Oct 11, 2025
The 7 fastest marathons in the US: data-backed vs reputation
The 7 fastest marathons in the US: data-backed vs reputation-based
Most “fastest marathon” lists in the US lean on hype: World Marathon Majors like Chicago, Boston, and New York dominate because of prestige, not always because they’re statistically fast. But when you flip the lens to average finish times and the density of sub-3 runners, the story changes.
Hidden gems like CIM (California International Marathon) and Houston often outperform the majors for serious amateurs chasing PB's or Boston qualifiers. Below, Kaizen splits the field into two tiers: data-backed fastest, and reputation-based fast.
For a full list check out our North American race directory
Tier One: Data-backed fastest marathons
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Indianapolis, IN
An autumn marathon through downtown Indy, known for being flat, efficient, and a favourite for Boston qualifer's in the Midwest.
Where: Flat city loop with start/finish near the State Capitol.
Kaizen PB ranking 1.6
When: Early November (1 Nov 2025).
Field size: ~4,000.
Average finish: ~4:04.
Sub-3 depth: One of the best BQ hit rates in the Midwest.
Entry: ~$125.
Start time: 8:00 AM.
PB potential: Flat, cool autumn conditions, smaller crowds = easy rhythm.
Cost: $650–$1,100 weekend.
Chicago Marathon Chicago, IL
“The Windy City” marathon is famous for depth, flat course, and the sheer scale of participation and pacing support.
When: Early October (12 Oct 2025).
Kaizen PB ranking 1.6
Where: Loop course through downtown and 29 neighborhoods.
Field size: ~47,000 finishers.
Average finish: ~4:26 overall.
Sub-3 depth: 4,000+ runners in 2023.
Entry: $240 (US residents), $250 (non-US); lottery only.
Start time: 7:30 AM.
PB potential: Flat, sea level, legendary crowds. Risk = warm weather some years.
Cost: $900–$1,500 weekend.
Registration / apply link
Beantown Marathon (Hingham, MA)
A small, highly tuned Boston-qualifier loop race in Bare Cove Park where ~35 % of finishers hit the Boston standard in 2024.
When: Early September (e.g. Sept 7 2025)
Kaizen race directory
Where: Bare Cove Park, Hingham, Massachusetts - 6-loop course on paved park roads
Field size: ~500 runners (field limit)
Average finish: 03:43:21 (2024) fastest average finish among marathons in the 2024 Running USA Top Races Report
Sub-3 / BQ depth: ≈ 35% Boston Qualifier rate in 2024 (ranked #17 among ≈ 500 US marathons)
Entry: ≈ $125 (early registration for 2025)
Start time: 7:00 AM
PB potential: Very high, quiet, closed, USATF-certified loop course designed for last-chance BQ attempts; small field minimises congestion
Cost (race weekend): Not publicly reported
When: October (e.g. Oct 5, 2025)
Registration / ticket link
Portland marathon Portland, OR
Kaizen PB ranking 2.13
Where: Portland, Oregon — starts & finishes at Waterfront Park, minimal elevation changes (max ~178 ft)
Field size: ~3,009 finishers (2025)
Average finish: 04:28:28 (2025) data
Sub-3 / BQ depth: Not listed in this particular result summary
Entry: Not reported in the result page
Start time: 7:15 AM (marathon)
PB potential: Fair, fairly flat route, modest elevation gain, early start helps; not extremely fast compared to BQ factory courses
Cost (race weekend): Not reported in that result page
Houston Marathon Houston, TX
A fast January marathon in Houston with cool weather, flat course, and strong fields aiming for PBs.
Kaizen PB ranking 2.3
When: Mid-January (19 Jan 2025).
Where: Loop through central Houston.
Field size: ~7,000 marathoners.
Average finish: ~4:12 — unusually fast for a US city marathon.
Sub-3 depth: Consistently strong early-season PB fields.
Entry: ~$150.
Start time: 7:00 AM.
PB potential: Cool winter temps, flat, and fast.
Cost: $700–$1,200 weekend.
Registration / entry here
Columbus Marathon (Columbus, OH)
Kaizen PB ranking: 2.69
When: Sunday, October 19, 2025
Where: Downtown Columbus, with a course described as minimal elevation change and mostly flat / fast.
Field size: ~3,885 finishers in 2024
Average finish: 04:15:43 (2024) data
Sub-3 / BQ depth: ~9.2% BQ rate in 2024
Entry: Tiered fees (for 2025): $110 (through Feb 28), $125 (through Apr 30), $140 (through Jun 30), $155 (through Aug 31)
Start time: 7:30 AM for marathon & half marathon (wheelchair starts earlier)
PB potential: Good - flat course, early start, steady terrain help make it PB-friendly
Cost: Not directly listed (travel, hotel, etc.)
Registration / entry: here
St. George Marathon (St. George, UT)
A race with dramatic elevation drop from Pine Valley to St. George, favored by those chasing fast downhill splits.
When: Early October (4 Oct 2025).
Where: Net downhill, from high desert to town.
Field size: ~4,000.
Average finish: ~4:11 data here
Sub-3 depth: Very strong, though downhill bias.
Entry: ~$125, lottery-based.
Start time: 6:45 AM.
PB potential: 2,500 ft drop makes it fast but quad-punishing.
Cost: $700–$1,200 weekend.
Registration / official site here
Tier Two: Reputation-based fast marathons
Big-name marathons are unforgettable but reputation doesn’t always equal speed. If you’re chasing a PB, the stats point to sticking with the data-backed races above.
California International Marathon (CIM) Sacramento, CA
Known as a “BQ factory,” CIM is often heralded for its net downhill and historical rate of Boston qualifiers.
When: First Sunday of December (7 Dec 2025)
Kaizen PB ranking 3.44
Where: Point-to-point from Folsom to downtown Sacramento.
Field size: ~9,000 finishers.
Average finish: ~3:53 overall — one of the fastest mass averages in the US.
Sub-3 depth: Extremely dense — BQ factory.
Entry: ~$195, sells out months in advance.
Start time: 7:00 AM.
PB potential: Slight net downhill (300 ft), cool temps, deep pacing groups.
Cost: $800–$1,300 weekend (entry + domestic flights + 2–3 nights hotel).
Boston Marathon Boston, MA
The world’s oldest annual marathon, deeply legendary and prestige-driven, though not always the fastest course on paper.
Kaizen PB ranking 3.44
When: April (21 Apr 2025).
Where: Point-to-point from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.
Field size: ~30,000.
Average finish: ~4:20.
Entry: ~$250, BQ required.
PB potential: Iconic, but Newton Hills + rolling profile = unpredictable.
Registration link: here
Philadelphia Marathon Philadelphia, PA
A well-organised East Coast marathon with a decent reputation, flat, mid-size, but not typically in “fastest” lists.
Kaizen PB ranking 3.2
When: Mid-November (23 Nov 2025).
Where: City loop along the Schuylkill River.
Field size: ~10,000.
Average finish: ~4:20.
PB potential: Cool, flat, well-organised; mid-size race with solid depth.
Registration / event info: here
New York City Marathon New York, NY
Iconic five-borough race known more for spectacle and global draw than for being optimally fast.
Kaizen PB ranking 4.8
When: Early November (2 Nov 2025).
Where: Five boroughs, finish in Central Park.
Field size: ~51,000.
Average finish: ~4:40 (its one of the slowest averages among majors).
Entry: ~$295 (US), ~$358 (non-US), lottery only.
PB potential: Electric crowds, brutal bridges. Not a fast course.
Entry / drawing info: here
Marine Corps Marathon Arlington, VA
“America’s Marathon” run by the U.S. Marines, huge prestige, strong draw, especially as a non-prize-money major
Kaizen rating
When: Late October (26 Oct 2025).
Where: Arlington and Washington DC.
Field size: ~20,000.
Average finish: ~4:45.
PB potential: Stunning landmarks, but crowding and rolling profile make PBs rare.
Registration / race site: here
When to book, train, and budget
Registration windows: Majors (Boston, Chicago, New York) open 9–12 months early and use lotteries or strict standards. CIM, Houston, and Grandma’s sell out fast — register early.
Training lead time: 16–20 weeks before race day with gradual mileage buildup and race-specific long runs.
Start times: US marathons mostly start between 6:30–8:00 AM for cool temps.
Cost: Domestic race weekends typically range $650–$1,500 including entry, flights, hotel, and food.
