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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

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St. Joseph Missouri Marathon

St. Joseph, MO
Saturday, September 26, 2026


  4 Stars from 1 Reviews

Course Description
This scenic and challenging race route which begins and ends behind Civic Center Park in downtown St. Joseph, will take participants from north to south and embodies numerous St. Joseph landmarks (Krug Park, Hyde Park, Lovers Lane, Ashland Avenue, Pony Express Museum, the Museum Hill Area) along with incorporating nine miles of the city's historic parkway system.





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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Saturday, September 26, 2026
2025: Saturday, September 27, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Mostly Out and Back
Surface: Road/Pavement

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


Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 65°F (18°C)
Average High: 78°F (25°C)
Average Low: 52° F (11°C)





PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 94.10
Course Score: 95.82


Race Size

2025: 87 Finishers
2024: 80 Finishers
2023: 101 Finishers
2022: No Results
2021: No Results
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 3.5%
2024: 1.3%
2023: 16.8%
2022: N/A
2021: N/A
2020: N/A


Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 3 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 84°F  (29°C)
Low: 57°F  (14°C)

Race Start Conditions

60°F  (16°C)
Humidity: 92%

Overcast
N 8 mph

PR Score

92.32

Course Score

95.82









St. Joseph Missouri Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The St. Joseph Missouri Marathon was the 403rd largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 390th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 3.5% of St. Joseph Missouri Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 1.3% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the St. Joseph Missouri Marathon ranked 350th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 411th in 2024. In Missouri, it ranked 6th in 2025 and 9th in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.


The St. Joseph Missouri Marathon has a Course Score of 95.82, ranking it as the 425th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 8th fastest marathon course in Missouri.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the St. Joseph Missouri Marathon a PR Score of 94.10. The PR Score ranks the St. Joseph Missouri Marathon as the 432nd best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 7th best marathon for a PR in Missouri.

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

St. Joseph Missouri Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed425th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 8th fastest marathon course in Missouri
Top 92% Nationally#8 of 8 in Missouri
PR Potential432nd best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 7th best marathon for a PR in Missouri
Top 94% Nationally#7 of 8 in Missouri
Boston Qualifier Rate350th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 6th highest BQ percentage in Missouri
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 74% Nationally#6 of 9 in Missouri
Race Size403rd largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 8th largest marathon in Missouri
Based on 2025 results
Top 68% Nationally#8 of 13 in Missouri

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




Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 1055 feet (321m)
Min Elevation: 852 feet (259m)

Elevation Gain: 1653 feet (503m)
Elevation Loss: 1653 feet (503m)


St.

Course updated 09/10/2023





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Compare the St. Joseph Missouri Marathon to other Marathons

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Compare the details of the St. Joseph Missouri Marathon side-by-side with other marathons with our Comparison Tool.


If you ran the St. Joseph Missouri Marathon in 5:56:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

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




Race Reviews


4.0
Based on 1 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Great Race Production-Fun but Challenging

Full Review:

Very, very hilly but pretty. I knew it was hilly going into it so it was a fun challenge rather than a dreadful surprise.

Great production. Hundreds of volunteers along course in high-viz yellow shirts assisting at intersections, water stations. I would recommend to anyone looking for great training race (hills) or anyone not trying to PR.

Race Tips:

Very Hilly but very peaceful course. I ran this marathon like a long run effort not really a race effort which made it enjoyable.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Lots of nearby parking, super easy logistics. Start/Finish line was 10-15 min drive from many hotel options. One of the easiest races I have raced. Recommend it if its driveable and you are not looking to PR.