Spring Marathons 2026: 48 US & International Races

Spring is the most anticipated season on the running calendar. With ideal weather, world-major championships, and 48 races on the What Race To Run calendar from March through May 2026, this is the season runners spend all winter training for. Whether you’re targeting a Boston Marathon qualifier, your first half marathon, or a bucket-list destination race, spring 2026 has something for every distance and ambition.

Below is the complete WRTR directory of confirmed spring 2026 races. Click any race for course details, registration links, and travel logistics.

Why Spring Is Peak Marathon Season

Spring is the busiest racing window of the year for one reason: ideal racing weather. March, April, and May in the northern hemisphere offer cool start temperatures (40-55°F), low humidity, and long daylight hours for late-arriving runners. Most major world marathons — Boston, London, Tokyo, Paris, Madrid, Vienna — all fall in this window. For trail and ultra runners, spring brings courses through wildflower-covered hills before summer heat arrives.

The 2026 Spring Marathon Calendar

Spring 2026 includes flagship events like the Tokyo Marathon in March, the Boston Marathon on Patriots’ Day (April 20), the London Marathon on April 26, and the Paris Marathon. Bucket-list runners can also target the Mont Saint-Michel Marathon in France, the Madrid Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, and the Vienna City Marathon. Stateside, options include the Big Sur International Marathon, the OC Marathon, and dozens of regional races from coast to coast.

All Spring 2026 Races on WRTR

Every confirmed spring 2026 race in our database, sorted by date:

How to Prepare for a Spring Marathon

Most spring marathon training cycles start between mid-December and early January. You’ll want 16-20 weeks of structured training, peaking with a 20-22 mile long run three weeks out from race day. Indoor treadmill workouts, base building in cold weather, and dialed-in nutrition planning are the four pillars of a successful spring buildup. Many runners use a fall half marathon as a tune-up before committing to a full spring 26.2.

Spring Race Travel Tips

• Boston qualifiers: If you’re targeting a BQ time, spring races offer the best chance — cool weather and well-known fast courses like the OC Marathon, Mountains 2 Beach, and the Erie Marathon (Pennsylvania) are reliable BQ producers.
• International destination races: Book flights and lodging 6+ months out. London, Tokyo, and Paris hotels sell out fast.
• Layer for variable weather. Spring race-day forecasts swing from 35°F at the start to 65°F by mid-race. Dress in throwaway layers and use arm sleeves you can shed.
• Watch the calendar. Easter Sunday and Passover both fall in this window — they affect hotel pricing and traffic logistics.

More Spring Race Resources

• Best Spring Marathons 2026: Boston, Big Sur & More →
• How to Qualify for the Boston Marathon →
• 18-Week Marathon Training Plan →
• All Marathons →