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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!



Mad Marathon

Waitsfield, VT
Sunday, July 12, 2026


  5 Stars from 1 Reviews

Course Description
The hilly course coupled with the typically warm race day temperatures make the Mad Marathon a challenging race. The scenic course is approximately 70% on roads and 30% on gravel.

Runners will travel through this extraordinary rural community on 26.2 miles of back and dirt roads withbreathtaking views of the Green Mountains, rolling farm lands, quaint villages, historical barns, coveredbridges and fields of cows.

July Other Marathons in July Other Marathons in Vermont Marathons near Waitsfield, VT



Marathon Pace Bands

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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Sunday, July 12, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Hilly
Type: Mostly Out and Back
Surface: Mostly on Road/Pavement

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 67°F (19°C)
Average High: 78°F (25°C)
Average Low: 56° F (13°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 91.22
Course Score: 94.19

Race Size

2026: 290 Finishers
2025: 246 Finishers
2024: 267 Finishers
2023: 260 Finishers
2022: 237 Finishers
2021: 166 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 3.1%
2025: 1.2%
2024: 1.9%
2023: 2.3%
2022: 4.2%
2021: 4.2%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 15 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 78°F  (26°C)
Low: 57°F  (14°C)

Race Start Conditions

62°F  (17°C)
Humidity: 83%

Clear
S 4 mph

PR Score

92.69

Course Score

95.36






Mad Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Mad Marathon was the 233rd largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 207th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 3.1% of Mad Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 1.2% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Mad Marathon ranked 428th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 244th so far in 2026. In Vermont, it ranked 3rd in 2025 and 2nd so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Mad Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Mad Marathon has a Course Score of 94.19, ranking it as the 443rd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 4th fastest marathon course in Vermont.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Mad Marathon a PR Score of 91.22. The PR Score ranks the Mad Marathon as the 452nd best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 4th best marathon for a PR in Vermont.

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

Mad Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed443rd fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 4th fastest marathon course in Vermont
Top 96% Nationally#4 of 4 in Vermont
PR Potential452nd best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 4th best marathon for a PR in Vermont
Top 98% Nationally#4 of 4 in Vermont
Boston Qualifier Rate428th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd highest BQ percentage in Vermont
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 90% Nationally#3 of 4 in Vermont
Race Size233rd largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd largest marathon in Vermont
Based on 2025 results
Top 40% Nationally#2 of 4 in Vermont

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 1514 feet (461m)
Min Elevation: 639 feet (194m)

Elevation Gain: 2134 feet (650m)
Elevation Loss: 2133 feet (650m)


Mad

Course updated 06/22/2026




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Mad Marathon

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

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Compare the Mad Marathon to other Marathons

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

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

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Mad Marathon in 4:18:00, 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


5.0
Based on 1 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Full Review:

This is a small (300 plus in full; 400 plus in half) low stress race. Packet pick-up and pre-race logistics are stress free. The race is well organized and even slow runners (me) feel well supported. Even when I finished there was plenty of food left! The race is as scenic as advertised and you get to run thru 2 covered bridges.

Race Tips:

This is a very hilly race and in July heat and humidity almost certainly will always play a part. They should probably start the race @ 6:00 rather than 7:00 to help with heat. Pay attention to the elevation change on the chart. Luckily most of the hills are in the first 17 miles so pace yourself.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Local accommodations are pricey and fill up quickly. I stayed in Barre (35 minutes away) and I noticed quite a few runners at my hotel. Parking is easy race morning. I arrived an hour early and had no stress (always my goal)
Reviewed by EMR About 2013