BQ

    COMBO FILTER

    Best Fall Marathons in the Midwest for a BQ

    63 Boston-qualifying marathons · Midwest · Fall

    These 63 fall marathons across the Midwest are certified Boston qualifiers. Compare course profiles, timing, location, and verified historical metrics when available.

    Planning context

    How to evaluate fall qualifiers in the Midwest

    This collection combines geography and season so you can judge races that share similar travel and calendar constraints. It is especially helpful when you are choosing between a local build and a destination qualifier. Use it to find races that fit the same training window, then compare terrain, timing, and verified historical metrics when available before committing.

    For Boston qualifying, this page should be a short-list tool rather than the final answer. A race with a strong course profile may still be the wrong fit if it falls too soon after your peak training block, requires difficult travel, or uses terrain you have not practiced. A quieter race can be a better choice when the logistics are simple and the course matches your strengths.

    Before you register

    Seasonal conditions can vary inside a region. Check historical weather, expected start temperature, and travel timing before treating two races as interchangeable.

    Open each finalist, check the official race link, and compare the target pace against your Boston standard. If the decision is close, use BMQR's comparison tool so course profile, date, location, and verified historical metrics when available are visible in one place.

    Compare finalist racesCheck your qualifying standard

    Kansas City Marathon

    Kansas City, MO
    October 17, 2026
    Medium (500 - 1,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Hilly

    Brookings Marathon

    Brookings, SD
    October 17, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Mankato Marathon

    Mankato, MN
    October 17, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Detroit Free Press Marathon

    Detroit, MI
    October 18, 2026
    Large (2,000 - 9,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Des Moines Marathon

    Des Moines, IA
    October 18, 2026
    Medium (500 - 1,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Columbus Marathon

    Columbus, OH
    October 18, 2026
    Large (2,000 - 9,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Grand Rapids Marathon

    Grand Rapids, MI
    October 18, 2026
    Medium (500 - 1,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    McKirdy Micro Marathon (Fall)

    Walker, MI
    October 18, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Haunted Forest Marathon

    Canal Fulton, OH
    October 25, 2026
    Mostly Flat

    Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon

    Springfield, MO
    November 1, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

    Indianapolis, IN
    November 7, 2026
    Large (2,000 - 9,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Veterans Marathon

    Columbia City, IN
    November 7, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Springfield Marathon

    Springfield, IL
    November 7, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Salina Crossroads Marathon

    Salina, KS
    November 7, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Thumb Coast Marathon

    Port Austin, MI
    November 8, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Madison Marathon

    Madison, WI
    November 14, 2026
    Medium (500 - 1,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Tunnel Hill Marathon

    Vienna, IL
    November 14, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Honoring Our Heroes Marathon

    Rolla, MO
    November 21, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Hilly

    Gobbler Grind Marathon

    Overland Park, KS
    November 22, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Wabash Trace Nature Trail Marathon

    Shenandoah, IA
    September 13, 2025
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Marquette Marathon

    Marquette, MI
    September 5, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Warm to hot (65–80°F), humidity varies
    Downhill

    Cadillac Festival of Races Marathon

    Cadillac, MI
    September 5, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Nebraska Marathon

    Papillion, NE
    September 5, 2026
    55–75°F
    Rolling Hills

    Minocqua No Frills Marathon

    Minocqua, WI
    September 6, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon

    Geneva, IL
    September 6, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Very Flat

    Heart of America Marathon

    Columbia, MO
    September 7, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Hilly

    Elroy Apple Dumpling Day Marathon

    Elroy, WI
    September 12, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    DoLittle Marathon

    Waukesha, WI
    September 12, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Sunbury Marathon

    Sunbury, OH
    September 12, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Very Flat

    Last Chance BQ.2 (Grand Rapids) Marathon

    Grand Rapids, MI
    September 13, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Holland Haven Marathon

    Holland, MI
    September 13, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Sundance to Spearfish Marathon

    Spearfish, SD
    September 13, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Downhill

    United States Air Force Marathon

    Dayton, OH
    September 19, 2026
    Medium (500 - 1,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Ely Marathon

    Ely, MN
    September 19, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Adrenaline Races Marathon

    West Bend, WI
    September 20, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Bismarck Marathon

    Bismarck, ND
    September 20, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Fox Cities Marathon

    Appleton, WI
    September 20, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Fox Valley Marathon

    St. Charles, IL
    September 20, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Sioux Falls Marathon

    Sioux Falls, SD
    September 20, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Back Your Badge Marathon

    Plainfield, IN
    September 20, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Garmin Toledo Marathon

    Toledo, OH
    September 20, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Akron Marathon

    Akron, OH
    September 26, 2026
    Medium (500 - 1,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Jailbreak Marathon

    Wautoma, WI
    September 26, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Monument Marathon

    Gering, NE
    September 26, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Downhill

    Mill Race Marathon

    Columbus, IN
    September 26, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Belleville Main Street Marathon

    Belleville, IL
    September 26, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    St. Joseph Missouri Marathon

    St. Joseph, MO
    September 26, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Quad Cities Marathon

    Moline, IL
    September 27, 2026
    Medium (500 - 1,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Ann Arbor Marathon

    Ann Arbor, MI
    September 27, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Heartland Marathon

    Omaha, NE
    September 27, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Omaha Marathon

    Omaha, NE
    September 27, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Towpath Marathon

    Cleveland, OH
    October 3, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Sleeping Bear Marathon

    Empire, MI
    October 3, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Twin Cities Marathon

    St. Paul, MN
    October 4, 2026
    Large (2,000 - 9,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Lakefront Marathon

    Milwaukee, WI
    October 4, 2026
    Medium (500 - 1,999)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Run Crazy Horse Marathon

    Hill City, SD
    October 4, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Very Hilly

    MO Cowbell Marathon

    St. Charles, MO
    October 4, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Whistlestop Marathon

    Ashland, WI
    October 10, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Downhill

    Des Plaines River Trail Marathon

    Lincolnshire, IL
    October 10, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon

    Bemidji, MN
    October 10, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Rolling Hills

    Gandy Dancer Marathon

    Luck, WI
    October 10, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

    Chicago Marathon

    Chicago, IL
    October 11, 2026
    XL(>25,000)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Very Flat

    Prairie Fire Marathon

    Wichita, KS
    October 11, 2026
    Small (<500)
    Cool (40–60°F), ideal racing conditions
    Mostly Flat

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