Are we really talking about spring marathons already? Well, believe it or not, it’s almost time to start choosing a spring marathon in order to give yourself enough time to train. If your race is in April, that means starting to train in December in order to give yourself 16 weeks. And if you are running a fall race, you will want to make sure you recover from that and give yourself a little break before training starts up again. But the first step is choosing a race!
I tend to lean towards fall marathons and end up doing shorter races in the spring, so I am not as familiar with spring marathons. I’ve recently been researching spring marathons on the east coast for myself and others and thought I would share for anyone else who is looking.
Popular Spring Marathons on the East Coast
Hyannis Marathon
Date: March 1st, 2026
Location: Hyannis, MA
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Scenic route through historical areas including villages of Cape Cod. Paved, mostly flat course. However, it is not closed to traffic. The marathon runs at the same time as the half and 10k and the marathon is two loops of the half marathon course.
Atlanta Marathon
Date: March 1st, 2026
Location: Atlanta, GA
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Large event that runs through historical landmarks and scenic areas. Lots of rolling hills with significant elevation changes throughout the course.
One City Marathon
Date: March 1st, 2026
Location: Newport News, VA
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Point to point course across scenic areas Newport News including parks, waterways, and neighborhoods. Some small hills throughout the course but total elevation gain is only 454 feet.
Myrtle Beach Marathon
Date: March 7th, 2026
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Flat and fast course with very minimal elevation gain with views of Myrtle Beach. Early start time of 6:35 am.
Shamrock Marathon
Date: March 22nd, 2026
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Starts in Virginia Beach and runs through nearby neighborhoods, then through historical landmarks before finishing on the boardwalk. Flat and fast course that attracts many runners looking to PR or BQ. Lots of community involvement and a festive atmosphere.
Cheap Marathon
Date: April 4th, 2026
Location: Derry, NH
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Out and back; flat and fast course. The marathon course is two loops of the half marathon course. Free race photos available.
Coastal Delaware Running Festival
Date: April 12th, 2026
Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Starts and ends on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. Scenic, flat, and fast course. Free race photos!
Delaware Marathon Running Festival
Date: April 19th, 2026
Location: Wilmington, DE
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Marathon is capped at 1,000 runners. The first half of the race is through downtown Wilmington; the second half is on a scenic trail. Very flat course.
Jersey City Marathon
Date: April 19th, 2026
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Fast and flat course. Run through the neighborhoods of Jersey City. This is only the 4th year of this race.
Boston Marathon
Date: April 20th, 2026
Location: Boston, MA
Boston Qualifier: Yes
Description: Race registration is only available to runners who have qualified or fundraised through a charity program. The course is challenging, with steep downhills and plenty of big, rolling hills later in the race.
Gettysburg Festival of Races
Date: April 26th, 2026
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: The marathon course is two loops of the half marathon course. Course briefly runs through northern Maryland. Free race photos available. Lots of rolling hills.
Jim Thorpe Area Running Festival
Date: April 26th 2025
Location: Jim Thorpe, PA
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Point to point course with gradual downhill (.5-1% downgrade). 700 foot net downhill so no BQ time penalty. Free photos and customizable bibs.
Long Island Marathon
Date: May 3rd, 2025
Location: East Meadow, NY
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: A mostly flat course with 200 ft of elevation gain. Part of the course goes around Eisenhower Park.
Pittsburgh Marathon
Date: May 3rd, 2026
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Course runs through many neighborhoods of Pittsburgh and ends downtown. Goes over three bridges/rivers. Challenging course with many hills and over 900 feet of elevation gain.
Buffalo Marathon
Date: May 24th, 2026
Location: Buffalo, NY
Boston Qualifier: Yes
Description: Fast and scenic course through Buffalo’s downtown waterfront and major landmarks. Fairly flat with a total of 245 ft of elevation gain.
Vermont City Marathon
Date: May 24th, 2026
Location: Burlington, VT
Boston Qualifier? Yes
Description: Mostly flat with some rolling hills. Two loops of a 13.1 mile course. Scenic course with views of the Adirondack mountains.
What is your favorite spring marathon on the east coast?
You may also like:
How Runners Can Improve Their Recovery During Marathon Training
How to Use Tune-Up Races During Marathon Training
What Everyday Runners Can Take Away from Strava Data on Marathon Training
Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner and Runs with Pugs to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
Wow, what a thorough roundup of spring marathons! Some of these courses look so scenic and fast too!
I’m actually trying to get into the London Marathon next April, so it’s interesting to see what’s happening stateside around the same time.
Do you have a personal favourite from this list?