It Doesn’t Have to Be a Major
“If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.”
This past week has been a hotbed of discussion around the discussion of who gets to run world major marathons, as the list of official entrants to the 2026 NYC Marathon was released. And out of the staggering 240,000 people who applied to run (a record-breaking number for the race), only 1% of applicants (roughly 6,500) were selected through the general lottery. This was a 20% increase in applications over 2025. Those numbers are crazy. And with the high number of rejection notices landing in runners' inboxes comes a lot of big feelings.
While I find it amazing that the sport of marathon running has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds over recent years, I also find it very frustrating how much weight the world major marathons carry. Many runners will refuse to run races other than the world majors. I get the hype - these races are super popular, come with awesome swag, are incredibly well-organized, and draw the most elite fields. But there are literally thousands of other races that you can run: google "full marathons near me" and pages of results will come up.
The problem with the world majors is that now that more and more runners are applying, the criteria to get in is getting more and more challenging. Qualifying standards are bordering on completely unrealistic (and unfairly out if the range of possibility for most recreational runners), charity fundraising minimums are becoming sky-high, and the limited availability for the lottery spots is incredibly defeating for most runners.
As someone who has run 47 full marathons (and only four of the world majors, with no sense of urgency or desire to run the others, if we are being honest), I am here to tell you that not getting into a world major marathon does not define you as a runner! I am also here to tell you that there are a ton of other marathons out there that are, arguably, more fun than some of the majors I've run! Here is my ranking of my five (six including my honorable mention marathon) races that I loved more than world majors!
#1: THE LA MARATHON
I absolutely love the Los Angeles Marathon in March. I ran this race in 2024 and 2025, and had a blast both years. Running this race is an incredible way to see the city—you start at Dodger Stadium and run through Koreatown, the Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, and end at Century City. For not being a world major, this race certainly has the organization, amenities, and crowd support of a major! The hills are tough and the race can be very warm, but it is absolutely a race I'd run over any major! Highlights of this race are the view of the city and the palm trees and sunrise as you're exiting the stadium in miles one and two ; the view of the Hollywood sign as you're tackling the hills on Sunset Boulevard ; running over the walk of fame in Hollywood, and the spectators on Rodeo Drive.
#2: MARINE CORPS MARATHON
The MCM, held in October in Washington, DC will always hold a special place in my heart. This was one of the first full marathons I ran when I began my distance running journey, and both were run under different names as I bought bibs on Craigslist from injured runners (TBT). Just like LA, the Marine Corps Marathon is extremely well organized and has the feel of a major marathon. While some of the middle miles are light on crowd support and feel long and flat as you run through a somewhat boring stretch, this race gives you amazing views of the monuments and the Potomac, and you cross over from Virginia, into the District, and back. Some highlights of this race were running through the gorgeous streets of Georgetown ; the surreal feeling of running over the 14th Street Bridge; seeing the memorials and monuments ; and the moving tribute to fallen soldiers at mile 12—the Blue Mile.
#3: NIAGARA FALLS INTERNATIONAL MARATHON
The Niagara Falls International Marathon, held in October, was an absolutely beautiful race. It also has hometown ties for me, as I am from Buffalo, NY—so traveling back home to run this race was very special for me. It unfortunately was the race in which I broke my pelvis due to running with a Lyme disease, but that's a story for another time. This race takes place in peak fall—so the weather is typically very moderate, the views of the foliage along the Niagara River and the Falls is gorgeous, and the race is not very crowded, which is always a win. The course is also flat and fast! While the spectators aren't as numerous or as loud as other marathons, that allows runners to really take in the incredible scenery. Highlights include starting in my hometown of Buffalo; crossing the bridge into Canada; the beautiful view of the horseshoe falls; and the fall foliage.
#4: FLYING PIG MARATHON
Sleeper pick! The Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio, is held in May and is two things: incredibly fun and incredibly tough. Emily's family lives in Cincinnati, so we randomly signed up for this race when we were in town visiting. This race is an absolute vibe. The whole city gets into marathon weekend, and you start the race in Ohio, cross the river into Kentucky, and then loop back into Cincinnati. The hills are very tough, but the spectators are wild and so motivating. Highlights of this race include crossing over the bridge into Kentucky over the river ; the spectators dressed up and so excited about marathon weekend (including giving out bacon to runners at mile 3); the weekend festivities—they have a one mile race, a 5k and a half marathon ; and the triumphant feeling at the finish line near the stadium.
#5: MESA MARATHON
The Mesa Marathon in February in Arizona sounds incredibly random, but it is so much fun and absolutely beautiful. I ran this race when visiting family friends in 2014, and this was such a cool experience. First of all, the scenery in Arizona is so much different and more beautiful than New England, especially in February. I distinctly remember runners at the start line bundled up in winter jackets, mittens and hats because the temperature at the start line was 60 degrees! Very different from winter in Boston. The race starts at the top of a mountain in the dark (a very early start to minimize time in the hot sun). The views are incredible. The race does have enough incline that you use different muscles and don't burn out while going only downhill, and is an overall fast course if looking for a good time. The highlights are definitely the beautiful Arizona scenery; the fact that it's a dry heat, as opposed to humid, so more manageable to run in, at least for me ; the opportunity to run in sunshine if you are suffering from the winter blues in a colder state ; and the way this race was super well organized.
HONORABLE MENTION: KIAWAH ISLAND MARATHON
The Kiawah Island Marathon in December gets an honorable mention for me because I ran in torrential downpours so could not see a thing except for the puddles in front of me, but without the terrible weather, this course would have been amazing. Kiawah Island is beautiful—you run through golf courses, over bridges and around beautiful homes, the expo is super festive and fun, and above all, the race is completely flat. You run through marshland and see many signs warning you to look out for alligators, which adds an element of adventure to the race. It is on my bucket list to return to Kiawah Island for a redemption race on hopefully a better weather day.
Feeling bummed or discouraged about not getting into a world major marathon? Hopefully my short list of non-major marathons inspires you to sign up for a race in a new state or new city. The distance is the same, the sweetness of the finish line is still waiting for you, and many times, the non-major marathons feel more personal (and the scenery is better) than some of the bigger races. After all, running 26.2 is an incredible feat, no matter where the miles are or who sponsors the race ;)
Xo