Boston Qualifier Directory

COMBO FILTER

Best Spring Marathons in the Midwest for a BQ

40 Boston-qualifying marathons · Midwest · Spring

These 40 spring marathons across the Midwest are certified Boston qualifiers. Compare course profiles, timing, location, and verified historical metrics when available.

Planning context

How to evaluate spring 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 races Check your qualifying standard

Illinois Marathon

Champaign-Urbana, IL

Featured Listing

April 24, 2027

Medium (500 - 1,999)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Des Moines St. Paddys Marathon

Des Moines, IA

March 13, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Rend Lake Marathon

Whittington, IL

March 27, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

St. Louis Marathon

St. Louis, MO

April 3, 2027

Medium (500 - 1,999)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Victory Marathon

Hillsdale, IN

April 3, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Trailbreaker Marathon

Waukesha, WI

April 4, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Ohio River Road Runners Club Marathon

Xenia, OH

April 4, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Milwaukee Marathon

Milwaukee, WI

April 10, 2027

Medium (500 - 1,999)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Spring Chance BQ.2 Marathon

Geneva, IL

April 11, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Very Flat

Athens Marathon

Athens, OH

April 11, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

London OH Marathon

London, OH

April 17, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Carmel Marathon

Carmel, IN

April 17, 2027

Medium (500 - 1,999)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Brew City Marathon

Milwaukee, WI

April 17, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Garmin Olathe Marathon

Olathe, KS

April 24, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Frisco Marathon

Willard, MO

April 24, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Non Cancelled Marathon

Oconomowoc, WI

April 24, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Wisconsin Marathon

Kenosha, WI

April 24, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Glass City Marathon

Toledo, OH

April 25, 2027

Mostly Flat

Kalamazoo Marathon

Kalamazoo, MI

April 25, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Fort Wayne Marathon

Fort Wayne, IN

April 25, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

IronHorse Marathon

Riceville, IA

May 1, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Flying Pig Marathon

Cincinnati, OH

May 2, 2027

Large (2,000 - 9,999)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Hilly

Eau Claire Marathon

Eau Claire, WI

May 2, 2027

Medium (500 - 1,999)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Lincoln Marathon

Lincoln, NE

May 2, 2027

Medium (500 - 1,999)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Chicagoland Spring Marathon

Schaumburg, IL

May 2, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon

St. Joseph, MN

May 8, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Starved Rock Country Marathon

Ottawa, IL

May 8, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Cleveland Marathon

Cleveland, OH

May 16, 2027

Medium (500 - 1,999)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Med City Marathon

Rochester, MN

May 16, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Epic Marathon

Green Bay, WI

May 16, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Madeline Island Marathon

La Pointe, WI

May 22, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Fargo Marathon

Fargo, ND

May 22, 2027

Medium (500 - 1,999)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Very Flat

Bayshore Marathon

Traverse City, MI

May 29, 2027

Medium (500 - 1,999)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Northwoods Escape Marathon

Minocqua, WI

May 30, 2027

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Martian Marathon

Dearborn, MI

April 11, 2026

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Eisenhower Marathon

Abilene, KS

April 18, 2026

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

Brainerd Jaycees Run for the Lakes Marathon

Nisswa, MN

May 2, 2026

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Mostly Flat

La Crosse Marathon

La Crosse, WI

May 2, 2026

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Downhill

Muddy River Marathon

Cape Girardeau, MO

May 2, 2026

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

Armed Services Marathon

Grand Haven, MI

May 17, 2026

Small (<500)

Cool to mild (45–65°F), variable conditions

Rolling Hills

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