While many people start running with dream of conquering Boston, New York City or another famous marathon, the path to big events can be complicated. Between time requirements and the thousands of others who dreams to compete, it’s difficult for first-time runners to make it into their goal race on the first try.
We here at Runner’s World think a runner’s first marathon is an exciting challenge, and to create more opportunity for success, we want to help take the pressure off. This way, you’ll have such a great experience you will want to run more marathons and you will be more experienced for these bucket-list events.
Some first race considerations:
Stay home or travel? Consider staying home to run through streets with which you are familiar. Every state typically has multiple events throughout the year—even Rhode Island has five certified ones—to minimize travel stress. Remember, most big races require bib pick-up a day or two before the race, so if you travel somewhere, you need to incorporate that into your scheduling.
Small race or large? For some runners, large groups who yell and hold signs are exactly what they need to keep going. Other runners are overwhelmed by noise and get distracted by lots of spectators and signs. Some races are deep in nature, while others are in cities. Think about which experience will help you get through the toughest miles (typically the ones numbered 18 to 22, in case you wondered).
Hills, altitude, and the weather: Unless you live and train at altitude or on hills, before you sign up for a race, take a good look at its course. You might want to find one that is “fast and flat” and maybe “net downhill.” On the other hand, some runners find flat courses boring, so a few hills can add some fun.
Also, do not ignore general weather information when you sign up for a race. A first race in heat and humidity is an additional challenge. If your goal is to run marathons for years, then pick a first race that won’t challenge you with the very basics, but will instead help you have a positive experience.
Alone or with a group? This likely will depend on how you trained, but be aware that running with a friend can sometimes feel supportive and other times feel competitive. If you want to run with others, but don’t have runner friends, consider a marathon that will allow you to run as part of a relay team.
Will there be a pace group or pacers? If you go to a race alone, one way to run with others is to find a pace group—if the race has them. Pacers and those who run with them stick together for the entire race (although you can always strike out on your own if the group isn’t working for you). Typically, you just get to a race and find the group running at the pace that works for you.
Food and water? While you should always bring your own fuel and hydration (just in case!), look at what will be available both on the course and after the race. Also, since what goes in must go out, study the bathroom map. As you can imagine, sometimes the largest races have the longest lines for porta-potties and not every runner wants to deal with that at races.
Little Rock Marathon
Date: March 7, 2027 (Sunday) Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Runners: 1,400
Time Limit: 8 hours
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Not only is the Little Rock Marathon finisher’s medal famous for being one of the biggest in the country—one behemoth had an 8.5-inch diameter and weighed 3.3 pounds—but the race hosts one of the friendliest finish lines around for back-of-the-pack runners. The course features an eight-hour time limit, but lets runners move to the sidewalk and finish with a medal even if they can’t meet the cutoff. While the course does have some rolling hills, especially near mile 16, the March race boasts scenic views of the Arkansas River and typically ideal, cool weather.
Run the Rainbow
Date: March 13, 2027 (Saturday) Location: Jackson, Mississippi Runners: 1,500
Time Limit: 6 hours
At this race, your registration fee and all race proceeds benefit Children’s of Mississippi, the state’s only children’s hospital. Run the Rainbow has, according to previous racers, “a lot of hills.” This is a very new race (it began in 2024), but for runners who hope to eventually complete 50 in 50 (50 marathons in 50 states), this may be a good Southern option. It’s easy to get into and not a big crowd, which may be less intimidating for runners new to racing.
Tobacco Road
Date: March 14, 2027 (Sunday) Location: Cary, North Carolina Runners: 1,600
Time Limit: 7 hours
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If you like running on trails rather than roads, this race might be a good choice. Most of the run is on the American Tobacco Trail, a rail-trail. It is unpaved with uneven surfaces. It also takes place on the weekend that Americans turn their clocks ahead, so you lose an hour of sleep the night before. It’s a consideration for those who worry about getting proper rest before a big race.
Flying Pig Marathon
Date: May 2, 2027 (Sunday)
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Runners: 6,300
Time Limit: 7 hours
Proud of their city’s pork industry heritage, Cincinnati residents go whole-hog on both pig puns and runner support. The race may be smaller than some big-city marathons, but 150,000 raucous spectators provide plenty of urban atmosphere—a major plus when debuting at the distance. Beware: The first five miles of the looped course include some hills, including a 300-foot ascent near mile six. But after mile 10, the route follows a gentle downhill with a fast finish in front of the city’s revitalized waterfront.
Colfax Marathon
Date: May 17, 2027
Location: Denver, Colorado
Runners: 2,500
Time Limit: 6 hours
The star of Denver’s signature marathon isn’t the altitude, medal, or crowd support. It’s the course itself: a creative tour of the city’s highlights, including two detours through Mile High Stadium—home of the Denver Broncos—a trip through a working firehouse, a loop around Sloan Lake, and a finish inside City Park next to the Denver Zoo. The relay is the second-largest marathon relay in the United States and features over 1,000 teams.
Vermont City Marathon
Date: May 24, 2027 (Sunday)
Location: Burlington, Vermont
Runners: 2,000
Time Limit: 6.5 hours
Have an entourage clamoring to see your first marathon finish? This race is perfect for when you want to bring the whole crew along. The clover-shaped course includes several out-and-back and looped sections that pass the same area. Without moving, your support crew can see you four times. With a little planning and some short walks, they’ll see you as many as 10 times. And when family and friends aren’t providing doses of motivation, the scenery and residents of Burlington fill in. The course includes a few small hills—and one big one past halfway—as it weaves through the north and south sections of the city. A gentle downhill for the last four miles brings you to the finish, with stellar views of both Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks.
Hartford Marathon
Date: October 9, 2027 (Saturday)
Location: Hartford, Connecticut
Runners: 10,000
Time Limit: 6.5 hours
An easy race to sign up for, but it does sell out (so register early when the prices are cheaper), this event has experienced runners who use it to qualify for Boston and first-time marathoners who want a big-city race. There are pace groups with clear instructions on how to join them and their various time goals on the race page. There are some rolling hills, but it is not considered a hilly course (that may seem incongruous, but in running there are rolling hills and there are hills—they are wildly different). To be specific, you won’t get above 800 feet during your 26.2 miles.
Victoria Marathon
When: October 10, 2027 (Sunday)
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Runners: 5,000
Time Limit: 6.5 hours
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It’s hard to decide which is better: the temperate weather (which usually hovers around 50 degrees on race day) or the welcoming running culture of this Canadian island city—a 90-minute ferry ride west of Vancouver. The out-and-back course (with a loop through downtown) traverses gentle rolling hills that never exceed 84 feet above sea level. Once you cross the finish line in front of British Columbia’s parliament building, locals recommend toasting your accomplishment with a beer: Victoria houses more than 10 microbreweries within city limits.
7 Bridges Marathon
Date: October 24, 2027 (Sunday)
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Runners: 4,000
Time Limit: 7 Hours
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We love this description from the race website: “The course is ‘fast’ and would not be considered ‘hilly’ for East Tennessee, but would certainly not be considered flat.” In other words, be prepared for gentle hills. Many runners have commented that this is a perfect race for beginners, as it has varying terrains, including some city roads, and is also in a park along a river and a creek. Nice time of year, too.
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
When: November 7, 2027
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Runners: 6,674
Time Limit: 7 hours
Register
On flat roads that tour through central and northern Indianapolis, race organizers have designed a course to show off the city’s most scenic buildings. Just a half-mile after the start, runners pass Lucas Oil Stadium. They’ll continue through a roundabout called Monument Circle, then head north, passing landmarks like the city’s Mass Ave district, Butler University, Broad Ripple Village, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The race finishes in front of the state’s capitol building.
Kit has been a health, fitness, and running journalist for the past five years. His work has taken him across the country, from Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, to cover the 2016 Olympic Trials to the top of Mt. Katahdin in Maine to cover Scott Jurek’s record-breaking Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2015.
