Marathon

Choosing your first marathon is one of the most exciting — and slightly overwhelming — decisions a runner can make. With hundreds of marathons happening across the United States every year, the options can seem limitless: big city spectacles, quiet scenic routes, fast flat courses, point-to-point adventures, early fall starts, late November finishes. How do you choose your first marathon wisely? The answer comes down to a handful of key criteria that, when evaluated honestly against your goals and circumstances,

Of all the variables that determine whether your marathon goes brilliantly or falls apart, pacing is the one most firmly in your control. A smart marathon pacing strategy can be the difference between a personal record and a miserable death march through the final ten kilometers. Yet despite its importance, pacing is one of the most commonly mismanaged aspects of marathon racing — especially among runners who haven't yet learned to respect the distance. This guide breaks down the three

Fall is marathon season. The air turns crisp, the leaves shift to amber and gold, and runners across the country line up for the races they've spent all summer training to conquer. The best fall marathons 2026 span a remarkable range of experiences — from the electric mass-participation energy of Chicago and New York to the quiet, personal triumph of finishing in a smaller city surrounded by autumn foliage. Whether you're gunning for a personal record, pursuing a world major,

Training for a fall marathon when summer arrives is one of the great challenges of recreational running. Your easy pace slows by 30–90 seconds per mile, your heart rate climbs even on familiar routes, and the long runs that felt manageable in spring suddenly feel like survival exercises. But summer marathon training isn't just about suffering through heat — it's an opportunity to develop genuine physiological adaptations that make you a stronger, more resilient runner come race day. This guide

Some marathons are just a race. The best destination marathons are an experience — a reason to book a flight, explore a new city, and run through landscapes you'd otherwise never see on foot. The world of international marathon running has never been more exciting, and the best destination marathons deliver memories that far outlast the soreness. Whether you're chasing one of the six World Marathon Majors, hunting a fast PR on a windswept European course, or looking for something

Mile 20. Everything was going perfectly — your splits were dialed in, your legs felt strong, your confidence was sky high. Then, without warning, the wheels came off. Your pace slowed to a shuffle, your legs turned to concrete, and those final 6.2 miles felt longer than the first 20 combined. You hit the wall. Hitting the wall marathon runners call it "bonking," physiologists call it glycogen depletion, and just about every runner who has experienced it calls it their

Spring is the premier marathon season. Cool temperatures, long days, and post-winter motivation combine to make March, April, and May the months when runners peak — and when race organizations put on some of the most iconic, well-supported events in the sport. Whether you're chasing a Boston qualifier, running your first 26.2, or simply after a breathtaking course, the best spring marathons of 2026 offer something for every runner. Here's a guide to the top events from coast to coast,

Training for your first marathon — or your first marathon with a real plan — is one of the most rewarding athletic challenges you can take on. It demands consistency, patience, and respect for the distance. A well-structured marathon training plan for beginners doesn't just get you to the finish line; it gets you there healthy, confident, and ready to enjoy the experience. This 18-week plan covers everything from your first long run to your taper and race-day strategy, with

Running the Boston Marathon is a dream for millions of distance runners, but entry isn't guaranteed by simply signing up. To toe the line in Hopkinton on Patriots' Day, you need to earn it — and understanding how to qualify for the Boston Marathon is the first step toward making that dream a reality. This guide breaks down the 2026 qualifying times, the registration process, the strategy to run a Boston Qualifier (BQ), and the best races to attempt one. What

If you're building your racing bucket list, you've come to the right place. The best marathons in the US for 2026 span everything from the storied streets of Boston and New York to the redwood-lined bluffs of Big Sur — and there has never been a better time to lace up and chase 26.2. Whether you're a first-timer looking for a festive, crowd-supported debut or a seasoned runner hunting a fast PR course, this guide covers 25 iconic American marathons