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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!


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Victoria Marathon

Victoria, BC
Sunday, October 11, 2026


  4.8 Stars from 4 Reviews

Course Description
The Victoria Marathon is a beautiful, seaside course with lots of mild undulations and lots of flat sections as well. There is about 35 meters of elevation difference between the high and low points of the course.

The typically cool, though possibly wet, weather coupled with a relatively flat course can make the Victoria Marathon a good PR course or Boston Qualifier.

October Other Marathons in October Other Marathons in British Columbia Marathons near Victoria, BC



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Sunday, October 11, 2026
2025: Sunday, October 12, 2025

Course Information

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

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 47°F (8°C)
Average High: 54°F (12°C)
Average Low: 40° F (4°C)

PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 98.36
Course Score: 98.36

Race Size

2025: 3,220 Finishers
2024: 2,220 Finishers
2023: 1,456 Finishers
2022: 1,189 Finishers
2021: No Results
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 9.3%
2024: 8%
2023: 12.9%
2022: 15%
2021: N/A
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No




Victoria Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Victoria Marathon was the 3rd largest marathon in Canada in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 6th largest marathon in Canada.

In 2025, 9.3% of Victoria Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 8% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Victoria Marathon ranked 13th among marathons in Canada in 2025 and 24th in 2024. In British Columbia, it ranked 1st in 2025 and 2nd in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Victoria Marathon has a Course Score of 98.36, ranking it as the 24th fastest marathon course in Canada and the 3rd fastest marathon course in British Columbia.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Victoria Marathon a PR Score of 98.36. The PR Score ranks the Victoria Marathon as the 21st best marathon in Canada for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 3rd best marathon for a PR in British Columbia.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Victoria Marathon compares with other marathons in Canada and British Columbia for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Victoria Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed24th fastest marathon course in Canada
Ranked 3rd fastest marathon course in British Columbia
Top 78% Nationally#3 of 3 in British Columbia
PR Potential21st best marathon for a Personal Record in Canada
Ranked 3rd best marathon for a PR in British Columbia
Top 68% Nationally#3 of 3 in British Columbia
Boston Qualifier Rate13th highest BQ percentage in Canada
Ranked 1st highest BQ percentage in British Columbia
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 45% Nationally#1 of 3 in British Columbia
Race Size3rd largest marathon in Canada
Ranked 2nd largest marathon in British Columbia
Based on 2025 results
Top 10% Nationally#2 of 3 in British Columbia

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 90 feet (27m)
Min Elevation: 10 feet (3m)

Elevation Gain: 790 feet (240m)
Elevation Loss: 793 feet (241m)


Victoria

Course updated 06/15/2026




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Victoria Marathon

View available accomodations around the Victoria Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.

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Compare the Victoria Marathon to other Marathons

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

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

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Victoria Marathon in 4:40:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

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


Time Converter Tool

Race Reviews


4.8
Based on 4 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Full Review:

Reviewed by Anonymous About 2025

Beautiful course

Full Review:

Its a very small marathon, the expo is absolutley ridiculous compared to other marathons, they dont have any finisher gear for purchase. Gorgeus scenic route , we had tough luck since it rained all day long and that made the race much harder. Its a very, and I mean very hilly route some light rolling but some steep. (train for hills). The post race area pretty much the same as the expo so dont expect anything of it.

Race Tips:

Pace yourself.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Lots of hotels near the stating/finish line, book early to get a good price.
Reviewed by AC About 2018

Great for all levels!

Full Review:

Beautiful course. Only one big hill (toward the end). Friendly volunteers and very well organized. Can't recommend it highly enough!!!!
Reviewed by Anonymous About 2018

Full Review:

As a package, Victoria may be the best in BC. The marathon course is undulating, but keeping an even effort, you can optimize for a good result. Familiarity helps. If you have never done it, you can pretty well drive the whole course and should. I believe they actually do have a course tour.

Race Tips:

Avoid the urge to go too fast at the start and try to hold even effort (not pace) as there are a lot of ups and downs. The scenery will distract you as it is fabulous course. Weather can be damp, but between half and full I've done this race 10 times (5 each) starting in 2000 through 2013 and mostly it has been great running weather - cool, light cloud to sunny, sometimes with a shower (generally not).

Travel/Logistics Tips:

There are many hotels near the start/finish, but you need to decide early and get on it if you want a good price and proximity. If you aren't hunting bargains, go for the Empress Hotel right on the harbour, about 400m from the finish.
Reviewed by DBC About 2013