Looking for a fast marathon to qualify for Boston? Do what American runners do: pick a flat or gently downhill course, run in cool weather. The fastest marathon in the US is Chicago: Kelvin Kiptum ran 2:00:35 there in 2023, a world record at the time. But CIM in Sacramento, Houston, Indianapolis and Grandma’s in Duluth are just as good for a BQ. Here are the 7 fastest marathons to target in 2027, with dates, profiles and how to get a bib.
The short answer
- The fastest: Chicago (Sunday 10 October 2027), a flat course with a 2:00:35 course record. Entry by lottery.
- Hidden gems: CIM in Sacramento (366 ft net downhill), Houston (17 January 2027) and Indianapolis, flat and well paced.
- No lottery: Mesa, Arizona (13 February 2027), open entry while places last.
- Heads-up: Houston, Grandma’s and the 2026 CIM are sold out. Plan ahead.
Contents
The 7 fastest marathons in the US
1. Chicago Marathon: the fastest in the US
Chicago is the fastest marathon in the US. Kelvin Kiptum set the course record of 2:00:35 in 2023, and Amos Kipruto won the 2026 edition in 2:01:09. The course starts and finishes in Grant Park, on a flat loop through the city’s neighbourhoods. With more than 55,000 entrants in 2026, it’s also one of the biggest marathons in the world.
- Date: Sunday 10 October 2027, 7:30am start.
- Entry: lottery applications were open from 8 to 29 October 2026, with results on 8 December 2026. The bib costs $260 for non-US residents (plus a processing fee), charged only if you’re selected.
- Guaranteed entry by time: for ages 16-34, 2:50:00 for men and 3:20:00 for women, on a certified marathon run between 1 January 2025 and 29 October 2026. Other options: charity (minimum $2,500 to raise) or official tour operator.
- Best for: runners chasing a PB at a big marathon, with crowds all along the course.
Read our full guide to the Chicago Marathon and our article on the 6 World Marathon Majors.
2. California International Marathon (CIM): the PB hunters’ secret
CIM runs from Folsom, in the Sierra Nevada foothills, to the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The point-to-point course drops 366 ft in total: rolling hills for the first 21 miles, then 5 flat, fast miles to the finish. The course records date from 2024: 2:07:35 for Tsegay Weldlibanos and 2:24:28 for Calli Hauger-Thackery.
- Date: the 2027 date hasn’t been announced yet. The 2026 edition is on 6 December.
- Entry: the 2026 edition is sold out. In 2026, the bib cost $180 to $230 depending on the package. The 2027 details haven’t been published yet.
- Good to know: the drop is within Boston’s rules, so your time counts for qualifying with no penalty.
- Best for: runners who want a PB or a Boston qualifier at the end of the season.
3. Houston Marathon: January’s flat course
Houston is one of the flattest courses in the country, and January mornings are often cool at the start. In 2026, Zouhair Talbi set the course record of 2:05:45.
- Date: Sunday 17 January 2027.
- Entry: marathon and half are sold out for 2027, at every price tier.
- Front corrals: open with a verified marathon time of 3:29:59 or faster, run since 1 January 2025 (deadline: 30 November 2026).
- Best for: runners who want a mid-winter PB, with training through the autumn.
4. Indianapolis Monumental Marathon: flat and well paced
The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon takes place in early November, on a flat course finishing at the Indiana War Memorial. Pacers cover finish times from 3:00 to 6:33.
- Date: the 2027 date hasn’t been announced yet. The 2026 edition is on Saturday 7 November.
- Entry: the 2026 edition is sold out. 2027 entries open during the 2026 race weekend (until 8 November), then again on 1 January 2027.
- Best for: runners who want a PB without the crowds of a big-city marathon.
5. Grandma’s Marathon: along Lake Superior
Grandma’s starts near Two Harbors and follows the shore of Lake Superior to Canal Park in Duluth, Minnesota. The point-to-point course drops about 130 ft. The course record is 2:09:06, set by Dominic Ondoro in 2014.
- Date: Saturday 19 June 2027.
- Entry: the 8,000 marathon places for 2027 went in under 3 hours ($155 bib). About 1,000 charity places remained when registration closed.
- Good to know: the race is in June. Watch the weather, heat can slow you down.
- Best for: an early-summer PB in a small-town atmosphere.
6. Mesa Marathon: the desert downhill
Mesa, near Phoenix, Arizona, starts at the foot of Usery Mountain and finishes at Riverview Park, on a downhill course through the Sonoran Desert.
- Date: Saturday 13 February 2027, 6:30am start.
- Entry: open to everyone, first come, first served, no lottery.
- Size: about 3,000 marathon finishers (3,008 in 2026).
- Best for: runners who want a fast time without a lottery. Get your quads ready for the downhill.
7. Boston Marathon: fast, but not record-eligible
Boston is a downhill point-to-point course. Geoffrey Mutai ran 2:03:02 there in 2011, but it never counted as a world record: the course doesn’t meet World Athletics rules (start and finish too far apart, too much drop). The Newton hills in the second half also make pacing tricky.
- Date: Monday 19 April 2027.
- Entry: closed for 2027. You had to run 5:17 under your qualifying time (for example 2:49:43 for a man aged 18-34, whose standard is 2:55:00).
- Best for: qualified runners who want to experience the legendary race more than a PB.
To learn all about qualifying, read our guide to the Boston Marathon.
Which fast US marathon should you choose?
| Race | 2027 date | Season | Main highlight | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 17 January | Winter | Very flat, cool | Sold out |
| Mesa | 13 February | Winter | Downhill course | Open entry |
| Boston | 19 April | Spring | The legendary race | Qualifying (2027 entries closed) |
| Grandma’s | 19 June | Summer | Along Lake Superior | Sold out (charity places) |
| Chicago | 10 October | Autumn | Fastest in the US | Lottery or time |
| Indianapolis | November (TBA) | Autumn | Flat, pacers | Opens 1 January 2027 |
| CIM (Sacramento) | December (TBA) | Autumn | 366 ft net downhill | 2027 details TBA |
If you don’t get a Chicago bib on 8 December 2026, Indianapolis and CIM in November and December offer the same goal: a PB on a fast course at the end of the season.
How to prepare for a fast US marathon
- Know your miles. Course markers are in miles (1 mile = 1.609 km). Calculate your split times and convert them before the start.
- Plan for jet lag. If you’re travelling from Europe, expect 6 to 9 hours of time difference. Arrive several days early if you’re chasing a PB.
- Match your training to the season. For Houston or Mesa, your build-up falls in mid-winter. For Grandma’s in June, get used to running in the heat.
- Train for the profile. For CIM, Mesa or Boston, add downhills to your long runs to prepare your quads.
A plan built around your race date
RunMotion Coach builds your marathon training plan, personalised to your level, your goal and your race date, with personalised paces. Try it free for 7 days.
FAQ
What is the fastest marathon in the US?
Chicago. The course record, 2:00:35, was set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023. Boston has seen very fast times, but its downhill course isn’t eligible for world records.
How do I get a bib for the 2027 Chicago Marathon?
Through the lottery (applications closed on 29 October 2026, results on 8 December), with a qualifying time, through a charity or with an official tour operator.
Which fast US marathon has no lottery?
Mesa, Arizona, on 13 February 2027: open entry while places last. In Indianapolis, 2027 entries reopen on 1 January 2027.
Does a downhill course count for Boston qualifying?
Yes, up to 1,500 ft of net drop. Beyond that, Boston adds 5 or 10 minutes to your time, and it doesn’t accept courses with more than 6,000 ft of drop.
Want to compare with Europe? Read our top 10 flattest marathons and our guide to the Berlin Marathon.
Ready to set a PB in the US? Start your 7-day free trial and let RunMotion Coach build your plan all the way to race day.
Updated 28 October 2026.
