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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

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Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday)

North Bend, WA
Saturday, July 25, 2026


  5 Stars from 1 Reviews
Top 50 Best Boston Qualifying Marathon for 2026

Course Description
13.1 miles flat, 13.1 miles downhill...This net-downhill, point-to-point course is designed for negative splits, PRs, and Boston Qualifying times. Run a smooth rail trail through the Cascade Mountains and the iconic Snoqualmie Tunnel.

The Jack & Jill's Downhill Marathon course begins at Stampede Pass and follows the scenic Palouse to Cascades Trail toward Snoqualmie Pass. After returning to Hyak, the course continues along the rail trail toward the finish at Garcia in North Bend.

The first half of the marathon is mostly flat and runnable, followed by a long, gradual downhill for the final 13 miles— a profile designed for strong negative splits and fast finishes.

The race features both a Saturday and Sunday marathon and is run on a smooth, hard-packed gravel rail trail.

July Other Marathons in July Other Marathons in Washington Marathons near North Bend, WA



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Saturday, July 25, 2026
2025: Saturday, July 26, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Downhill
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Trail

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 66°F (18°C)
Average High: 78°F (25°C)
Average Low: 55° F (12°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 100.30
Course Score: 101.72

Race Size

2025: 778 Finishers
2024: 815 Finishers
2023: 762 Finishers
2022: 588 Finishers
2021: 429 Finishers
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 24%
2024: 24.5%
2023: 23%
2022: 19.6%
2021: 28%
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 7 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 82°F  (28°C)
Low: 56°F  (13°C)

Race Start Conditions

59°F  (15°C)
Humidity: 85%

Partially cloudy
W 2 mph

PR Score

102.35

Course Score

104.94






Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) was the 107th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 101st largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 24% of Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 24.5% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) ranked 26th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 35th in 2024. In Washington, it ranked 4th in 2025 and 6th in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) has a Course Score of 101.72, ranking it as the 19th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 7th fastest marathon course in Washington.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) a PR Score of 100.30. The PR Score ranks the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) as the 30th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 9th best marathon for a PR in Washington.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Washington for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed19th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 7th fastest marathon course in Washington
Top 5% Nationally#7 of 25 in Washington
PR Potential30th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 9th best marathon for a PR in Washington
Top 7% Nationally#9 of 25 in Washington
Boston Qualifier Rate26th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 4th highest BQ percentage in Washington
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 6% Nationally#4 of 24 in Washington
Race Size107th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd largest marathon in Washington
Based on 2025 results
Top 19% Nationally#3 of 32 in Washington

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 2578 feet (785m)
Min Elevation: 1696 feet (517m)

Elevation Gain: 267 feet (81m)
Elevation Loss: 1300 feet (396m)


Jack

Course updated 02/12/2026




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Compare the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) to other Marathons

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

Do you want to see how the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) stacks up against other marathons?

Compare the details of the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) side-by-side with other marathons with our Comparison Tool.


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Jack and Jills Downhill Marathon (Saturday) in 3:02:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

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Race Reviews


5.0
Based on 1 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Great race for runners and BQing

Full Review:

It's a smaller and very well run race. It's nice to run in smaller races sometimes. The course is a long, continuous, easy down hill. I was worried about the heat which was projected in the 90s but it was 60s at the start, 70s at the finish and the course is mostly in shade- except for the 2 miles in a tunnel. I BQed so it's one of my favorite courses!

Race Tips:

Hard to pass in the tunnel which kept me from going out too fast. I don't usually carry water but I did for this race because I was worried about the heat.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

My wife drove me to the start and picked me up at the finish which saved a few hours in the morning.
Reviewed by Henry Eimstad About 2018