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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!



Freedoms Run Marathon

Shepherdstown, WV
Saturday, October 10, 2026


  4.7 Stars from 3 Reviews

Course Description
The Freedom's Run Marathon is a point-to-point race in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and Maryland, renowned for its scenic and historical course. Starting in the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the USATF certified Boston Qualifier is designed to be a challenging but unforgettable experience rather than a personal record course, featuring a total elevation gain of over 1,400 feet. Runners traverse a mixed terrain of road, crushed gravel, and grass, passing through three major National Park lands: Harpers Ferry NHP, the C&O Canal National Historical Park, and the Antietam National Battlefield, the site of the bloodiest one-day battle in U.S. history.

The race offers a humbling journey through history, starting with a run through Harpers Ferry before settling into a flat, 13-mile stretch along the C&O Canal towpath. The challenge intensifies at mile 16 with a significant climb up to and through the Antietam Battlefield, featuring rolling, cross-country style grassy paths. The full marathon finishes in the historical town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, at the Shepherd University Ram Stadium.

October Other Marathons in October Other Marathons in West Virginia Marathons near Shepherdstown, WV



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Saturday, October 10, 2026
2025: Saturday, October 4, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Hilly
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Mostly on Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 61°F (16°C)
Average High: 73°F (22°C)
Average Low: 49° F (9°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 98.20
Course Score: 98.51

Race Size

2025: 123 Finishers
2024: 156 Finishers
2023: 147 Finishers
2022: 171 Finishers
2021: 201 Finishers
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 8.1%
2024: 1.9%
2023: 3.4%
2022: 5.3%
2021: 2%
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 14 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 68°F  (20°C)
Low: 47°F  (8°C)

Race Start Conditions

52°F  (11°C)
Humidity: 86%

Clear
N 5 mph

PR Score

97.42

Course Score

98.51






Freedoms Run Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Freedoms Run Marathon was the 334th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 287th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 8.1% of Freedoms Run Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 1.9% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Freedoms Run Marathon ranked 181st among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 401st in 2024. In West Virginia, it ranked 2nd in 2025 and 4th in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Freedoms Run Marathon has a Course Score of 98.51, ranking it as the 295th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 3rd fastest marathon course in West Virginia.

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 Freedoms Run Marathon a PR Score of 98.20. The PR Score ranks the Freedoms Run Marathon as the 266th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 3rd best marathon for a PR in West Virginia.

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

Freedoms Run Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed295th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd fastest marathon course in West Virginia
Top 64% Nationally#3 of 3 in West Virginia
PR Potential266th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd best marathon for a PR in West Virginia
Top 58% Nationally#3 of 3 in West Virginia
Boston Qualifier Rate181st highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd highest BQ percentage in West Virginia
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 38% Nationally#2 of 3 in West Virginia
Race Size334th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 4th largest marathon in West Virginia
Based on 2025 results
Top 57% Nationally#4 of 6 in West Virginia

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



Elevation Chart

Max Elevation: 520 feet (158m)
Min Elevation: 265 feet (80m)


Freedoms



Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Freedoms Run Marathon

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Compare the Freedoms Run Marathon to other Marathons

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

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

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Freedoms Run Marathon in 4:30:00, 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


4.7
Based on 3 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Run through history

Full Review:

Great course on C and O Canal and Antietam National Battlefield

Race Tips:

It gets hilly at mile 16 so don't go out too fast.
Reviewed by G About 2017

Full Review:

Phenomenal point to point marathon. Here are the highlights.

1. It's a point to point marathon that starts and ends in West Virginia but most of it is in Maryland (you can cross 2 states off your marathon bucket list) 2. Runs through 4 National Parks/Parkland 3. Half of it is very flat and half is quite hilly 4. The finishers medals are homemade by a local potter 5. You finish in the middle of a college football stadium 6. The post race party/Oktoberfest is at a German Inn 7. You run down a spiral staircase as you enter Maryland 8. Part of the race is on the historic Appalachian Trail 9. The race director is a doctor and owns the country's first natural running store 10. This is a small "old school" race that you'll be telling everyone you know about

Race Tips:

Don't use too much energy on the "Millers Sawmill" hill because the battlefield hills are still in front of you.

Not too many water stops in the first half of the race so you may consider carrying water.

Don't miss the post-run Oktoberfest at the Bavarian Inn across the street. There is also a half marathon, 10k, 5k, and a kids fun run

Travel/Logistics Tips:

The Bavarian Inn is directly across the street from the finish and there are shuttle busses to the start.
Reviewed by Bill C About 2016

Full Review:

First class service by Freedom's Run race director! Government shut down forced the director to change the course only 12 days prior to the run. He did so without missing a beat. Plan B was hilly but beautiful, and course -support was great.

Race Tips:

Shepherdstown is lovely. Enjoy!
Reviewed by WC About 2013