Best Boston qualifiers in Maryland

The marathons in Maryland where the largest share of finishers ran a Boston-qualifying time for their age and gender, using the 2027 standards and each race's last three years of results.
  1. 1
    NCR Marathon & Half Marathon
    Sparks Glencoe
    821 finishers over 3 yearsNext: Nov 28, 2026
    14.1%
    ran a BQ
  2. 2
    RunSBY Events (Salisbury Marathon/Salisbury Half Marathon/5k)
    Salisbury
    799 finishers over 3 yearsNext: Apr 3, 2027
    9.1%
    ran a BQ
  3. 3
    Historic Drawbridge Running Festival
    St Michaels
    228 finishers over 2 yearsNext: Oct 31, 2026
    8.3%
    ran a BQ
  4. 4
    Lock 2 Lock Marathon/Half Marathon/10k
    Williamsport
    356 finishers over 3 yearsNext: Sep 11, 2027
    7.9%
    ran a BQ
  5. 5
    Ocean City Running Festival
    Ocean City
    912 finishers over 3 yearsNext: Nov 14, 2026
    6.1%
    ran a BQ
  6. 6
    Baltimore Running Festival
    Baltimore
    5,056 finishers over 3 yearsLast run Oct 18, 2025
    4.8%
    ran a BQ

Boston qualifiers by state

Common questions

What is the best marathon to qualify for Boston in Maryland?

By share of finishers who ran a qualifying time, NCR Marathon & Half Marathon in Sparks Glencoe: 14.1% of its finishers over the last 3 years ran under the 2027 Boston standard for their age and gender. Next is RunSBY Events (Salisbury Marathon/Salisbury Half Marathon/5k) at 9.1%.

How is this list worked out?

For each marathon we take its last three years of results and count the finishers whose time beats the 2027 Boston standard for their age and gender on race day. Races need 200 counted finishers. A high share means a fast course, good weather, a field of runners chasing a qualifier, or all three.

Does every race on this list count for Boston?

Boston accepts times from courses certified by USATF, AIMS or a national governing body. From 2027, courses with a net drop of 1,500 ft or more have 5 or 10 minutes added to your time, and drops of 6,000 ft don't count. Check a race's certification and elevation before you enter.

Is a qualifying time enough to get into Boston?

No: it lets you apply, and the fastest qualifiers relative to their standard get in. Accepted runners needed to be 5:17 under their standard for 2027, and 4:34 to 6:51 in the years before.

Boston 2027 qualifying times by age, and how far under you need to be →

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