average Low: 42° F (5°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 97.26
Course Score: 97.26

Race Size

2026: 389 Finishers
2025: 301 Finishers
2024: 296 Finishers
2023: 247 Finishers
2022: 222 Finishers
2021: No Results

BQ Percentages

2026: 4.9%
2025: 3%
2024: 10.5%
2023: 9.3%
2022: 8.1%
2021: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 13 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 66°F  (19°C)
Low: 47°F  (8°C)

Race Start Conditions

50°F  (10°C)
Humidity: 88%

Light Rain
SW 3 mph

PR Score

96.5

Course Score

96.9






Capital City Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Capital City Marathon was the 208th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 190th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 4.9% of Capital City Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 3% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Capital City Marathon ranked 374th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 139th so far in 2026. In Washington, it ranked 21st in 2025 and 7th so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Capital City Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Capital City Marathon has a Course Score of 97.26, ranking it as the 390th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 24th fastest marathon course in Washington.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Capital City Marathon a PR Score of 97.26. The PR Score ranks the Capital City Marathon as the 337th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 23rd best marathon for a PR in Washington.

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

Capital City Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed390th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 24th fastest marathon course in Washington
Top 85% Nationally#24 of 25 in Washington
PR Potential337th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 23rd best marathon for a PR in Washington
Top 73% Nationally#23 of 25 in Washington
Boston Qualifier Rate374th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 21st highest BQ percentage in Washington
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 79% Nationally#21 of 24 in Washington
Race Size208th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 11th largest marathon in Washington
Based on 2025 results
Top 36% Nationally#11 of 32 in Washington

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 196 feet (59m)
Min Elevation: 14 feet (4m)

Elevation Gain: 1120 feet (341m)
Elevation Loss: 1119 feet (341m)


Capital

Course updated 05/12/2026




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Compare the Capital City Marathon to other Marathons

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

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

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Capital City 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.


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Race Reviews


5.0
Based on 1 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Beautiful course, great crowd support!

Full Review:

Aid stations were consistent but water not not easy to grab in the mid to later aid stations of the marathon. (When needed most) . A few cups held out in a row then a few electrolyte. Made it difficult to run thru and get multiple sips in. which is best when racing. I recommend having more held out and space them out a little. Put water on one side/electrolyte on the other side if that works with the station set up. Those miles 15-23 is when hydration stations really are necessary! Thankful for the honey stinger gel offered at one of the latter stations. That was very helpful at that point as I realized I had dropped one and was one short for the rest of my race.

Race Tips:

Bring a warm layer or arm warmers for start. That you can shed. It was cold. The first half is easy to run (a bit too) fast….pace for miles of steady rollers. (miles 15-23.) save something for the last big hill. It’s long. The last 1.5 miles down hill is a breeze to the finish line.
Reviewed by Sw About 2026