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Nebraska State Fair Marathon

Grand Island, NE
Saturday, August 29, 2026


  5 Stars from 2 Reviews

Course Description

No course description available at this time.


August Other Marathons in August Other Marathons in Nebraska Marathons near Grand Island, NE



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Saturday, August 29, 2026

Course Information

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

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 73°F (22°C)
Average High: 85°F (29°C)
Average Low: 61° F (16°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 96.70
Course Score: 99.71

Race Size

2026: 119 Finishers
2025: 123 Finishers
2024: 155 Finishers
2023: 138 Finishers
2022: 85 Finishers
2021: 66 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 9.2%
2025: 16.3%
2024: 14.8%
2023: 16.7%
2022: 14.1%
2021: 12.1%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 11 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 85°F  (29°C)
Low: 65°F  (18°C)

Race Start Conditions

66°F  (19°C)
Humidity: 84%

Clear
S 8 mph

PR Score

95.68

Course Score

99.74






Nebraska State Fair Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Nebraska State Fair Marathon was the 335th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 288th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 9.2% of Nebraska State Fair Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 16.3% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Nebraska State Fair Marathon ranked 54th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 116th so far in 2026. In Nebraska, it ranked 1st in 2025 and 1st so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Nebraska State Fair Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Nebraska State Fair Marathon has a Course Score of 99.71, ranking it as the 66th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest marathon course in Nebraska.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Nebraska State Fair Marathon a PR Score of 96.70. The PR Score ranks the Nebraska State Fair Marathon as the 378th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 4th best marathon for a PR in Nebraska.

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

Nebraska State Fair Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed66th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 1st fastest marathon course in Nebraska
Top 15% Nationally#1 of 6 in Nebraska
PR Potential378th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 4th best marathon for a PR in Nebraska
Top 82% Nationally#4 of 6 in Nebraska
Boston Qualifier Rate54th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 1st highest BQ percentage in Nebraska
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 12% Nationally#1 of 5 in Nebraska
Race Size335th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 4th largest marathon in Nebraska
Based on 2025 results
Top 57% Nationally#4 of 5 in Nebraska

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 1872 feet (570m)
Min Elevation: 1826 feet (556m)

Elevation Gain: 134 feet (40m)
Elevation Loss: 134 feet (40m)


Nebraska

Course updated 07/08/2026




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Compare the Nebraska State Fair Marathon to other Marathons

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Race Reviews


5.0
Based on 2 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Pancake flat course with great support

Full Review:

The course is flat. Very flat. Really possible for a fast race weather permitting. It's also very small- fewer than 100 full marathon runners, so once the half splits off- not a lot of people to chase or draft off. Lots of course support though, both from organizers and neighborhood good doers.

Race Tips:

There is no expo. If you need socks or Gu or whatever, head to Walmart. The second half of the course is a long loop mostly out and back, so I got to see the leaders (90 minutes in front of me). That was cool.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Lots of parking at the state fair grounds. Grand Island is a bigger city than I thought with lots of hotels and restaurants and a pretty downtown with a couple micro breweries.
Reviewed by Wer About 2023

Full Review:

Course is absolutely flat. Not enough port-o-pots on the course, some country roads, all paved, most of the race is within the city, so groups of people to cheer you on.

Race Tips:

No pacers at this race, you're on your own unless you find a runner running at the same speed you run. I never count on that, I run my own race, small runner total, less than 1000. Only had 2 locations where the directions weren't clear on which way to go, but was corrected immediately when I started going the wrong way.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Book early for closest hotels, no shuttles, I walked about 8 blocks, race starts and finishes at the fair grounds. Parking at the fair grounds for the runners, I walked as my husband needed the car to come later. The walk is nice, lots of lights on the street, it also gave me a chance to warm up the legs, and time to calm down the nerves. Nice place to eat is called Pam's it reminds me of good ol' fashion down to earth food, like what you would get at home or at a truck stop, if you have ever eaten at a truck stop. Arrive al least 30-45 min. ahead of the race as there is only 1 building open with bathrooms and a place to stay inside to stay warm. Race starts at 6:30 AM Was my 1st time running this race, going back in 2016 to try and qualify for Boston.
Reviewed by DLIB About 2015