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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

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Kiawah Island Marathon

Kiawah Island, SC
Saturday, December 12, 2026


  3.9 Stars from 8 Reviews

Course Description
The Kiawah Island Marathon takes runners through the serene and picturesque landscapes of Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The course is flat and fast, winding through maritime forests, along tranquil lagoons, and past stunning ocean views. Runners enjoy a mix of paved roads and shaded paths, making for a comfortable and scenic race experience. The course's gentle terrain (there is only a 10 foot difference between the high and low points of the course), combined with the island's mild winter climate, offers an excellent opportunity for both personal bests and Boston Marathon qualifying times.

December Other Marathons in December Other Marathons in South Carolina Marathons near Kiawah Island, SC



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Saturday, December 12, 2026
2025: Saturday, December 13, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Very Flat
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 53°F (11°C)
Average High: 64°F (17°C)
Average Low: 41° F (5°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.73
Course Score: 99.73

Race Size

2025: 1,505 Finishers
2024: 1,328 Finishers
2023: 1,358 Finishers
2022: 1,276 Finishers
2021: 1,027 Finishers
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 7.3%
2024: 8.4%
2023: 8.8%
2022: 11.6%
2021: 8.6%
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 16 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 60°F  (16°C)
Low: 48°F  (9°C)

Race Start Conditions

52°F  (11°C)
Humidity: 83%

Clear
N 8 mph

PR Score

98.68

Course Score

99.81






Kiawah Island Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Kiawah Island Marathon was the 61st largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 61st largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 7.3% of Kiawah Island Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 8.4% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Kiawah Island Marathon ranked 201st among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 198th in 2024. In South Carolina, it ranked 2nd in 2025 and 3rd in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Kiawah Island Marathon has a Course Score of 99.73, ranking it as the 58th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest marathon course in South Carolina.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Kiawah Island Marathon a PR Score of 99.73. The PR Score ranks the Kiawah Island Marathon as the 45th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 1st best marathon for a PR in South Carolina.

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

Kiawah Island Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed58th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 1st fastest marathon course in South Carolina
Top 13% Nationally#1 of 5 in South Carolina
PR Potential45th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 1st best marathon for a PR in South Carolina
Top 10% Nationally#1 of 5 in South Carolina
Boston Qualifier Rate201st highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd highest BQ percentage in South Carolina
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 42% Nationally#2 of 4 in South Carolina
Race Size61st largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 1st largest marathon in South Carolina
Based on 2025 results
Top 11% Nationally#1 of 5 in South Carolina

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 19 feet (5m)
Min Elevation: 7 feet (2m)

Elevation Gain: 129 feet (39m)
Elevation Loss: 129 feet (39m)


Kiawah

Course updated 12/16/2025




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Kiawah Island Marathon

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

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Compare the Kiawah Island Marathon to other Marathons

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

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

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Kiawah Island Marathon in 3:52:00, 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


3.9
Based on 8 reviews
Write Your Own Review

My first time at this race

Full Review:

I thought it was great. Expo was good. Kiawah is beautiful. Its a well ran race.

Race Tips:

Its flat as a pancake and a lot of shade. Aid stations are kind of spread out and there are no gels or much food in general until late. Coke only at one station.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

You need to get to the freshfields lot at 530am sharp to get on the bus.
Reviewed by Blake G About 2024

The worst! Not recommending this marathon at all!

Full Review:

Absolutely the worst!!!
They ran out of finisher medals!
They gave the same finisher medals to the half-marathoners and marathoners.
13.1 miles vs 26.2 miles - NOT THE SAME!
They did not secure the marathon course - they allowed non-participants and cyclists on the course! Very dangerous to the runners!
Do not run this marathon! Not recommending this race!
When you run a marathon, no matter how "slow" you ran it, YOU SHOULD BE GETTING A FINISHER MEDAL AT THE END! PERIOD.

Race Tips:

Learn good pacing strategies. Conserve energy in the first 10-miles. The marathon race doesn't really start until the 18th mile.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Arrive early. Always do your pre-run workout/warm up.
Reviewed by MN About 2023

Lack of port a potties and perfect course for PR

Full Review:

Everything about this marathon was great from the communication to the course being well marked to aid stations every 2 miles. the downside was the insanly small amount of port a potties at the start. for a race this huge to have like 20 of them was crazy. we arrived very early to the site did a 1 mile warm up then stayed in line 1 hour to use the restroom!

Race Tips:

if you can afford to stay on the island it makes race day so easy. shuttle access was simple check in and out was easy.. book early!
Reviewed by km About 2021

Full Review:

Reviewed by Jms About 2017

Full Review:

The pluses...lots of communication leading up to the event, and about as flat of a course as you can get. That being said, I found the course itself (which was changed in 2016) to be miserable. It was largely on golf cart paths with uneven surface and endless "snaking" without any notable views. They claim to have chip timing, but did not. I noticed that the runners at the front of the pack had "net times." Those of us further back did not. The RD was very unaccommodating on this point. There's no excuse for that. So if you are looking to PR or are a few minutes away from BQ, I'd suggest looking for a different race.

Race Tips:

Try to run on the street instead of the actual course. Note that your GPS will be off from the first few miles because of the satellites are.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Charleston is a reasonable driving distance if you do not have the small fortune required to stay on site.
Reviewed by CMF About 2016

Full Review:

Course was flat, sea level and in 2016 the temperature was perfect.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

We stayed on the island, which was nice. If you don't, you can't access the course until race day because permits are required.
Reviewed by Cindy About 2016

Full Review:

Loved everything about this race BUT the weather! Definitely not anyone's fault, but planning for a marathon in December even in the south can prove to be tough due to humidity and heat!
Reviewed by AW About 2015

Full Review:

This is a great-flat island marathon. The weather is usually perfect...and it was this year as well (Dec 2014). The expo is really small, but the pre-race meal was great. Southern food! Real Mac N Cheese!!

Race Tips:

It is pretty easy to keep a solid pace. I was able to stay between 8:10-8:30 the entire run. The only con of the course is that there are many out and backs... so there are many turn arounds.

The course looks like a hand....with a lot of fingers!

But overall, after about 10 marathons, this is a favorite.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Stay on the island! During this time of year, the condos are reasonable. The Sanctury (the hotel) is always expensive. But the condos are spacious and worth the money. Also, the Start is an easy walk if you ask during booking of your condo.
Reviewed by WH About 2014