the best spring bq marathon near new york city

By PaceKit Team · Updated April 2026

If you live in the New York City metro area and you want to run a fast, flat, Boston-qualifying marathon in the spring, your options have historically been limited. NYC Marathon is in November and requires a lottery. New Jersey Marathon (Long Branch) and Atlantic City are fall races. Until 2023, there was no major spring marathon within commuting distance of Manhattan.

The Jersey City Marathon fills that gap, and it fills it well. The course is one of the flattest in the country (Course Score 99.20, 2nd fastest in New Jersey). It's USATF certified and a 2027 Boston qualifier. The BQ rate has been solid for a young race: 18.7% in 2024, 16.2% in 2025. Pace groups cover 2:55 through 5:20. The start line in Newport is a 10-minute PATH ride from lower Manhattan or a short drive through the Holland Tunnel.

For NYC runners, that proximity is the selling point. No flights. No hotel rooms (though they're available if you want one). No shipping your gear across the country. You can sleep in your own bed, take the train to Newport, run 26.2 miles with the Manhattan skyline across the river, and be home by the afternoon. For a spring BQ attempt, there's nothing else like that in this market.

The race is young (2026 is year four) and still working through growing pains. Early years had logistical issues that the organizers have been addressing. But the course itself is legitimate: flat, fast, properly certified, and positioned in a location that gives you waterfront views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty while you run. No other marathon in the country offers that combination of speed, scenery, and accessibility for the NYC metro audience.

If you're comparing options: Carmel (Indiana) and Mountains 2 Beach (California) have higher BQ rates and more established reputations, but they require travel. Within driving or transit distance of NYC, Jersey City is the clear choice for a spring BQ attempt.