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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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Mobile Marathon

Mobile, AL
Sunday, January 10, 2027


  4 Stars from 3 Reviews

Course Description
The Full Marathon course will be a double loop of the flat Half Marathon course.

January Other Marathons in January Other Marathons in Alabama Marathons near Mobile, AL



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Sunday, January 10, 2027
2026: Sunday, January 11, 2026

Course Information

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

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 48°F (8°C)
Average High: 57°F (13°C)
Average Low: 39° F (3°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.57
Course Score: 99.57

Race Size

2026: 114 Finishers
2025: 104 Finishers
2024: 61 Finishers
2023: No Results
2022: No Results
2021: No Results

BQ Percentages

2026: 16.7%
2025: 18.3%
2024: 18%
2023: N/A
2022: N/A
2021: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 10 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 56°F  (13°C)
Low: 38°F  (3°C)

Race Start Conditions

42°F  (6°C)
Humidity: 77%

Clear
N 7 mph

PR Score

98.8

Course Score

98.8






Mobile Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Mobile Marathon was the 361st largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 431st largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 16.7% of Mobile Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 18.3% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Mobile Marathon ranked 45th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 30th so far in 2026. In Alabama, it ranked 2nd in 2025 and 1st so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Mobile Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Mobile Marathon has a Course Score of 99.57, ranking it as the 92nd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest marathon course in Alabama.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Mobile Marathon a PR Score of 99.57. The PR Score ranks the Mobile Marathon as the 62nd best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 1st best marathon for a PR in Alabama.

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

Mobile Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed92nd fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 1st fastest marathon course in Alabama
Top 20% Nationally#1 of 8 in Alabama
PR Potential62nd best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 1st best marathon for a PR in Alabama
Top 14% Nationally#1 of 8 in Alabama
Boston Qualifier Rate45th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd highest BQ percentage in Alabama
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 10% Nationally#2 of 7 in Alabama
Race Size361st largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 5th largest marathon in Alabama
Based on 2025 results
Top 61% Nationally#5 of 7 in Alabama

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 33 feet (10m)
Min Elevation: 8 feet (2m)

Elevation Gain: 199 feet (60m)
Elevation Loss: 199 feet (60m)


Mobile

Course updated 12/09/2024




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Mobile Marathon

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

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Compare the Mobile Marathon to other Marathons

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

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

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Mobile Marathon in 3:28:00, 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


4.0
Based on 3 reviews
Write Your Own Review

No frills marathon

Full Review:

This is a very "no-frills" marathon. No real swag, not a ton of fans, no pacers, etc. That being said, if you want to go fast and are comfortable pacing yourself, this is definitely great course to set a new PR. The entire course is run on paved roads through downtown Mobile. The "hills" are very minimal. A decent number of turns, but several long flat or slightly downhill straightaways. With it being a double loop you see what you are up against in the first half and can use that to craft your second half strategy. There is one awkward turnaround at a cone after the first half, but otherwise nothing different. While fans are minimal there are lots of water/aid stations so it is well supported from that perspective, however, there are no gels on the course so bring what you need.

Race Tips:

Utilize the double loop to your advantage by getting a sense of what you need to do in the second half while running the first half. It is really easy to run the tangents on the turns and limit additional distance. Watch the weather, but you shouldn't have to worry about it being too warm in January.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Several hotels right by the start line. Super easy to navigate pre-race logistics. Small post-race party. Did I mention this is a "no-frills" race!
Reviewed by TC About 2025

Full Review:

Small race, good scenery, great cause, easy and convenient to run! It's a great race to pair with MS Blues and they offer back-to-back medals and plaques.

Race Tips:

Don't stress over your time in miles 14-19. They are the most difficult on the whole course. Smart running there should leave you with enough to negative split the last 10k.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Stay at the Holiday Inn, Downtown Mobile. It was very affordable through the race discount code, offered free parking and late checkout (only for people who booked in the marathon block though), was 200 yards from the expo, 20 yards from the start line, and less than half a mile from the finish. Perfect!!!
Reviewed by SH About 2017

Full Review:

You cannot use your headphones. This was almost a break it deal for me. The only reason I signed up for this one was that I planned to do the back to back challenge with the Mississippi Blues Marathon. That race was cancelled but, I decided to do the First Light marathon since I had traveled all that distance (from Colorado). I have run 8 marathons between September 2016 and mid-April 2017- this one ranks 7/8 with eight being the lowest.

Race Tips:

It was freezing and there were some unexpected hills in the middle of the course.
Reviewed by KS About 2017