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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!



Napa Valley Marathon

Napa, CA
Sunday, March 7, 2027


  4.7 Stars from 7 Reviews
Top 50 Best Boston Qualifying Marathon for 2026

Course Description
The Napa Valley Marathon is a a net downhill course that follows the famed Silverado Trail from Calistoga to Napa The point to point marathon passes beautiful scenery, vineyards, and some of the most world-renowned wineries along the way.

Th course drops from nearly 400 feet above sea level at the start to about 60 feet above sea level at the finish line. Although it is net downhill, there are some rolling hills on this fast course, but the last five miles are flat.

March Other Marathons in March Other Marathons in California Marathons near Napa, CA



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Sunday, March 7, 2027
2026: Sunday, March 1, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Downhill
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 51°F (10°C)
Average High: 60°F (15°C)
Average Low: 42° F (5°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.75
Course Score: 99.75

Race Size

2026: 1,942 Finishers
2025: 1,478 Finishers
2024: 1,432 Finishers
2023: 1,452 Finishers
2022: 1,267 Finishers
2021: No Results

BQ Percentages

2026: 12.5%
2025: 13.2%
2024: 14.5%
2023: 15.3%
2022: 17.1%
2021: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 15 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 60°F  (16°C)
Low: 43°F  (6°C)

Race Start Conditions

45°F  (7°C)
Humidity: 88%

Mostly Cloudy
W 4 mph

PR Score

99.49

Course Score

99.75






Napa Valley Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Napa Valley Marathon was the 62nd largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 57th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 12.5% of Napa Valley Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 13.2% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Napa Valley Marathon ranked 94th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 80th so far in 2026. In California, it ranked 8th in 2025 and 6th so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Napa Valley Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Napa Valley Marathon has a Course Score of 99.75, ranking it as the 57th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 6th fastest marathon course in California.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Napa Valley Marathon a PR Score of 99.75. The PR Score ranks the Napa Valley Marathon as the 45th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 6th best marathon for a PR in California.

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

Napa Valley Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed57th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 6th fastest marathon course in California
Top 13% Nationally#6 of 35 in California
PR Potential45th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 6th best marathon for a PR in California
Top 10% Nationally#6 of 35 in California
Boston Qualifier Rate94th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 8th highest BQ percentage in California
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 20% Nationally#8 of 34 in California
Race Size62nd largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 10th largest marathon in California
Based on 2025 results
Top 11% Nationally#10 of 49 in California

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 395 feet (120m)
Min Elevation: 56 feet (17m)

Elevation Gain: 564 feet (171m)
Elevation Loss: 867 feet (264m)


Napa

Course updated 02/27/2026




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Compare the Napa Valley Marathon to other Marathons

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Race Reviews


4.7
Based on 7 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Good course but weather is usually bad!

Full Review:

Reviewed by TDL About 2024

Well organized

Full Review:

Really enjoyed this marathon. Busses to the start line parked there so you could sit on board right up to the start time (which was particularly great given the wet weather conditions this year). Really nice course with some small hills. Well organized gear drop and pick up. Very responsive and supportive race organizers. (The wine tasting our group did in Frogs Leap afterwards rounded off a great weekend). This is one I will definitely be back for!
Reviewed by Tommy About 2023

Full Review:

The Napa Valley Marathon is well organized and has one of the most scenic routes of any marathon. The best gear check bag ever (a backpack or duffle bag)! Post race area has everything for everyone, runners or spectators. Showers available for runners after the race.

Race Tips:

Due to the isolated route there are low fan support. The rolling hills are longer than it would appear on paper. Be prepared.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Staying in Napa might be the easiest due to road closures on race day. Buses will pick up at sponsor hotels or at the High School (finish line). Lots of discounts at vineyards and wineries for runners pre and post race.
Reviewed by MD About 2017

Full Review:

I loved the scenery and the other runners were very friendly! I got to meet people from all over (40+ countries). It was my first marathon, but it went off without a hitch due to the helpfulness of all the other runners. The course had more hills than I expected which didn't help my time, but it was still awesome and pretty much every uphill had a downhill. The race also hailed near the end, which didn't feel that great (only for about 5 minutes).

Race Tips:

Miles 15-20 are pretty hilly. Make sure you don't go out too fast. I did and it absolutely killed my pace for the last 4 miles. Set a pace and wear a watch so you can keep track of how you're doing. GPS actually held up on my Garmin for the most part, so you might be able to get your splits that way.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Arrive at the buses early as to get a good seat. I got in the first bus and was the first on the course (also first in the bathroom lines). I got a hotel in Fairfield because I'm a broke college student, but it worked out great (I did have to get up around 4:15 though).
Reviewed by Garrett Gardner About 2017

Full Review:

Beautiful course, easy check in. Missed racing with headphones.

Race Tips:

Net down hill but with some climbs in the first 6 miles.
Reviewed by NW About 2016

Great Race (2x finisher)

Full Review:

I ran this twice - very well organized and beautiful scenery. Not a lot of straightaways so visually pleasant to run (nothing worse than a 3 mile straightaway that seems to last forever). Although net down hill, it has plenty of hilly sections - some challenging (especially mile 19 - 20). Also, on the front end of the race the roads are banked around turns pretty severely - hard on the knees.

Race Tips:

In the front half, try to stay in the middle of the road, the camber is pretty severe.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Stayed downtown NAPA both times. Race is point to point, basically start in Calistoga and run Silver Trail 25 of the 26.2 miles. Buses left on time and it was really well organized. Great SWAG, shirt and bag.
Reviewed by Mike from Ohio About 2016

Full Review:

Nice course in a nice area with closed roads a majority of the way. Very little crowd support along the way since it is hard to get to the course while cars are not allowed on the roads.
Reviewed by JPK About 2012