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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!



bg26.2 Marathon

Bowling Green, KY
Sunday, November 1, 2026


  5 Stars from 5 Reviews

Course Description
The double loop bg26.2 Marathon course starts at the Bowling Green Ball Park and runs through downtown Bowling Green and the Western Kentucky University campus.

November Other Marathons in November Other Marathons in Kentucky Marathons near Bowling Green, KY



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Sunday, November 1, 2026
2025: Sunday, November 2, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Multiple Loops
Surface: Road/Pavement

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

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 53°F (11°C)
Average High: 65°F (18°C)
Average Low: 41° F (5°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 96.81
Course Score: 96.81

Race Size

2025: 92 Finishers
2024: 96 Finishers
2023: 84 Finishers
2022: 85 Finishers
2021: 90 Finishers
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 1.1%
2024: 1%
2023: 4.8%
2022: 3.5%
2021: 5.6%
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 12 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 65°F  (18°C)
Low: 43°F  (6°C)

Race Start Conditions

47°F  (8°C)
Humidity: 84%

Clear
N 3 mph

PR Score

96.66

Course Score

97.63






bg26.2 Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The bg26.2 Marathon was the 389th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 361st largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 1.1% of bg26.2 Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 1% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the bg26.2 Marathon ranked 433rd among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 415th in 2024. In Kentucky, it ranked 5th in 2025 and 5th in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The bg26.2 Marathon has a Course Score of 96.81, ranking it as the 404th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 4th fastest marathon course in Kentucky.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the bg26.2 Marathon a PR Score of 96.81. The PR Score ranks the bg26.2 Marathon as the 366th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 4th best marathon for a PR in Kentucky.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the bg26.2 Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Kentucky for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

bg26.2 Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed404th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 4th fastest marathon course in Kentucky
Top 88% Nationally#4 of 4 in Kentucky
PR Potential366th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 4th best marathon for a PR in Kentucky
Top 80% Nationally#4 of 4 in Kentucky
Boston Qualifier Rate433rd highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 5th highest BQ percentage in Kentucky
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 91% Nationally#5 of 6 in Kentucky
Race Size389th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 4th largest marathon in Kentucky
Based on 2025 results
Top 66% Nationally#4 of 7 in Kentucky

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 618 feet (188m)
Min Elevation: 476 feet (145m)

Elevation Gain: 1329 feet (405m)
Elevation Loss: 1329 feet (405m)


bg26.2

Course updated 11/05/2025




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the bg26.2 Marathon

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Compare the bg26.2 Marathon to other Marathons

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

Do you want to see how the bg26.2 Marathon stacks up against other marathons?

Compare the details of the bg26.2 Marathon side-by-side with other marathons with our Comparison Tool.


Comparison Tool

If you ran the bg26.2 Marathon in 4:24:00, 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


5.0
Based on 5 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Beautiful college town!

Full Review:

The course is a mixture of hills and flats. The entire experience, from packet pickup to swag to after race environment is excellent
Reviewed by Paula About 2026

Great Race !!

Full Review:

Great race lots of Volunteers and support from the community! The Bg 26.2 committee does an amazing job each year putting this on. It is hilly and a good workout. Everything from pickle juice tables to water to snacks along the route and the best Swag!

Race Tips:

Be prepared for hills.
Reviewed by Anna F. About 2024

Great people and course

Full Review:

Well organized/ personalized/ beautiful course and challenging

Race Tips:

Prepare for hills.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Very easy to park and access course
Reviewed by Kathy Napier About 2024

BG26.2 in Bowling Green, KY

Full Review:

I liked this race, a lot harder than Chicago, but easier than Nashville. It is a double loop course, not my favorite. The first mile is brutal, first 6 is hilly around WKU campus. Swag is awesome. Wish finisher medal was different for half vs whole, but classic and heavy. The course is pretty neat. Plenty of water, Gatorade, pickle juice, watermelon, gel ect... 6th year of race, first half is nice when you are running with the halfers, only 160 run the full. Nice meal at Corvette Museum night before race. Raises money for MS. Can't be compared to the big races, that would not be fair. If you Boston qualify on this course, you are a beast. I finished 57 of 166, time 4:35. My PR Chicago 4:23. Just started running distance last year. Warmer than usual 2017, and was quite windy. Course marked very well. Bowling Green is very nice. I run this honestly to help me prepare for Disney in January. Race has pacers, no splits called. I would rate the half very high because you get hills out of the way at begging of race. Young marathon and poised to grow! Price around $100. Very fair considering great cause at great swag!

Race Tips:

Major hills at beginning, double loop course, so hills again at 14 mile mark. Well organized!

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Plenty of choices, adequate parking. No issues. Tons of restaurants.
Reviewed by Justin Wilkins - Psalm 26.2 About 2017

Well organized small town marathon on a challenging course

Full Review:

Well organized small town marathon on a challenging course. You won't see spectators other than around the start/finish line, but there are enough runners that you are unlikely to be alone. Weather is very unpredictable, but that's part of the challenge.

Race Tips:

The marathon course is two laps on the half marathon course. The first half of the course is very hilly, and you'll run all those hills twice.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

You don't need to arrive very early because it's a small race. There is plenty of parking close to the start.
Reviewed by C.B. About 2017