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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

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Run for the Ranch Marathon

Springfield, MO
Saturday, December 27, 2025


  4.8 Stars from 4 Reviews

Course Description
The Run for the Ranch Marathon course starts and finishes at Parking Lot #24 at Kings St. and Grand St. on the MSU Campus.

The course is eight loops of a flat 3.275 mile course.

December Other Marathons in December Other Marathons in Missouri Marathons near Springfield, MO



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: TBD
2025: Saturday, December 27, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Very Flat
Type: Multiple Loops
Surface: Road/Pavement

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 33°F (0°C)
Average High: 43°F (6°C)
Average Low: 23° F (-5°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 98.87
Course Score: 98.87

Race Size

2026: No Results
2025: 43 Finishers
2024: 50 Finishers
2023: 44 Finishers
2022: No Results
2021: 30 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: N/A
2025: 4.7%
2024: 14%
2023: 20.5%
2022: N/A
2021: 6.7%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 13 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 51°F  (11°C)
Low: 32°F  (0°C)

Race Start Conditions

43°F  (6°C)
Humidity: 70%

Clear
S 9 mph

PR Score

90.96

Course Score

91.38






Run for the Ranch Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Run for the Ranch Marathon was the 477th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 456th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 4.7% of Run for the Ranch Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 14% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Run for the Ranch Marathon ranked 298th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 100th in 2024. In Missouri, it ranked 4th in 2025 and 1st in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Run for the Ranch Marathon has a Course Score of 98.87, ranking it as the 241st fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest marathon course in Missouri.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Run for the Ranch Marathon a PR Score of 98.87. The PR Score ranks the Run for the Ranch Marathon as the 181st best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 1st best marathon for a PR in Missouri.

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

Run for the Ranch Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed241st fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd fastest marathon course in Missouri
Top 53% Nationally#2 of 8 in Missouri
PR Potential181st best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 1st best marathon for a PR in Missouri
Top 40% Nationally#1 of 8 in Missouri
Boston Qualifier Rate298th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 4th highest BQ percentage in Missouri
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 63% Nationally#4 of 9 in Missouri
Race Size477th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 12th largest marathon in Missouri
Based on 2025 results
Top 81% Nationally#12 of 13 in Missouri

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



Elevation Chart

Max Elevation: 1316 feet (401m)
Min Elevation: 1280 feet (390m)


Run



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Compare the Run for the Ranch Marathon to other Marathons

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

Do you want to see how the Run for the Ranch Marathon stacks up against other marathons?

Compare the details of the Run for the Ranch Marathon side-by-side with other marathons with our Comparison Tool.


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Run for the Ranch Marathon in 4:48:00, 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


4.8
Based on 4 reviews
Write Your Own Review

A Very Cold, But Very Memorable Marathon

Full Review:

One of the last marathons run in the calendar year, I did this race in 2017 to cross Missouri off my list for state marathons. Leading up to the race their was ample communication from the race organizers via Facebook and through email. They were also prompt to answer questions I had. Packet pickup was a breeze the day before. Parking race day morning was plentiful at Missouri State University (being the college is out for the winter break). In fact we parked very close to the start / finish line! The course itself is easy physically (very flat run around the University and local neighborhood), but challenging mentally in that you do 8 full loops for the marathon. While not like this every year, in 2017 it was freezing cold (18º with wind chills in the single digits), and that added to the challenge of the race. While there is little to no crowd support along the race route (again this could be due to how cold it was in 2017), there was great support at the aide stations though as they fought to keep the water / gatorade unfrozen and also provided plenty of other fuel. One of the best parts of the race that I will always remember was crossing the finish line and provided with a nice hot cup of chicken noodle soup in the post-race aide tent. Yum!
Reviewed by Aaron Riddle About 2017

Full Review:

Good support, easy course.

Race Tips:

8 laps, can be chilly.
Reviewed by JJM About 2015

Set a PR here!

Full Review:

I ran this in 2015 6 days after the Dallas Marathon (which sucked for me) and the weather was perfection. It was about 45 degrees the whole time, crisp and sunny. Our parking spot was literally 25 feet from the finish line. I loved the 8 loop course because it was super flat, you knew exactly where the aid station was, they got to know you and what you wanted and the on-course support was great!

Race Tips:

You run under the timing area each lap and can see your time on the clock - helps you figure out if you are on pace, if you're trying for that! There is a short section in the middle where you see the other runners on course, so that was fun to "high five" and "good job" versus the boredom of never seeing anyone!

Travel/Logistics Tips:

My friend and I stayed at her sister's house in town. No traffic, parking is literally RIGHT THERE. 10 am start is great for a cold race. Highly recommend!
Reviewed by DBC About 2015

Full Review:

I really like these smaller more intimate races. This is run by the Ozark Mtn Ridge Runners and my experience is races run by local running groups really get it! This race is 100 plus in the full and 200 plus in the half. The course is a 3.2 plus loop done 8 times (4 for the half). Many folks complained about this but I like it. You know exactly what to expect and when the aid stops appear. I think a runner attempting to run for a PR would do well with this set-up.

Race Tips:

The loop is very flat. There are no hills but there are a few false flats. My garmin said I had 364 feet gained for the whole race. In 2013 we had ideal weather but usually runners can expect cold temps. The race begins at 10:00 to help with that. I'm not fond of the later starts but maybe I'd feel differently if it had been 20 degrees. There is one aid stop that we pass twice every lap and it has sports drink, gels and enthusiastic volunteers. After the race there's a heated tent w/ pizza and more traditional race food.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I stayed @ the Holiday Inn express which was about 5 minutes from the race start. The loop begins and ends on the Missouri State campus and there's a large, super convenient parking lot. Runners can easily arrive under 30 minutes before the start. There is a race day packet pick-up.
Reviewed by EMR About 2013