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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

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best marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.

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North Central Rail Trail Marathon

Sparks, MD
Saturday, November 28, 2026


  4.2 Stars from 5 Reviews

Course Description
The North Central Rail Trail Marathon is an out and back course primarily along the Northern Central Railroad Trail. The start is at historic Oldfields School and will go downhill on Glencoe Road approximately 0.8 miles to the NCR trail where it will turn right onto the trail and will go out and back along the NCR Trail. Runners will finish on the NCR Trail.

The NCR Trail is comprised of packed dirt and limestone.

November Other Marathons in November Other Marathons in Maryland Marathons near Sparks, MD



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Saturday, November 28, 2026
2025: Saturday, November 29, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Out and Back
Surface: Mostly on Trails

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 38°F (3°C)
Average High: 43°F (6°C)
Average Low: 32° F (0°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.41
Course Score: 99.41

Race Size

2025: 287 Finishers
2024: 274 Finishers
2023: 278 Finishers
2022: 260 Finishers
2021: 170 Finishers
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 12.2%
2024: 13.1%
2023: 20.5%
2022: 14.2%
2021: 19.4%
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 15 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 47°F  (8°C)
Low: 31°F  (-1°C)

Race Start Conditions

36°F  (2°C)
Humidity: 71%

Clear
W 6 mph

PR Score

99.01

Course Score

99.06






North Central Rail Trail Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The North Central Rail Trail Marathon was the 216th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 205th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 12.2% of North Central Rail Trail Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 13.1% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the North Central Rail Trail Marathon ranked 108th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 113th in 2024. In Maryland, it ranked 2nd in 2025 and 4th in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The North Central Rail Trail Marathon has a Course Score of 99.41, ranking it as the 128th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 3rd fastest marathon course in Maryland.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the North Central Rail Trail Marathon a PR Score of 99.41. The PR Score ranks the North Central Rail Trail Marathon as the 91st best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 1st best marathon for a PR in Maryland.

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

North Central Rail Trail Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed128th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd fastest marathon course in Maryland
Top 28% Nationally#3 of 7 in Maryland
PR Potential91st best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 1st best marathon for a PR in Maryland
Top 20% Nationally#1 of 7 in Maryland
Boston Qualifier Rate108th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd highest BQ percentage in Maryland
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 23% Nationally#2 of 10 in Maryland
Race Size216th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 4th largest marathon in Maryland
Based on 2025 results
Top 37% Nationally#4 of 11 in Maryland

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 589 feet (179m)
Min Elevation: 258 feet (78m)

Elevation Gain: 409 feet (124m)
Elevation Loss: 554 feet (168m)


North

Course updated 12/27/2023




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Race Reviews


4.2
Based on 5 reviews
Write Your Own Review

They have port-a-pots!

Full Review:

There was a time when that wasn't the case. You will be DQed if you "whip it out" on the grounds.

The race begins at a private girls' school. Runners have access to the gym, but NOT the indoor plumbing (and there are guards).

It's a steep, mostly downhill trek to the actual NCR Rail Trail. The road from the girls' school to same can get crowded easily and thus dangerous...just hold back until you're on the trail. The trail itself is going to b crowded for a while before things thin out.

Very slight incline out, very slight decline back. You don't have to run back to the school; shuttle buses run a constant circuit between the finish line on the trail and the school itself.

WARM FOOD IN THE GYM AFTER! It's like heaven in a bowl.

Race Tips:

If you're doing the marathon, you are sharing space with the half-marathoners, who start later. They get in the way at the school. Do NOT punch them. That's frowned upon.

Just stay frosty on that first net downhill on the road. Cut loose once you hit the trail. It bears repeating.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

CARPOOL. If you have four people in a vehicle, you can park at the school; otherwise, you need to take a shuttle from nearby parking areas.

Portables are at the top of the switchbacks on the campus. It's a pain to go from the gym to there...it builds character.
Reviewed by AMT About 2022

Flat but uneven gravel surface, crowded for a Rail Trail marathon

Full Review:

The race volunteers and organizers are really wonderful people. Everyone on the course was extraordinarily helpful and kind. The first mile is a downhill and the rest was a slight incline or decline as rail trails are. The trail was fairly narrow and a little crowded. The swag including the medal does not differentiate between the marathon and half marathon, if you care about that. There were 320 persons running the full and almost double for the half. Good separation between the two. It was cold-35 degrees with rain around noon. Late start times, 8:30 and 9:00 am. Prepare for hot or cold weather, November varies from year to year. Nowhere to change out of cold and wet clothes except port a potties. I'd probably not do this race again, but if you like gravel rail trails the scenery is beautiful, and the staff were amazing.

Race Tips:

Train on trails and gravel, fairly flat surfaces.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

If you have 4 persons in a car you can get prime parking. No running water or flush toilets at the private girl's boarding school the race starts at. You can stop at Monkton on the NCR trail for proper bathrooms.
Reviewed by CB About 2018

Well organized, nice swag, scenic rail trail

Full Review:

Well organized. Better parking for groups of 3 or 4 (walk to school gymnasium) or satellite parking lot with bus service; stay warm in gym until marathon (8:30) or half (9:00). Great bag drop - bring your own bag of any type (backpack and gym bags fine) and bring change of clothes (although no changing facilities in gym)). Ample portable toilets on hill behind gym. Food truck at finish, but too cold and wet to check it out. Nice medal and finisher's blanket at end and good quarter zip race shirt too. You won't see the half marathon runners unless they are walkers. Enough runners to be near someone if you want, but not feel crowded. All in all, a well-run race that would be great on a crisp fall day.

Race Tips:

Downhill start for 0.8 miles (try to hold back, but it's hard), then packed limestone/rock trail with gradual incline out and decline back. Usually has two clear tracks so look ahead and stay on the inside track. Water stops are 2-3.5 miles apart - would help to have sign at water stop saying when next one is, but best to bring own bottle too.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Car pool (3 for lot near start and 4 for lot at start) to avoid buses. Arrive at satellite early and then gym has chairs set up
Reviewed by BA About 2018

Full Review:

Smallish (500 or so) marathon put on by the Baltimore Road Runners Club for over a quarter century in Sparks, MD at Sparks Elementary School. School provides a nice warm environment until race begins and serves as the post-race headquarters. Unique awards and hand-written finisher certificates add a nice touch. Very nice giveaway item (sweatshirt, fleece pullover, etc.) Pretty flat out and back course run through pretty countryside on a historic rails-to-trails path. Tough hill near the end so prepare to work over the last couple of miles. Very well organized.
Reviewed by KS About 2016

Full Review:

Great run! It's mostly alongside a river on an old railroad bed, so a nice wide, flat trail. Support is good, small but very friendly. I've run it twice. Loved everything!

Race Tips:

There is an on-road portion at the beginning and end of the marathon, kind of hilly. The rest is flat, on dirt and crushed gravel.
Reviewed by HWB About 2016