MARATHON FINDER & RACE CALENDARS
Find a Marathon That Fits Your Goal, Calendar and Travel Plans
Search upcoming marathons by year, month, country and course type. Start with the finder for a quick shortlist, or open a country calendar if you already know where you want to race.
The best race is not always the biggest one. A good choice should fit the time you have to train, the weather you run well in, your travel budget and what you want from race day.
Interactive race finder
Find your next marathon
Filter upcoming races by year, month, country, course and Boston-qualifier status. The next races are shown immediately, so you can also browse without using a filter.
A 42.2K road race in Chicoutimi/Saguenay with half marathon and 5K options.
Before you register: Use RunningGearLab to make your shortlist, then confirm the date, course, entry rules, registration status and current Boston-qualifier details on the official race website before booking travel.
Browse Marathon Calendars
If you already know the country or region, these pages go deeper than the main finder. Use them when you want a longer list and filters designed for that location.
Canada Marathon Calendar
Canadian races by province, region, month and course type.
USA Marathon Calendar
U.S. races by state, region, month and race goal.
Europe Marathon Calendar
Compare published races across multiple European countries.
Italy Marathon Calendar
Search Italian marathons by year, month, location and course style.
Japan Marathon Calendar
Browse Japanese marathons by prefecture, month and course profile.
Choose by Race Goal or Plan the Trip
Use the calendars to build a longlist. These guides help narrow it by speed, Boston-qualifier potential or race-weekend logistics.
Fastest Marathons in Europe
Compare European courses that may suit a PB or BQ attempt.
Fastest Marathons in the USA
Compare fast U.S. races for a personal best or Boston qualifier.
Boston Qualifier Marathons
Shortlist races that may suit a Boston-qualifying attempt.
Boston Marathon Trip Guide
Compare areas, hotels, transportation and spectator logistics for Boston.
What Kind of Marathon Are You Looking For?
Your First Marathon
Keep logistics manageable. Easy travel, clear race-day instructions, sensible time limits and good course support can matter more than choosing the most famous race.
A Faster Time
Start with course profile, then check weather, turns, crowding, start corrals and field depth. Compare the fastest U.S. marathons, fast European marathons or the wider BQ race list.
A Destination Race
Look at hotel location, start-line transport, food, arrival timing and how much walking the trip adds. Explore the Italy and Japan calendars, or use the Boston trip guide if that race is already on your calendar.
Found a Race? Work Backward From the Date
Once the race is on your calendar, turn it into a training, pacing and fueling plan. Test race-day choices during training rather than making major changes in the final week.
Build a training plan · Calculate race pace · Build a fueling plan · Compare marathon shoes
Travelling for a Marathon?
A destination marathon can be a great trip, but the easiest hotel or sightseeing plan is not always the best race plan. Before booking, check how you will get to the start, whether the finish is in the same area, how early you need to arrive and how much time you want on your feet before race morning.
Compare races in the Europe Marathon Calendar, then use the deeper Italy or Japan calendar when one country stands out. Running Boston? The Boston Marathon trip guide covers where to stay and how the weekend works.
After You Choose Your Marathon
What to Check Before You Register
- The confirmed race date and registration window
- Course profile, surface and time limit
- Start corrals, pace groups and approximate field size
- Typical weather for that city and time of year
- Hotel location and transportation to the start
- Refund, transfer and deferral rules
Boston qualifier note: Treat the BQ label in the finder as a shortlist signal, not a guarantee. Confirm the current course certification and Boston qualifying rules with the race organizer and the B.A.A. before registering specifically for a qualifying attempt.
Marathon Finder FAQ
How do I find the right marathon for me?
Start with the month you can race, how far you want to travel and what you want from the event. Then compare course profile, likely weather, logistics and entry requirements. A smaller local race can be a better first marathon than a complicated destination event.
When should I register for a marathon?
Popular city races, lotteries and destination marathons can require planning many months ahead. Smaller regional races may stay open much longer. If flights or hotels are involved, check registration and accommodation early rather than assuming places will remain available.
How do I find a Boston-qualifying marathon?
Use the BQ filter as a shortlist, then verify the race’s current certification and the B.A.A. rules that apply to your qualifying window. Course profile matters, but weather, crowding and pacing can matter just as much. The Boston Qualifier Marathon Finder provides a more focused list.
What should I check for a destination marathon?
Check where the start and finish are, how you will get there, hotel availability, food options and how many days you want to arrive before the race. Try not to turn the day before your marathon into a full day of sightseeing on your feet.
Which country and regional calendars are available?
You can browse dedicated calendars for Canada, the United States, Europe, Italy and Japan. The main finder is better when you want to compare several regions at once.
How current are the race dates?
The finder uses the races currently published in the RunningGearLab race database. Dates and registration details can change, so always use the official race website as the final source before you register or book travel.