Best Boston qualifiers in Tennessee

The marathons in Tennessee 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
    Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, Half Marathon, Relays, 5k and Kids Run
    Knoxville
    2,169 finishers over 3 yearsNext: Apr 10, 2027
    3.9%
    ran a BQ
  2. 2
    Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon
    Knoxville
    2,165 finishers over 3 yearsNext: Apr 10, 2027
    3.7%
    ran a BQ
  3. 3
    7 Bridges Marathon
    Chattanooga
    1,049 finishers over 1 yearLast run Oct 25, 2026
    2.2%
    ran a BQ
  4. 4
    Rock n Roll Nashville
    Nashville
    8,650 finishers over 3 yearsLast run Apr 25, 2026
    1.4%
    ran a BQ
  5. 5
    Mountain Man Memorial March
    Gatlinburg
    424 finishers over 3 yearsNext: Apr 10, 2027
    0%
    ran a BQ
  6. 6
    Mountain Man Memorial March
    Gatlinburg
    302 finishers over 3 yearsLast run Apr 10, 2026
    0%
    ran a BQ

Boston qualifiers by state

Common questions

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

By share of finishers who ran a qualifying time, Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, Half Marathon, Relays, 5k and Kids Run in Knoxville: 3.9% of its finishers over the last 3 years ran under the 2027 Boston standard for their age and gender. Next is Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon at 3.7%.

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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