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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.

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MO Cowbell Marathon

St. Charles, MO
Sunday, November 8, 2026


  3.8 Stars from 6 Reviews

Course Description
The MO Cowbell Marathon course is about half on paved roads (~14.5 miles) and the rest on dirt.

The MO Cowbell Marathon starts at the banks of Missouri River in St. Charles, Missouri, and takes runners on a winding course through the area's historic neighborhoods.

The race returns to the start/finish at approximately the halfway point where runners head out for an out-and-back section on the Katy Trail as well as crossing the Missouri River.

November Other Marathons in November Other Marathons in Missouri Marathons near St. Charles, MO



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Sunday, November 8, 2026
2025: Sunday, October 5, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Mostly Loop
Surface: Mostly on Road/Pavement

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 50°F (10°C)
Average High: 57°F (13°C)
Average Low: 42° F (5°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 98.00
Course Score: 98.89

Race Size

2025: 503 Finishers
2024: 458 Finishers
2023: 457 Finishers
2022: 406 Finishers
2021: 449 Finishers
2020: 406 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2025: 2.4%
2024: 2.4%
2023: 2.4%
2022: 6.6%
2021: 3.5%
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 12 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 76°F  (24°C)
Low: 56°F  (13°C)

Race Start Conditions

58°F  (14°C)
Humidity: 85%

Clear
ESE 5 mph

PR Score

96.7

Course Score

98.93






MO Cowbell Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The MO Cowbell Marathon was the 137th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 142nd largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 2.4% of MO Cowbell Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 2.4% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the MO Cowbell Marathon ranked 396th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 389th in 2024. In Missouri, it ranked 8th in 2025 and 8th in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The MO Cowbell Marathon has a Course Score of 98.89, ranking it as the 237th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest marathon course in Missouri.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the MO Cowbell Marathon a PR Score of 98.00. The PR Score ranks the MO Cowbell Marathon as the 288th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 3rd best marathon for a PR in Missouri.

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

MO Cowbell Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed237th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 1st fastest marathon course in Missouri
Top 52% Nationally#1 of 8 in Missouri
PR Potential288th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd best marathon for a PR in Missouri
Top 63% Nationally#3 of 8 in Missouri
Boston Qualifier Rate396th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 8th highest BQ percentage in Missouri
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 83% Nationally#8 of 9 in Missouri
Race Size137th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd largest marathon in Missouri
Based on 2025 results
Top 24% Nationally#3 of 13 in Missouri

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



Elevation Chart

Max Elevation: 549 feet (167m)
Min Elevation: 436 feet (132m)


MO

Course updated 09/05/2024




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Race Reviews


3.8
Based on 6 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Sneaky tough course

Full Review:

Wonderful venue. Great race that has tremendous potential. Crowd control a major issue for the marathon. Running through the park is a free for all for runners as spectators walk and do whatever on the rave course. Both at the half split and the last mile or so is very congested and not enough course workers or barriers up to prevent people from blocking the course.

Race Tips:

8+ miles of the second half are on gravel road/trail. Very dusty and not the easiest to run fast on. In the heat it was brutal. The first half features a handful of hills that are either very steep or very long. Elevation description doesn't reflect what the first half is compared to the second half.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Easy routes in and out. Arrive earlier than usual to get good parking.
Reviewed by Joe M About 2025

Half is great, Full is not

Full Review:

I agree wholeheartedly with the review from 2023.

Logistically, this race is well-organized and the expo is great. Course-wise, this is a great race for the Half Marathon distance. You'll get a good mix of scenery - some St. Charles streets (1-2), some country and farmland (2-6), the New Town neighborhood (probably the best part) (6-9), then ultimately a big hill up (11) and then down (12) back to the St Charles streets (13). The back half is on the Katy Trail (13-18, 21-26) and on the Creve Coeur connector trail (18-21). There is some shade during these parts but mostly out in the open, and water stations are pretty sparse, so plan accordingly. Very few spectators or scenery on this back half. It will be a grind. Also expect to see a good number of bikers passing you on the Katy Trail.

I think this race would benefit greatly from being held in November or December. The weather (80+, sunny) has been an issue the past few years.

Race Tips:

Save energy and have a plan for how to keep your mind occupied during the back half. If you can, get dropped off about halfway down Main St and walk to the start. Otherwise expect to have to park far away unless you arrive very early.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I really think the Half Marathon (have ran twice) is an excellent race, but if you want to do the full marathon, proceed with caution.

Check out what St Charles has to offer if you're making a weekend of it - there are several neat places.
Reviewed by MN About 2024

Great logistics, unenjoyable race

Full Review:

The logistics of this race were incredibly smooth. The expo and bib pickup were easy. We stayed at Country Inn & Suites, which was super convenient to get to and from the start. Getting to corrals was quick and easy, and bag drop-off was seamless. The hoodies and medals were beautiful.

Unfortunately, the water stops were about every 2.5 miles, which is not nearly enough, especially for an 85 degree race. There was one enjoyable section in the first half in a cool neighborhood area called New Town, I think. Otherwise, we were running on country road, highway, and a gravel path with no shade. There's a big hill around 10, which was doable, but the two other hills at I think 16/17 and 20/21 were brutal. It was boring with little support along an unshaded out-and-back. There was just nothing to look forward to after passing the half. I would not run it again for these reasons. I run partially to see new cities, and this just offered very little in scenery. The course looks like you run along the Missouri River and it would be pretty, but it's just not scenic in any way.

Race Tips:

Save energy for the back half, and try to have your own cheering squad in those tough areas later in the race. Carry your own water/gatorade.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Country Inn and Suites could not have made for an easier experience. Big A's on the Riverfront had the best burger I've ever eaten. We caught a movie Saturday evening at the theater right down the road, which proved to be a great relaxing way to spend the day after hitting the expo.
Reviewed by JD About 2023

Mostly flat but 3 BIG hills

Full Review:

First half more interesting than second half that includes some off road flat trails. 2018 was very hot and they needed more water stations added for last 8 miles but otherwise well run. Nice touch was free finisher photos.

Race Tips:

Check elevation as there are significant hills at about 10 about 17 and about 20 - rest is basically flat.
Reviewed by ab About 2018

Full Review:

Only two things I didn't like at this race; minimal water stops, and lines to porta-pots were to long. They had adequate porta-pots, unfortunate only two lines which were so long made it stressful before the race. Easily could have had each line have two porta-pots instead of two lines sharing 20 porta-pots.

Lovely race, running through some older areas of town and some of the newer town-homes was quite quaint. Easy on street parking near start - no biggie at all.

Race Tips:

Pack your own water.

Nice hill on back half near river - make sure you save some in the tank or you will feel defeated when you reach it.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Nice dinner choice at Erios Ristorante- very tasty! Country Inn & Suites (St. Peters) was very very late w/ check-ins, but very accommodating, and inexpensive!
Reviewed by FCO About 2016

Full Review:

Flat.
Well organized.
Not too crowded.
Reviewed by RAL About 2015