NEW! Pace Bands on Your Phone. LEARN MORE...

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!


Marathon Pace Bands

Marathon Pace Bands

Run the Right Pace in Your Next Marathon

Nearly 500 marathon courses.
Ships same or Next Day


Long Island Marathon

East Meadow, NY
Sunday, May 3, 2026


  4.2 Stars from 5 Reviews

Course Description

No course description available at this time.


May Other Marathons in May Other Marathons in New York Marathons near East Meadow, NY



Marathon Pace Bands

Want to run your best Long Island Marathon?

Don't waste months of training only to run the wrong pace.


Long Island Marathon Pace Bands are adjusted for the specific terrain of the course, your goal time and pacing strategies.



Only $9.99




Race Information

Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Sunday, May 3, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Multiple Loops
Surface: Road/Pavement

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 53°F (11°C)
Average High: 62°F (16°C)
Average Low: 45° F (7°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.36
Course Score: 99.36

Race Size

2026: 471 Finishers
2025: 541 Finishers
2024: 571 Finishers
2023: 430 Finishers
2022: 326 Finishers
2021: 295 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: N/A
2025: 5.9%
2024: 17%
2023: 10.2%
2022: 11.4%
2021: 6.1%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 19 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 63°F  (17°C)
Low: 50°F  (10°C)

Race Start Conditions

54°F  (12°C)
Humidity: 72%

Overcast
ENE 8 mph

PR Score

98.7

Course Score

99.42






Long Island Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Long Island Marathon was the 130th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 120th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 5.9% of Long Island Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 17% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Long Island Marathon ranked 245th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 68th in 2024. In New York, it ranked 11th in 2025 and 4th in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Long Island Marathon has a Course Score of 99.36, ranking it as the 142nd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 10th fastest marathon course in New York.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Long Island Marathon a PR Score of 99.36. The PR Score ranks the Long Island Marathon as the 103rd best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 8th best marathon for a PR in New York.

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

Long Island Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed142nd fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 10th fastest marathon course in New York
Top 31% Nationally#10 of 19 in New York
PR Potential103rd best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 8th best marathon for a PR in New York
Top 23% Nationally#8 of 19 in New York
Boston Qualifier Rate245th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 11th highest BQ percentage in New York
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 52% Nationally#11 of 24 in New York
Race Size130th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 5th largest marathon in New York
Based on 2025 results
Top 22% Nationally#5 of 27 in New York

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 106 feet (32m)
Min Elevation: 63 feet (19m)

Elevation Gain: 311 feet (94m)
Elevation Loss: 310 feet (94m)


Long

Course updated 05/12/2026




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Long Island Marathon

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

For a better mobile or desktop experience:






Compare the Long Island Marathon to other Marathons

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

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

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Long Island Marathon in 4:21:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

See how your finish time would compare on other marathon courses with our Time Conversion Tool.


Time Converter Tool

Race Reviews


4.2
Based on 5 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Great Race

Full Review:

I loved this race. The course was a half marathon loop run twice. It was mostly flat and I enjoyed the variation that it offered - we started and ended in a park. We ran a lap of a track and stretches on bike/walking paths, as well as roads. I ran just over half of the race with a pacer, who did his job well. The volunteers were friendly and proactive in asking whether runners wanted Gatorade or water. The people working at the expo were similarly friendly and helpful. I don’t have any suggestions for race organizers in relation to my experience as a marathoner; however, I would suggest re-designing the half marathoners’ starting arrangements. This year, the marathoners started in the first corral, followed by the half marathoners. This meant that many half marathoners had to pass several slower marathoners to run their preferred paces. This didn’t impact me as a marathoner, but I think half marathoners would have a better experience if they were mixed with the marathoners and sorted by speed as opposed to race distance.
Reviewed by JD About 2024

FANTASTIC!!

Full Review:

I'm a seasoned marathoner and have been to Boston, Houston, Indianapolis and this marathon is a hidden gem!! I will definitely be coming back. It was so well organized. There was lead bike support for female and male top runners for both the half and full marathons, excellent hydration stops and plenty of them. The crowds were great and so encouraging. It is 2 loops, they are a bit circuitous, but it didn't impact my race pace much. There were so many porta pots and I never had to wait, weather is usually good this time of year in NY. It was a great flat course. It felt like big race energy with a small town feel and there is also a food truck fair attached to the race, so there is a band with live music, food trucks, and seating/tables for after the race and even rides for children. I will be coming back and bringing my kids. Seriously a great race!

Travel/Logistics Tips:

There are plenty of local hotels and the race is inside a large park where you can easily park the morning of the race and hang out and warm up within the park with ease and no stress.
Reviewed by NL About 2024

Great Race

Full Review:

I loved this race. The course was a half marathon loop run twice. It was mostly flat and I enjoyed the variation that it offered - we started and ended in a park. We ran a lap of a track and stretches on bike/walking paths, as well as roads. I ran just over half of the race with a pacer, who did his job well. The volunteers were friendly and proactive in asking whether runners wanted Gatorade or water. The people working at the expo were similarly friendly and helpful. I don't have any suggestions for race organizers in relation to my experience as a marathoner; however, I would suggest re-designing the half marathoners' starting arrangements. This year, the marathoners started in the first corral, followed by the half marathoners. This meant that many half marathoners had to pass several slower marathoners to run their preferred paces. This didn't impact me as a marathoner, but I think half marathoners would have a better experience if they were mixed with the marathoners and sorted by speed as opposed to race distance.
Reviewed by JD About 2024

Full Review:

I didn't like the fact that they didn't have Gatorade at every water station. First Gatorade was at the Mile 4 then again at Mile 9. They did have Gatorade at every water station after Half and Full split after Mile 10.
Reviewed by Sam Smullen About 2017

Full Review:

Race Tips:

Need to be mentally ready. You are alone for awhile on the course and if you need heavy crowds this isn't the race for you.
Reviewed by LO About 2016