Last Chance BQ Options for the 2026 Boston Marathon

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The 2026 Boston Marathon registration period likely open on September 8, 2025. That means the weekend of September 6-7 will be your last opportunity to run a qualifying time if you’re hoping to run the 2026 race.

The Boston Marathon Cutoff Time Tracker is currently projecting a cutoff time of 5:46, and when the dust settles it’s very likely that the actual cutoff time will be above 5:00.

If you don’t currently have a qualifying time under your belt – or if you’re worried that your current BQ won’t hold up – you’ve got just over three months to run a race. If you sign up and start planning now, that’s just enough time to shape up over the course of twelve weeks – and lay down new qualifying time.

I’m on the fence myself – having come up short in my own race this year. So I’ve been looking at last chance qualifiers – and here’s a list of 11 races that you can still sign up for that would give you a shot at qualifying for Boston:

Some of these races are larger (Santa Rosa, Erie), while others are smaller. Some happen to be fast, and attract a large BQ eligible population. While others (BQ.2 Chicagoland / Grand Rapids) are specifically geared for runners who are looking to qualify.

You’ve got options in the Northeast, the Midwest, and the West Coast – along with one race up in Canada. If you’re into downhill races, there are a few options for that, as well. But if that’s not your thing, there are a couple fast, flat races.

If you want a larger, flat race, I’d recommend Erie. I’ve run it before. It was well run, and it’s a fun time.

If you want something geared heavily towards Boston qualifiers, check out the two BQ.2 races in Chicagoland and Grand Rapids. They are very successful at getting people across the finish line.

And if you don’t mind using gravity, check out Marquette, Cascade Express, or Runtastic NEBO. Marquette and Cascade Express are more moderately downhill – while Runtastic NEBO has one of the biggest net drops among certified races.

Is Your Boston Qualifying Time Good Enough?

Since I’ve been writing about the Boston cutoff, one of the most common questions I hear is: will my time get me in?

While it’s fun (for me) to dig through the stats, runners are usually looking for a simple up or down answer. Will their current time get them in – or should they be targeting something faster?

The current projection is 5:46, and that includes some room for possible variation. The most likely outcome will be between 5:30 and 6:30, with possible outcomes as low as 5:00 or as high as 7:00.

With that in mind, here’s some simple advice:

If your current buffer is below 5:00, you will most likely not make it into Boston. There’s a very slim chance that a 4:00 to 5:00 buffer will work, but unless you’re comfortable with the idea of missing out you shouldn’t count on that. Target something faster.

If your current buffer is between 5:00 and 7:00, you have a decent chance of making it. I would look at anything below 6:00 as a coin flip – you could make it, or you couldn’t. Above 6:00, your odds are better, but there’s still a realistic chance you’ll miss out. You wouldn’t be crazy to just let it ride, but if you have your heart set on running Boston in 2026 – I’d try again to improve your odds.

If your current buffer is above 7:00, you’re most likely safe. Anything above 8:00 is almost definitely safe, and there’s a very slim chance that it’ll be just above 7:00. But if I had a buffer of 7:00+, I’d be pretty confident.

So with that in mind, if you’re looking for a last chance option – check out the races below.

The Santa Rosa Marathon (8/24/25)

The Santa Rosa Marathon is the largest race on this list. Last year, there were about 1,200 finishers – and over 20% of them qualified for Boston.

The course is relatively flat. It starts and ends downtown, and there’s a long segment on the Santa Rosa Creek Trail in and out of downtown. That’s downhill going out – and uphill going back. But other than that gradual incline over the last miles, you won’t have any hills to worry about. The middle of the course is one giant loop.

The race is in northern California, so the temperature is relatively mild and stable for late August. It’ll be on the warm side, but likely manageable if you’ve been training through the summer. Start temperatures are usually in the 50’s, rising to the 60’s by the finish. It’ll get warmer later in the day, but with a 6:30 start time, you shouldn’t have to suffer much.

If you’re into wine, it’s a cool jaunt through California wine country. That can also help justify the travel if you’re coming from farther away. Speaking of travel, you’ll likely fly into San Francisco, Sacramento, or Oakland. They’re all between a one and two hour drive away. There’s also a smaller airport nearby in Sonoma County, and Amtrak also goes through the area.

This race isn’t aimed entirely at Boston aspirants – but it’s a convenient and effective choice. Note that there is also a half marathon – which starts later. But the courses overlap, and you’ll run by them and share the course over the final segment.

You can read more about the race and sign up for Santa Rosa here.

Erie Marathon on Presque Isle (9/7/25)

Next up is the Erie Marathon on Presque Isle. Last year, about 1,000 people ran the race – and just under 40% qualified for Boston.

This race is a no frills operation put on by the local running club. It’s capped at 2,000 participants, but in recent years it hasn’t gotten that big. The event takes place entirely within the confines of Presque Isle State Park on the edge of Lake Erie.

The course is two loops. It heads northeast along the coast of Lake Erie before turning around and coming back. The road is tree-lined for much of the course, but you’ll catch glimpses of the lake here and there. It’s pancake flat, with nothing but minor elevation changes. Much of the race is shady, but there is a segment at the north end of the loop that’s exposed to the sun.

The race starts at 7AM. You’ll have to arrive early to park outside the park and walk in. It’s a little over a half mile from the parking area to the start.

The aid stations are manned by local volunteers, and they’re a boost of energy. Despite being off the beaten path, there are a decent amount of spectators scattered throughout the park. And the start area – which you pass through at the halfway point – will be packed with fans.

The weather is a bit unpredictable. It could be beautiful, with a nice breeze coming off the lake. But there’s the possibility of an early fall heat wave driving temps and humidity up.

There is a small regional airport nearby (Erie International), and a few larger ones within a 2-3 hour drive. It’s also just about within driving distance of Chicago and New York City – so from the Midwest to the Northeast, this is a viable road trip.

I drove up from NJ and ran this race in 2023. Erie itself has the feel of a quiet shore town, and it was a relaxing place to be on Saturday. I liked the two loops, because it breaks the race down into manageable chunks. It also made it easy for my wife to see me at multiple points throughout the race.

But we did catch a heat wave leading up to the race. It was in the 60’s and quite humid. I managed to BQ – but not by enough to beat the cutoff that year.

You can read more about the race and sign up for Erie here.

Cascade Express Marathon (9/6/25)

Next up is the Cascade Express Marathon in Snoqualmie, WA.

It’s a smaller race – and the rest of these will be small. There were just over 500 participants last year, and a little over 25% qualified. At time of writing, their website says there are 39 spots left.

The big advantage here is that this is a net downhill race. It’s not crazy downhill, like REVEL Mt. Charleston. But it has a net drop of 11.4m/km – about 1,500 total feet of decline.

The course is flat for the first ten miles, and you’ll go through a 2.4 mile tunnel in this portion. After you emerge, it’s straight downhill to the finish. It’s a gravel trail, point to point, with plenty of scenery.

The weather is typically in the 50’s and increasing to the 60’s over the course of the race – but those temps usually come along with moderate humidity. So it’s pretty nice running weather for late summer.

Similar to Erie, the parking lot is about a ten minute walk from the start. Note that this is a point to point course, so once you finish they do run busses back to the starting area to pick up your car.

The course is about a 40 minute drive east of Seattle. So it’s close enough to civilization that you won’t have a hard time getting there or finding lodging in the area.

Note that you are advised to bring a headlamp for the portion of the race that goes through the tunnel. Hope you’re not afraid of the dark.

You can read more and snag one of the last spots at the Cascade Express Marathon here.

Marquette Marathon (8/30/25)

Your next option is the Marquette Marathon in northern Michigan. The race starts in Ishpeming in the upper peninsula.

Last year, about 400 runners finished the Marquette Marathon and 14% of them qualified for Boston.

Marquette is moderately downhill, but more gentle than Cascade Express. It has a net drop of just over 5m/km – about 800 total feet.

From the start, you head east towards Marquette and Lake Superior. The first ten miles is pretty flat, followed by a steep decline from 10-16, and then it flattens out again. The last ten miles are along the coast of the river.

The weather usually starts in the 50’s and rises to the 60’s. But like Erie, you’re prone to catch the occasional Midwestern heat wave that could make that worse.

This is a point to point course, so it involves bussing. In this case you park near the finish at Superior Dome and take a bus up to the start. So you can stay at a hotel in Marquette near the University, but expect to be up for a bus that leaves between 5:45 and 6:15.

There are a few pacers available at the event. But there’s a big gap from 3:00 to 3:30 with no pacer. That may be helpful for masters runners, but less helpful for younger runners.

That being said, it is a younger race. Last year, 38% of finishers were men under 35 and 24% were women under 35. So if you’re in that age group, you won’t be alone.

You can read more about the race and sign up for the Marquette Marathon here.

Holland Haven Marathon (9/7/25)

Another option – but one that won’t be around long – is the Holland Haven Marathon in Holland, MI.

Last year, the race had 360 finishers – of which 46 qualified. The website says there are only five spots left for 2025.

This is another point to point course, beginning in Grand Haven, following the Lake south, and turning east into Holland towards the end. It’s a pretty pancake flat course. Although you run along the Lake, trees line the road for most of the way.

The Holland Haven Marathon runs busses from the finish area back to the start. So you’ll have to be there at 6AM to catch a bus for the 7:30 start.

This is another Midwest race, with chances of decent weather in early September. Grand Rapids is your closest airport, but if you’re thinking about this race you’re likely close by.

You can read more about the race and sign up for the Holland Haven Marathon here.

Georgina Marathon (9/7/2025)

Another option – this one on the Canadian side of the border – is the Georgina Marathon in Ontario.

Last year, 336 runners finished this race – and over 40% of them met their qualifying times.

The course is out and back along the coast of Lake Simcoe. It’s pancake flat. There’s a half marathon that starts at the same time, so the crowd will feel a little larger for the first half. But the marathon course takes a second loop of the same out and back to finish.

Note that there are a limited number of parking passes available to park onsite. Otherwise, you’ll need to park in an overflow lot nearby and get shuttled to the start.

This race is a little further north than the others – on the other side of the Great Lakes. So you’re more likely to have mild weather and less likely to have a heat wave come through and dash your hopes. It’s only an hour north of the Toronto Airport, so it’s not a bad race to travel to.

You can read more about the race and sign up for the Georgina Marathon here.

Beantown Marathon (9/7/2025)

Back in the states, the Beantown Marathon in Massachusetts is another option.

Beantown is a small race – with only 275 finishers last year. But over 35% of them qualified, and the race is set up geared very heavily towards potential qualifiers.

The course is in Bare Cove Park, about 40 minutes outside of Boston. The course is six loops through the park, which could be a good thing or a bad thing. If you’re not feeling well, you might be tempted to bail … but if you’re having a great day, you’ll pass by your adoring fans multiple times throughout the race.

Because this is such a small race, they also offer “elite” bottle stations. You can bring your own hydration mix and leave it at the water stop. This is a great option if you’ve got a picky stomach and you’ve suffered digestive issues in the past.

The course is flat. It’s also easy to get to – not far from downtown Boston. You can stay closer in Quincy, but you’ll have a short drive on race morning.

I’m still on the fence about attempting a last minute qualifier, and I’ll make a decision at the end of this month after I’ve done some shorter races. But if I do – I’m leaning towards Beantown this year.

You can read more about the race and sign up for the Beantown Marathon here.

Sackets Harbor Marathon (9/7/2025)

Another option is the Sackets Harbor Marathon in upstate New York.

This is another small race, with about 250 participants. It also has a half marathon that starts at the same time. About 12% of the finishers qualified for Boston.

The course is an out and back – starting and finishing near Lake Ontario. Over the first half of the race, you will gently climb about 200 feet. But what goes up must come down – which means you’ll enjoy a gentle decline for the second half of the race.

Start conservative and finish strong.

This is a relatively new race, launched in 2023 by some local runners. So far, so good. Maybe it’ll grow larger over time.

This one is off the beaten path. There is a small regional airport nearby, but you’re probably taking a road trip from New York or New England if you’re targeting this race.

You can read more about the race and sign up for the Sacketts Harbor Marathon here.

Image by Cory Maylett on Wikimedia Commons – CC BY SA 3.0

Runtastic NEBO Marathon (9/6/25)

The next race – Mt. Nebo Marathon, or Runtastic NEBO – is another downhill option.

The race is in Utah, and it has a staggering 32.94m/km of net drop – a total of 4,561 feet. It has one of the largest drops of any certified marathon – with only a handful of REVEL races featuring more elevation loss.

The course starts on Mount Nebo and gradually drops as it winds down for the first ten miles. But the remainder of the race is a steep drop as you charge towards the finish in Payson.

Be warned – you need to be at the bus loading area no later than 4:15 to catch your shuttle to the start. So … it’s an early morning start. The race itself starts at 6AM.

It will get hot later in the day. But with the early start, you should have decent weather for the race itself. It’s usually in the 50’s or 60’s with decent humidity.

People have strong feelings about downhill races, and this might not be the choice for you. But if you want to pull out all the stops to qualify – Mt. Nebo may be your last chance to do so. Resist the temptation to go too fast, and you can ride that huge net drop to a finish time that’s 5 to 10 minutes faster than you’d otherwise achieve on a flat course.

You can read more about the race and sign up for Runtastic NEBO here.

Last Chance BQ.2 – Chicagoland (9/6/25)

We’re getting into the smaller races now. Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland had just 212 finishers last year – but a whopping 150 of them qualified.

Moreso than any other race – except maybe Beantown – this is explicitly targeted to aspiring qualifiers. They implement qualifying times prior to June 1, to make sure you’re close to your BQ, and the course closes at 4:30.

The field does lean male (about 2-1), and the largest group (~26%) is men 35-49. So expect a lot of people aiming for that 3:00-3:15 range.

The course is eight loops, and you’ll run back and forth over the Fox River. Like Beantown, you can set up your own hydration at the elite bottle stations. And you’ll pass by the spectators throughout the morning for plenty of encouragement.

The course is about 45 minutes west of O’Hare airport, so it’s very convenient if you’re traveling in. It’s a bit of a hike if you’re already in downtown Chicago. But there are plenty of hotels in the area to get you close to the start line.

They also have a robust pacing option. They target three minutes under BQ (should someone tell them that the cutoff is likely more than that?), and they’ll have a pacer for any group that has more than five participants. So in most cases, you can count on a pace group being there to help you score a BQ – with a few minutes to spare.

This is a great option logistically – and you’re going to set yourself up for success here. Well, as long as the weather is decent, but that’s outside your control.

You can read more about the race and sign up for the Last Chance BQ.2 Chicagoland Marathon here.

Last Chance BQ.2 – Grand Rapids (9/7/25)

On the other side of the lake, you have a similar option – Last Chance BQ.2 Grand Rapids.

It’s slightly smaller – 181 finishers last year – but equally effective. Over 70% of them qualified.

The set up is similar to the BQ.2 in Chicagoland. There are qualifying times, but they’re waved after June 15. There is a 4:30 time limit. You can set up your own hydration at one of the bottle stations.

The race is in Millennium Park just outside of downtown Grand Rapids. It’s a 4 mile loop, and you’ll cover that six times to finish the race.

Unlike Chicagoland, there are no pace teams. They advise you to find other people – who are easily identifiable by their bib numbers – in your age group.

This is another solid option to get you across the finish line – surrounded by other runners who share a similar goal.

You can read more about the race and sign up for the Last Chance BQ.2 Grand Rapids here.

Honorable Mention

Green River Marathon would have been on this list. About 18% of its 323 finishers last year qualified for Boston. But this year’s race is already sold out – so if you’re not already in, it’s too late to join this race in Vermont.

I’ll also include a link to the Jack & Jill Marathon in the Poconos. This race was originally scheduled for 9/13 – outside of the likely qualifying window. They’ve since added an additional date on Friday morning (9/12), which would be in the qualifying window.

I haven’t heard great things about this race in terms of organization and logistics. But it is a gently downhill course (800 ft, 3.89m/km), and it is reasonably close to the Philly and NYC areas. So if you don’t want to travel upstate or to the Midwest, this is the most convenient option.

Are You Going to Try Again for a Faster Buffer?

So what’s your plan – are you going to sign up for one of these races and try again for a faster buffer?

I’m personally on the fence about what to do. My spring race didn’t turn out the way I had hoped, and I’m already committed to Twin Cities in October. So I’m not sure that I want to do another race in September.

But I’m considering Beantown (it’s close, and I could drive) or Marquette (which would leave an extra week before Twin Cities).

I’ve done Erie before, and I can recommend that from personal experience. The race is well run, you’ll have a good time, and you’ll be among other fast runners.

But the BQ.2 races do sound like a really special experience – with a small group of highly committed runners looking to BQ.

Whichever option you choose – good luck!

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