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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

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White River Marathon

Cotter, AR
Saturday, November 21, 2026


  4.8 Stars from 4 Reviews

Course Description
The White River Marathon course is flat and runs along the scenic White River with bluffs on one side of the road.

The course starts at 640 feet and drops nearly 200 feet in the first mile. The rest of the course is flat.

November Other Marathons in November Other Marathons in Arkansas Marathons near Cotter, AR



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Saturday, November 21, 2026
2025: Saturday, November 22, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Multiple Out and Backs
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: 36° F (2°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.31
Course Score: 99.31

Race Size

2025: 147 Finishers
2024: 122 Finishers
2023: 124 Finishers
2022: 114 Finishers
2021: 91 Finishers
2020: 222 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2025: 10.9%
2024: 24.6%
2023: 22.6%
2022: 14.8%
2021: 14.3%
2020: 8.1%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 14 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 57°F  (14°C)
Low: 34°F  (1°C)

Race Start Conditions

41°F  (5°C)
Humidity: 81%

Clear
N 4 mph

PR Score

99.04

Course Score

99.42






White River Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The White River Marathon was the 307th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 331st largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 10.9% of White River Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 24.6% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the White River Marathon ranked 121st among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 34th in 2024. In Arkansas, it ranked 2nd in 2025 and 1st in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The White River Marathon has a Course Score of 99.31, ranking it as the 158th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest marathon course in Arkansas.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the White River Marathon a PR Score of 99.31. The PR Score ranks the White River Marathon as the 113th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 2nd best marathon for a PR in Arkansas.

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

White River Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed158th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd fastest marathon course in Arkansas
Top 35% Nationally#2 of 8 in Arkansas
PR Potential113th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd best marathon for a PR in Arkansas
Top 25% Nationally#2 of 8 in Arkansas
Boston Qualifier Rate121st highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd highest BQ percentage in Arkansas
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 26% Nationally#2 of 7 in Arkansas
Race Size307th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 4th largest marathon in Arkansas
Based on 2025 results
Top 52% Nationally#4 of 10 in Arkansas

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 644 feet (196m)
Min Elevation: 428 feet (130m)

Elevation Gain: 482 feet (146m)
Elevation Loss: 640 feet (195m)


White

Course updated 12/28/2023




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Compare the White River Marathon to other Marathons

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Race Reviews


4.8
Based on 4 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Great PR course in a small, friendly race

Full Review:

2020 races are hard to come by, and I needed to get Arkansas for my 50 state challenge, so this was great.

Registration was capped at 750, but the half marathon shares the same course (one loop for half marathon, 2 for full). The loop does NOT include mile 1 from the start line, so the finish is at a different point, one mile from the start.

Here's why- the first mile is a steep downhill from the start down to a road that encompasses the rest of the course. You only do that downhill one time, so on the second loop for the full they move the turnaround cone a half mile down the road. The flat road. The very flat road.

So this is BQable for sure. I'd love if that first hill was four miles down, but still.

The road itself is paved and is fine. Pretty in spots, but often just a road, with the beautiful White river visible at times but also not.

Race Tips:

There were no pacers, and the corral start meant people were pretty strung out quickly. The course road is NOT closed, but not real busy with cars and trucks towing fishing boats. This was a minor disruption (say 10 cars passed me in 3 1/2 hours) and no stop signs or anything, but you do have to keep an eye out for traffic.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Parking at the school at the start was plentiful. No need to arrive more than an hour before gun. I stayed at the Cotter Trout Lodge, 2 miles from the start in the very sleepy town of Cotter. It was affordable and the staff was super polite. The room was clean and had a new TV but otherwise dated. It was a nice hotel and I'd stay there again for sure. There is a little restaurant next door that had great fried chicken after the race- the White Sands.
Reviewed by wer About 2020

Awesome Boston Qualifier

Full Review:

I've ran a flat fast course before but this has to be the best. Small marathon but put together very well. It’s a two loop course so you get to see a lot of the runners at different times. It's ran along the beautiful White River in Arkansas.
Reviewed by M Whitt About 2018

Full Review:

Reviewed by Rt About 2016

Full Review:

Nice pasta dinner night before race,a few businesses setup with gels,clothing and shoes. Soup,chili and pizza after race was just what I needed after burning up all my fuel!

Race Tips:

Flattest race I've ever done,along the White River on a paved road. Looking for a BQ,this is it!
Reviewed by KS About 2012