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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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Newport Marathon (OR)

Newport, OR
Sunday, May 31, 2026


  5 Stars from 8 Reviews

Course Description
Starting in Yaquina Bay State Park at the historic "haunted" lighthouse, runners will head north along the ocean through some of Newport's picturesque neighborhoods. This loop through the city is primarily residential with a few short gentle hills and turns at street corners. Heading back through the starting area, runners will proceed downhill under the Yaquina Bay Bridge to the bayfront. Past shops, restaurants, galleries and a large fishing village, the course continues along the bay. Just past mile four, there is a short hill that rises about 40 feet then gently descends back to bay level where it continues for the remainder of the race. The course follows the Yaquina Bay and River estuary to mile 15 where it turns back toward town, retracing the same route. The gentle hill at mile four reappears at mile 26, and it's downhill from there to the finish. Along the course runners will be treated to a splendid variety of views and scenery, wildlife and shipping, fishermen and crabbers. It is a flat, very fast, and beautiful course that will produce numerous PR's. Our course is USATF certified and has proven to be a very good "first marathon" as well as an excellent qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

May Other Marathons in May Other Marathons in Oregon Marathons near Newport, OR



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: TBD
2026: Sunday, May 31, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Out and Back
Surface: Road/Pavement

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 53°F (11°C)
Average High: 58°F (14°C)
Average Low: 49° F (9°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.22
Course Score: 99.38

Race Size

2026: 397 Finishers
2025: 332 Finishers
2024: 359 Finishers
2023: 318 Finishers
2022: 281 Finishers
2021: No Results

BQ Percentages

2026: 15.6%
2025: 12.1%
2024: 14.2%
2023: 16%
2022: 21%
2021: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 15 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 64°F  (18°C)
Low: 48°F  (9°C)

Race Start Conditions

52°F  (11°C)
Humidity: 87%

Clear
N 5 mph

PR Score

98.86

Course Score

99.52






Newport Marathon (OR) Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Newport Marathon (OR) was the 194th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 169th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 15.6% of Newport Marathon (OR) finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 12.1% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Newport Marathon (OR) ranked 110th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 35th so far in 2026. In Oregon, it ranked 5th in 2025 and 3rd so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Newport Marathon (OR) with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Newport Marathon (OR) has a Course Score of 99.38, ranking it as the 137th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest marathon course in Oregon.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are slightly above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Newport Marathon (OR) a PR Score of 99.22. The PR Score ranks the Newport Marathon (OR) as the 127th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 4th best marathon for a PR in Oregon.

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

Newport Marathon (OR) Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed137th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 5th fastest marathon course in Oregon
Top 30% Nationally#5 of 10 in Oregon
PR Potential127th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 4th best marathon for a PR in Oregon
Top 28% Nationally#4 of 10 in Oregon
Boston Qualifier Rate110th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 5th highest BQ percentage in Oregon
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 23% Nationally#5 of 9 in Oregon
Race Size194th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 4th largest marathon in Oregon
Based on 2025 results
Top 33% Nationally#4 of 14 in Oregon

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 118 feet (35m)
Min Elevation: 8 feet (2m)

Elevation Gain: 335 feet (102m)
Elevation Loss: 405 feet (123m)


Newport

Course updated 05/12/2026




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Race Reviews


5.0
Based on 8 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Beautiful scenic fast course!

Full Review:

Small enough, no congestions, water and Gatorade at all stations, the most gorgeous coastal scenery! Beautiful weather and very manageable logistics.

Race Tips:

The first 4 miles are relatively flat with a small rise at mile 3 and then the “hill” at mile 4 which is not terrible and you get a nice downhill after which meant you’ll see that hill mile 25-26. Miles 4-24 are gorgeous coastal scenery and flat.

Air stations were great, high school volunteers were great.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Definitely stay at the Embarcadero Resort. It’s right across the finish line and the shuttle bus race morning. It’s also walking distance to restaurants.
Reviewed by LR About 2026

Fast course!

Full Review:

Love the small race feel. Easy to get to start, weather great and well organized.
Reviewed by lF About 2019

Great fast race

Full Review:

Have run this race 3 times and each time was a PR. Well organized, flat, and very fast. Love the views of the bay. Oregon coast in early June is cool so feel like I can train for this race and have a good shot at a PR. Course is well supported. Lots of porta potties at the beginning, fun finishers area with beer and big bowls of chowder. Expo is tiny, basically packet pick up.

Crowd support is limited since its mostly out and back on a two lane road. Spectators were fun and friendly. My favorite race of all my marathons.

Race Tips:

First 4 miles are in neighborhoods with some turns, but once you get down to the bay its an out and back and very flat.

Recommend staying at the Embarcadaro. Race shuttle picks you up before race then you finish across the street from the Embarcadaro.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

First 4 miles are in neighborhoods with some turns, but once you get down to the bay its an out and back and very flat. Recommend staying at the Embarcadaro. Race shuttle picks you up before race then you finish across the street from the Embarcadaro.
Reviewed by MLM About 2018

Great for First Run!

Full Review:

This was my first marathon, so I was looking for something a bit lower-key than the big city events. The course was BEAUTIFUL, we lucked out with a gorgeous sunny day, and the people were fantastic. Correction to the listing, this race did have pacing groups (although not well organized at times).

Race Tips:

Nice flat run; have fun!

Travel/Logistics Tips:

No problems with lodging, parking, etc.
Reviewed by Jeff About 2018

Full Review:

Beautiful race with great support. The weather was near perfect, starting in low fifties, finishing around 58. Oregon coast is unique and wonderful, definitely worth the trip. Also, the course is fast.

Race Tips:

Be aware that the last mile goes up about 65 feet, which can seem daunting after 25 miles.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Embarcadero Resort is a great place to stay and right at finish line.
Reviewed by BAB About 2017

Scenic out-and-back course

Full Review:

Extremely easy access to starting line porta-potties--the best of the 19 marathons I have run. I loved the scenic out-and-back course. I also enjoyed the town and the spaghetti dinner.

Race Tips:

If I were to run this race again, I would ease off my pacing through the first four miles through town due to hills and turns. The rest of the course is relatively straight and flat. The incline during the last half-mile was not as drastic as I anticipated; it cost me about 12 seconds during my final full-mile split.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

We rented a house in Newport, which provided easy access to race shuttles and finish area.
Reviewed by Dion About 2017

Full Review:

Great support, flat at sealevel, cool temp.
Reviewed by Mlb About 2013

Full Review:

This marathon is well supported, lots of aid stations, wonderful encouraging crowd, beautiful scenic course. Worth every penny you spend on it, and it's very reasonably priced!

Race Tips:

Often times foggy at start but warms up and clears off quickly. I have raced this 2x and had wonderful experiences.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

The Holiday Inn offers and early am continental breakfast with everything you need. They also offer a marathon discount. It's close to the bay so a little removed from the town but nice and quiet. The marathon shuttle does stop at this hotel!!
Reviewed by JIg About 2012