Best U.S. Marathons That Aren’t Boston, Chicago Or New York?

With three of the Abbott World Marathon Majors taking place in the U.S., the races in Boston, Chicago and New York City get global attention from runners.

But it can be difficult to get into the Majors and there are so many more road and city marathons in the U.S. to consider. So what are the best marathons in the U.S. that aren’t Boston, Chicago or New York?

HOUSTON MARATHON
When: 19 Jan 2025

There’s one overpass at halfway, and a few rolling hills in the final couple of miles, but otherwise the Houston Marathon is flat and fast, it’s well organised (including lots of toilets and the gear check is all inside the convention centre, which is excellent), great crowd support, and the weather is usually great. It’s ideal for those who want to train through the end of the year and race early. The half marathon takes place on the same day and a lot of runners go there to try and set fast times. 

WALT DISNEY WORLD MARATHON 
When: 12 Jan 2025

Maybe not a race for everyone, but it’s certainly one of the most uniquely American marathons! The run begins and ends at Epcot, passes through Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, though is mostly run on the roads between the parks. A lot of people run in costume and there are character sightings all around the course. Almost 40,000 runners take part over the weekend, with races from 5km to the marathon. Just note that the marathon starts at 4.30am. You can also sign up for the Dopey Challenge which involves running a 5km on Thursday, 10km on Friday, half marathon on Saturday and marathon on Sunday (though it costs almost $700!).

LOS ANGELES MARATHON
When: 16 March 2025

One of the biggest west coast city marathons with over 25,000 finishers, the race starts at Dodger Stadium, goes through Hollywood, Sunset Strip, Chinatown, Beverly Hills, and finishes on Santa Monica Boulevard in Century City. The course isn’t flat, and now has a more challenging uphill finish (it used to end by the sea in Santa Monica), but it’s still a fun waltz through the diverse cultures and sights of LA, with a lot of crowd support. You can also sign up for the Double Play and run the 5km on Saturday and marathon on the Sunday and get an extra medal. 

EUGENE MARATHON
When: 27 April 2025

Eugene is a big running town, and its marathon is one of the most popular in the Pacific Northwest. It’s well known for being well organised with great crowds and a great course that runs alongside the Willamette River and has an unforgettable finish on the famous Hayward Field track, home to many legendary running performances. There’s a 5km on the Saturday and also a half marathon on the Sunday. 

BIG SUR INTERNATIONAL MARATHON
When: 27 April 2025

You run Big Sur for the scenery and the experience, not for a fast time (it’s described as ‘brutiful’ for its hills!). A stunning route along Highway 1 from Big Sur Station to Carmel, you run alongside the California coast, with views over the Pacific the whole time, crossing the spectacular Bixby Bridge around halfway. It’s a bucket list race for many. 

FLYING PIG MARATHON 
When: 4 May 2025

With a start and finish in downtown Cincinnati, the Flying Pig Marathon is highly regarded as a fun and beginner-friendly big city marathon which sees the city come out in support of runners. The first half of the course has some rolling hills, while the second half is mostly flat. The return to Cincinnati takes you right alongside the Ohio River to a loud ‘finish swine’. There’s a 5km and a 10km on the Saturday and a half and marathon on the Sunday, and the race weekend sees around 30,000 participants. 

GRANDMA’S MARATHON
When: 21 June 2025

This point to point rolling course runs parallel to Lake Superior for much of the race, ending in Duluth, MN, where the spectators come out and line the streets. It consistently sells out quickly because it’s a favourite for many in the Midwest, so sign up early and pre-book a hotel if you need one (also plan ahead with logistics if you’re flying in, as Minneapolis is the nearest major airport, and is a two hour drive away). The race weekend features a 5km and half marathon.

SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON 
When: 27 July 2025

The San Francisco Marathon has some iconic views and is a great race experience which begins and ends on the Embarcadero, does an out and back over the Golden Gate Bridge, passes through Golden Gate Park, then cuts through Haight and the Mission, around the Giants’ baseball stadium, and on to the finish. The middle 11 miles are hilly, but the rest is pretty flat. One cool thing about the SF Marathon is that you can also choose to run either the first half or the second half as separate races. 

TWIN CITIES MARATHON
When: 5 Oct 2025

Running from Minneapolis to Saint Paul, this race is celebrated for its enjoyable scenery including numerous lakes and then running alongside and over the Mississippi, all during the fall as the leaves are changing colour, plus there’s brilliant crowd support all the way. From mile 20 to 23 is a steady hill leading into Saint Paul, but the final three miles are thankfully all downhill and it’s a course where a lot of runners get their Boston Marathon qualifying time. There are 5km, 10km, 10 mile and half marathon races over the same weekend. It’s a great alternative to the Chicago Marathon.

MARINE CORPS MARATHON
When: 27 Oct 2024

Arranged by the Marines, this race is consistently celebrated as one of best organised US marathons, and one of the best runs for first timers and experienced runners alike. The route is a grand tour of Washington DC and Arlington landmarks: The Lincoln Memorial, The Mall, Jefferson Memorial, and it finishes outside the Pentagon. There’s a 10km and 50km race on the same day. 

INDIANAPOLIS MONUMENTAL MARATHON
When: 9 Nov 2024

The Indy Marathon attracts many runners looking for an end of year race in the Midwest where there’s plenty of PR potential on the flat course which takes you from near Indiana State House, and then on a big lap of the city before returning downtown to a lively finish line. There’s also a half marathon and 5km over the race weekend. It’s a great option for those training alongside friends running the New York Marathon, or looking for a Boston Marathon qualifying time.

PHILADELPHIA MARATHON
When: 24 Nov 2024 (sold out for 2024; 2025 dates TBC)

With an 8km, half marathon and marathon over the race weekend, 30,000 runners head to Philly for this popular autumn marathon which is really well organised and has very enthusiastic crowd support around the course. It’s got some rolling hilly miles in the middle, but it’s certainly possible to run a great time at the Philadelphia Marathon as it’s one of the top races where people achieve a Boston Marathon qualifying time.

CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL MARATHON
When: 8 Dec 2024 (sold out for 2024; 2025 dates TBC)

CIM is a popular race for people looking for one last shot at getting a Boston Qualifier or a PB for the year. It’s a rolling net-downhill course starting in Folsom Dam and with a fast finish into Sacramento, and it’s responsible for a lot of people getting their BQ, though it’s still a tough course with plenty of uphills (but that makes it ideal practice for anyone hoping to get to Boston). 

HONOLULU MARATHON 
When: 8 Dec 2024

One of the largest marathons in the US, Honolulu is a destination race with a vibrant atmosphere, a lot of runners in fancy dress, fireworks at the start (even though it begins at 5am!), views of the mountains and the ocean, no cut off time for slower runners, and a decent course profile (apart from hills at miles seven and 24!) for those looking to run fast. 

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Do you have a favourite US marathon outside of the Marathon Majors?