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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!



Delaware Marathon

Wilmington, DE
Sunday, April 18, 2027


  5 Stars from 3 Reviews

Course Description
The first 13 miles of the marathon course travels across Brandywine Park on the Brandywine River, along parkways, through historic neighborhoods of Wilmington, near the 100 year old tower in Rockford park and past downtown’s Rodney Square. The second half of the marathon route is along the Jack Markell Trail making its way almost to New Castle and returning to the festivities at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park.





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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Sunday, April 18, 2027
2026: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Course Information

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

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


Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 58°F (14°C)
Average High: 68°F (20°C)
Average Low: 47° F (8°C)





PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 97.18
Course Score: 97.49


Race Size

2026: 643 Finishers
2025: 439 Finishers
2024: 461 Finishers
2023: 454 Finishers
2022: 477 Finishers
2021: No Results

BQ Percentages

2026: 5.3%
2025: 7.3%
2024: 13%
2023: 10.1%
2022: 8%
2021: N/A


Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 12 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 65°F  (18°C)
Low: 50°F  (10°C)

Race Start Conditions

54°F  (12°C)
Humidity: 75%

Clear
NW 7 mph

PR Score

96.77

Course Score

97.46









Delaware Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Delaware Marathon was the 152nd largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 141st largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 5.3% of Delaware Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 7.3% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Delaware Marathon ranked 202nd among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 130th so far in 2026. In Delaware, it ranked 3rd in 2025 and 2nd so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Delaware Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.


The Delaware Marathon has a Course Score of 97.49, ranking it as the 377th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 3rd fastest marathon course in Delaware.

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 Delaware Marathon a PR Score of 97.18. The PR Score ranks the Delaware Marathon as the 342nd best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 3rd best marathon for a PR in Delaware.

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

Delaware Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed377th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd fastest marathon course in Delaware
Top 82% Nationally#3 of 3 in Delaware
PR Potential342nd best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd best marathon for a PR in Delaware
Top 75% Nationally#3 of 3 in Delaware
Boston Qualifier Rate202nd highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd highest BQ percentage in Delaware
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 43% Nationally#3 of 3 in Delaware
Race Size152nd largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd largest marathon in Delaware
Based on 2025 results
Top 26% Nationally#3 of 3 in Delaware

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




Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 290 feet (88m)
Min Elevation: 2 feet (0m)

Elevation Gain: 1025 feet (312m)
Elevation Loss: 1025 feet (312m)


Delaware

Course updated 02/25/2025





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Compare the Delaware Marathon to other Marathons

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

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


If you ran the Delaware Marathon in 3:27:00, 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


5.0
Based on 3 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Well organized, scenic run

Full Review:

Nice course through Wilmington neighborhoods the first half then through a wetland on a trail and boardwalk for the second half. Only slight knock is the water stations at the beginning block the course which has 10k, 1/2 and full runners on narrow streets. Not that big a deal. Course thinned out significantly after the half, so that issue was only the first few aid stations. Police support was great as all intersections were very well staffed.

Race Tips:

Second half is pancake flat but for a couple of bridges. Very little car traffic in second half which is nice.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Lots of hotels near the start. No expo- there was a race merch tent and thats about it. Nice way to see a lot of the city. I liked it.

Plenty of changes of scenery to keep your mind occupied

Full Review:

I generally liked the course, consisting of two loops with plenty of changes of scenery to keep your mind occupied.

Race Tips:

Two loops with a slight incline at mile 25. There are a lot of half and relay runners. Really good finisher village, lots of vendors and food.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

The Westin in Wilmington provided a shuttle to the start.

Full Review:

Very nice race and certainly worth doing once. Very well run. The race starts on the riverfront in Wilmington, takes you through downtown and along the Brandywine River, through the parks, and into some of the neighborhoods of Wilmington. Its a great way to see the city. Being from the area I know the city pretty well, and I think the race highlights the best parts of it. Be ready though because there are hills....the big one we call .."Monkey Hill." Its long and gradual. But be prepared to recover on the return down hill. My only knock is that it's a two loop course. I personally don't like 2 loops and it means you have to run those hills twice. But all that said.....its worth doing, at least once. There is a half, and 4-person and 8-person relays, so it has the feel of a bigger race than the actual number of marathoners. The after party is good.....good food, good drink. There is plenty of parking around the start so you shouldn't have far to walk. The expo is not bad, but this is not a huge race so don't expect something of that size. The medal and shirt in '13 were very nice.

Race Tips:

Weather should be near perfect at that time of year. Review the course map and be prepared for the hills. There is also a pretty brutal hill at the end of the course that takes you through the center of the city, be prepared for it. Enjoy the shade through the park and the stately neighborhoods.....and none around little Italy. Fan support is pretty good. The aid stations are well stocked and manned by great volunteers.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Plenty of hotels in the area....look in the neighboring towns, Newark and off route 202, for cheaper deals if you don't want to stay in town. Plenty of parking in and around the start but arrive early so you can find your way to the start. If you are flying....go into Philly, unless you can get a much better deal out of Baltimore. Plenty of great options for restaurants in the city and outskirts.