Marathon guides

Opinionated, data-backed answers to the questions runners actually ask — each one ranked live from our Green Score catalog and 10 years of race-day weather.

The easiest marathons for your first one
The most beginner-friendly US marathons, ranked by a first-timer difficulty score from course, 10-year race-day weather, and crowd support. Flat, cool, well-supported races to debut at.
The flattest, fastest marathons for a Boston Qualifier
The best Boston-qualifying marathons to run a fast time: flat courses with cool, dry race-day weather, ranked from 10 years of climatology and elevation data.
The coolest-weather marathons in the US
US marathons with the coolest, driest race-day weather, ranked from 10 years of historical temperature and dew point at the start line. Race where the heat won't cost you minutes.