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


Martian Marathon

Dearborn, MI
Saturday, April 11, 2026


  5 Stars from 2 Reviews

Course Description
The Martian Marathon course is one of the flattest Spring marathons in the U.S. In addition, the typically cool race day temperatures can make for a very fast race. Definitely a PR and/or BQ course.





Marathon Pace Bands

Want to run your best Martian Marathon?

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


Martian 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: Saturday, April 11, 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.: 45°F (7°C)
Average High: 56°F (13°C)
Average Low: 34° F (1°C)





PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.28
Course Score: 99.28


Race Size

2026: 147 Finishers
2025: 149 Finishers
2024: 157 Finishers
2023: 142 Finishers
2022: 115 Finishers
2021: No Results

BQ Percentages

2026: 12.9%
2025: 10.7%
2024: 14%
2023: 12.7%
2022: 11.3%
2021: N/A


Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 12 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 55°F  (13°C)
Low: 39°F  (4°C)

Race Start Conditions

41°F  (5°C)
Humidity: 70%

Overcast
N 7 mph

PR Score

99.15

Course Score

99.22









Martian Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Martian Marathon was the 304th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 285th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 12.9% of Martian Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 10.7% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Martian Marathon ranked 125th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 45th so far in 2026. In Michigan, it ranked 7th in 2025 and 3rd so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Martian Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.


The Martian Marathon has a Course Score of 99.28, ranking it as the 169th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest marathon course in Michigan.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Martian Marathon a PR Score of 99.28. The PR Score ranks the Martian Marathon as the 121st best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 3rd best marathon for a PR in Michigan.

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

Martian Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed169th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 5th fastest marathon course in Michigan
Top 37% Nationally#5 of 15 in Michigan
PR Potential121st best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd best marathon for a PR in Michigan
Top 27% Nationally#3 of 15 in Michigan
Boston Qualifier Rate125th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 7th highest BQ percentage in Michigan
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 27% Nationally#7 of 17 in Michigan
Race Size304th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 12th largest marathon in Michigan
Based on 2025 results
Top 52% Nationally#12 of 19 in Michigan

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




Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 618 feet (188m)
Min Elevation: 578 feet (176m)

Elevation Gain: 346 feet (105m)
Elevation Loss: 346 feet (105m)


Martian

Course updated 11/05/2025





Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Martian Marathon

View available accomodations around the Martian 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 Martian Marathon to other Marathons

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

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

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


If you ran the Martian Marathon in 3:24:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

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




Race Reviews


5.0
Based on 2 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Fast and Simple

Full Review:

Parking and restrooms are of no issue arriving at the Park. This race has almost no crowd to contest with. If your looking for a low stress race, this is it!! A great race to BQ as well!!

Race Tips:

The beginning of the race goes through a nice neighborhood with mature trees, and a few neighbors cheering you on. The middle of the race has an out and back that it pretty boring and no shade, but if you have a cheer squad they can easily drive to a few locations to give a bit of inspiration (and hydration). The end of the race goes through some nice shady trails, which is nice to help further overheating, but the trails come with a couple turns, a small hill, and a bridge with a little bounce that make your legs wobble a bit. The crowd coming in the chute is loud and motivating!!

Full Review:

Fast and flat - BQed in 2014 - Great weather !!

Run it if you like small marathons without all the hype, crowd, etc ...

Race Tips:

Consistent split course -
Merging with half marathoners @ mile 20 can give you a boost.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Comfort Inn, Dearborn is ideally placed (can walk to the start - 10 minutes)