NEW! Pace Bands on Your Phone. LEARN MORE...

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!


Marathon Pace Bands

Marathon Pace Bands

Run the Right Pace in Your Next Marathon

Nearly 500 marathon courses.
Ships same or Next Day


Woodlands Marathon

The Woodlands, TX
Saturday, February 27, 2027


  3.3 Stars from 11 Reviews
Top 50 Best Boston Qualifying Marathon for 2026

Course Description
The Woodlands Marathon course is a flat, fast, loop run through the streets of Town Center. The marathon finishes on the Woodlands Waterway.

February Other Marathons in February Other Marathons in Texas Marathons near The Woodlands, TX



Marathon Pace Bands

Want to run your best Woodlands Marathon?

Don't waste months of training only to run the wrong pace.


Woodlands Marathon Pace Bands are adjusted for the specific terrain of the course, your goal time and pacing strategies.



Only $9.99




Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Saturday, February 27, 2027
2026: Saturday, February 28, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Mostly Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 57°F (13°C)
Average High: 66°F (18°C)
Average Low: 47° F (8°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.34
Course Score: 99.34

Race Size

2026: 1,026 Finishers
2025: 945 Finishers
2024: 839 Finishers
2023: 821 Finishers
2022: 791 Finishers
2021: 872 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 8.2%
2025: 9.1%
2024: 14.1%
2023: 16.8%
2022: 9.5%
2021: 26.7%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 15 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 71°F  (22°C)
Low: 50°F  (10°C)

Race Start Conditions

53°F  (12°C)
Humidity: 82%

Clear
N 4 mph

PR Score

97.72

Course Score

99.22






Woodlands Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Woodlands Marathon was the 93rd largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 98th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 8.2% of Woodlands Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 9.1% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Woodlands Marathon ranked 151st among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 91st so far in 2026. In Texas, it ranked 2nd in 2025 and 2nd so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Woodlands Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Woodlands Marathon has a Course Score of 99.34, ranking it as the 150th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 9th fastest marathon course in Texas.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Woodlands Marathon a PR Score of 99.34. The PR Score ranks the Woodlands Marathon as the 108th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 5th best marathon for a PR in Texas.

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

Woodlands Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed150th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 9th fastest marathon course in Texas
Top 33% Nationally#9 of 26 in Texas
PR Potential108th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 5th best marathon for a PR in Texas
Top 24% Nationally#5 of 26 in Texas
Boston Qualifier Rate151st highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 2nd highest BQ percentage in Texas
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 32% Nationally#2 of 29 in Texas
Race Size93rd largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 6th largest marathon in Texas
Based on 2025 results
Top 16% Nationally#6 of 37 in Texas

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 195 feet (59m)
Min Elevation: 126 feet (38m)

Elevation Gain: 332 feet (101m)
Elevation Loss: 341 feet (103m)


Woodlands

Course updated 12/23/2025




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Woodlands Marathon

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

For a better mobile or desktop experience:






Compare the Woodlands Marathon to other Marathons

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

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

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Woodlands Marathon in 3:02:00, 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


3.3
Based on 11 reviews
Write Your Own Review

The best place. The most beautifull and flat course. I love to run i. This beautifull rece. I love r

Full Review:

The course the people. The attention to saefty. For runner. Lovely people. And the organization.

Race Tips:

Excellent to all runner. The course is flat. No hills. Alot of trees water station. The love of the residents.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Excellent prices. The hotels. Everything is available the restaurants, Fastest way to be to the place for the race. No too much traffic.
Reviewed by Luis Rojas About 2021

Well-organized race

Full Review:

The swag was pretty good, the course was well-organized, and the whole process went well. The start was a few minutes later than expected, but with the rolling start to socially-distance runners, it wasn't completely unexpected.

Race Tips:

Get there early enough to find parking and get lined up. Also, expect traffic in trying to leave - just relax and enjoy the area while you wait for roads to open back up :)
Reviewed by DG About 2021

Full Review:

Boring course with little crowd support. The course came up short .7 mile. Race organizers allowed the majority to miss a turn.
Reviewed by Tb About 2017

Full Review:

Every single race seems to have a major issue. This year the corse was too short. Many 5k participants didn't get shirts. Another year the full marathon shirts said half marathon.
Reviewed by Anonymous About 2017

Full Review:

Course is great, lots of restroom and refreshment stood along the way too.

Race Tips:

Course is mostly flat, through The Woodlands, TX. The course gets narrow at the end as you get on The Waterway Towards the finish line (less than 0.5 mile). Lots of parking too.
Reviewed by KRT About 2017

Full Review:

We loved the race last year and came back. This yr was a disaster! Packet pick up was unorganized! One runners name were on all our bibs for the relay. It wasn't the team name. One runner of our team was listed twice causing one runner's name not to be listed. The miles were off. We run almost a mile short and the relay was not appropriately divided. One leg was way longer in the relay 7+ miles while 2 runners ran less than 6 miles. Entire run was a mess. Left race feeling frustrated and not the typical euphoria feeling I have after a run.

Race Tips:

Your race your pace
Reviewed by LL About 2017

Full Review:

We were very fortunate with the weather this year. Very poor organization and planning, sorely disappointed that our BQ times may not be counted because the course leader took a wrong turn, shortening the overall distance run. There were also supposed to be 2 Gu stations, and there was only one; water stations were plentiful though.

Race Tips:

If you're from a flat city, be sure to get some hill training in for this one, because there are many small hills throughout the course.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Very easy parking in the Cynthia Woods Mitchell pavilion colored lots.
Reviewed by MG About 2017

Full Review:

I loved how much water and Gatorade were given to runners all throughout the course. Among many other things.
Reviewed by Mayra Caamano About 2017

Full Review:

I like the course as it is fast. The gentle undulations really help your time. It is not too crowded either.

Race Tips:

Run hard on the downhill sections, you will takes minutes off your pb.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Arrive one hour early to make sure you get parking close to the start line. There is a HEB car park within 50 yds.
Reviewed by Tm About 2017

Full Review:

Flat and fast. Crowd support is limited and mostly occurs in pockets near intersections/cheer zones. 2017 ended up being short due to lead LEO missing a turn, cutting out .8 mile. Volunteers are amazing and supportive. Weather can be uncertain (springtime in SE Texas), but in general has been reasonable and not too warm/humid.

Race Tips:

Course is flat - one "hill" (by Houston standards) between miles 12-13. A little rolling between miles 17-21, but most folks would consider this to be pretty flat. Miles 21-26 are flat to slight down, and the finish is on the Waterway. Weather can be unpredictable in this region, but the race has enjoyed moderate temps most years with some humidity.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Recommend arriving 1 hour before race time to avoid street closures. Be aware of corral closing times as these are enforced.
Reviewed by H About 2017

Full Review:

The route was wrong and we ran .8 miles less...
Reviewed by Emma About 2017