The Best Marathons in the United States
These are the top marathons in the country - the ones that every serious marathoner will want to run eventually.Top Tier
These are the ones that show up on every top ten list - these are must runs.New York
Attendance: 45,00
Race Date: the first week of November
Pros: All 5 buroughs, great crowd support
Cons: Logistics.
Boston
Attendance: 36,000
Race Date: Patriots Day Monday - late March
Pros: Pinnacle of Marathons
Cons: Lots of serious runners at this one.
Chicago
Attendance: 40,000
Race Date: October
Pros: Flat fast course, great town.
Cons: Like other big city marathons, expensive town.
Marine Corps
Attendance: 30,000
Race Date: Late October
Pros: Scenic route through nations capital
Cons: Very crowded for most of the race.
Big Sur
Attendance: 4500
Race Date: Late April
Pros: Beauty, grand piano.
Cons: Hilly, but worth it.
Walt Disney World
Attendance: 7,000
Race Date: January
Pros: Really fun, all 4 parks, great first marathon.
Cons: Not for the PR, more for the fun.
