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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!



Redding Marathon

Redding, CA
Sunday, January 17, 2027


  4.3 Stars from 3 Reviews

Course Description
The start line for the Redding Marathon is at the famous Shasta Dam located north of Redding in the town of Shasta Lake City. You will run across the dam and descend down to the paved trail that parallels the Sacramento River. Stunning views await you as you will run the 1st 9.7 miles to the Keswick transistion ( leg 1-2 of the relay)

Miles 10 to 18: ~Year two of the reroute due to the 2018 CARR FireMiles 10 to 18 will take you into the town of Old Shasta and quickly onto a descending paved trail back to the River Trail. This section of the course was severely burned during the CARR fire of 2018. As the area rebounds, you will see green growth as the plants and trees reappear. While the climb into Old Shasta is steep you will find that you will make up time on the descent.

Miles 18-26.2: Here you will rejoin the Sacramento River Trail and run a route across the historic Diestlhorst Bridge ( leg 2-3 transition) running out and back on the north side of the river trail and finishing on the iconic glass Sundial Bridge!

January Other Marathons in January Other Marathons in California Marathons near Redding, CA



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Sunday, January 17, 2027
2026: Sunday, January 18, 2026

Course Information

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

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 45°F (7°C)
Average High: 55°F (12°C)
Average Low: 35° F (1°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.35
Course Score: 99.35

Race Size

2026: 239 Finishers
2025: 168 Finishers
2024: 145 Finishers
2023: 109 Finishers
2022: 109 Finishers
2021: No Results

BQ Percentages

2026: 1.7%
2025: 8.3%
2024: 6.2%
2023: 6.4%
2022: 4.6%
2021: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 14 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 59°F  (15°C)
Low: 39°F  (4°C)

Race Start Conditions

43°F  (6°C)
Humidity: 76%

Clear
N 4 mph

PR Score

99.68

Course Score

99.69






Redding Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Redding Marathon was the 285th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 297th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 1.7% of Redding Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 8.3% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Redding Marathon ranked 178th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 201st so far in 2026. In California, it ranked 12th in 2025 and 18th so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Redding Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Redding Marathon has a Course Score of 99.35, ranking it as the 146th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 9th 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 Redding Marathon a PR Score of 99.35. The PR Score ranks the Redding Marathon as the 105th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 8th best marathon for a PR in California.

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

Redding Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed146th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 9th fastest marathon course in California
Top 32% Nationally#9 of 34 in California
PR Potential105th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 8th best marathon for a PR in California
Top 23% Nationally#8 of 34 in California
Boston Qualifier Rate178th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 12th highest BQ percentage in California
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 38% Nationally#12 of 34 in California
Race Size285th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 26th largest marathon in California
Based on 2025 results
Top 48% Nationally#26 of 49 in California

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 1084 feet (330m)
Min Elevation: 486 feet (148m)

Elevation Gain: 754 feet (229m)
Elevation Loss: 1326 feet (404m)


Redding

Course updated 07/03/2024




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Redding Marathon

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Compare the Redding Marathon to other Marathons

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

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

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Redding Marathon in 4:11:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

See how your finish time would compare on other marathon courses with our Time Conversion Tool.


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Race Reviews


4.3
Based on 3 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Great scenic marathon in Nor Cal

Full Review:

Logistics: registration in person and getting from finish to start via shuttle buses was smooth and easy. Low priced marathon even registering day before. Great t-shirt (long-sleeve with 1/4 zip).

Course: spectacular dramatic start at top of Shasta Dam with fast descent on road for first 2-3 miles. Then transition to paved river trails for most of the rest of the race. Flat up until mile ~11 and then some notable hills that shake up the legs. Another descent back to flats with a few short/steep little hills in mile 24 that are surprising but not long. Route marking was a little lacking in last 2 miles with multiple intersections not clear. A few runners were misled by lead cyclist which made them add an extra miles, but most won't be in that situation. Enjoy this scenery - it's the #1 reason I ran it.

Post-race: great finish line on Sundial Bridge, very warm welcome back with a mylar blankie which is helpful because temps are cool for this place, great post-race food (soup and pie!). Results were a bit informal and not posted within ~1 hr, but you could ask how you finished. Nice plaques for top 3 age groupers.

Race Tips:

The marathon relay makes it interesting and creates fun crowds at the transitions, which was helpful to us solo marathoners. It also made it harder to track who was ahead/behind me if you're keeping score of your relative place, but it all washes out in the end. Relayers gave me someone to chase once in a while. Save something for the later hills in Miles 11-13 and Mile 24; don't go hard on that first long, big downhill, or you will regret it, and I train a lot on hilly trails.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Be familiar with course map. Some areas on this course are a little tricky. Get a hotel near race finish and ask for late check out, so you can get back and shower for the long drive home if you're from out of town. Hang out afterwards to meet great local runners.
Reviewed by JE About 2024

Full Review:

Most beautiful views the whole way. Awesome volunteers and well organized.

Race Tips:

Be PREPARED for the hills.
Reviewed by Km About 2017

Full Review:

Pretty course, good wildlife. However, the aid station fuel didn't match what the website said. In fact, no calories provided in first half of the race. Deceptively hilly with lots of subtle rolling. Still fun though, just tough going.

Race Tips:

Bring a couple of your own gu's even if you don't usually do that. Maybe more hill training. Don't expect any socializing. It's a quiet race, and i think often a wet race.
Reviewed by markv About 2016