If you're chasing a Boston qualifier in New England, Lowell is a sensible place to try. The course starts and finishes at the Tsongas Center and runs two loops along the Merrimack River, crossing it on a series of bridges, including the Rourke Bridge twice. Find My Marathon lists about 507 feet of gain over the full distance, which is as flat as you'll find in the region, and roughly 23 percent of 2025 finishers ran Boston-qualifying times. The race is put on entirely by volunteers from the Greater Lowell Road Runners, and it stays small: 1,140 marathon finishers in 2025. Pace groups run from 2:50 to 4:10, and the 8:00 a.m. start in mid-October means cool air coming off the river in the first miles. Register in January; the 2026 marathon sold out and closed its waitlist.
Double-loop course starting and finishing at the Tsongas Center, running along both banks of the Merrimack River and crossing it on several bridges (Rourke Bridge twice, Tyngsboro, Aiken Street), with only gentle grades. Course map ↗
when the marathon or half reaches capacity; the 2026 marathon is sold out and its waitlist has closed. early January (official FAQ: prices are lowest when registration opens in early January; increases Feb 1, Mar 1, May 1, Sep 1, Oct 1 and expo weekend). First-come, first-served with a first-come waitlist for the marathon. 2026 fees on RunSignUp: marathon $140, half $115, relay $115. No deferrals or refunds (volunteer-run nonprofit); transfers allowed through Sept 30. Organized by the Greater Lowell Road Runners. Register ↗
- The marathon is a double loop that starts and finishes at the Tsongas Center and crosses the Merrimack River on the Rourke Bridge, Tyngsboro Bridge and Aiken Street Bridge. ↗
- Find My Marathon lists 507 feet of gain and 511 feet of loss, with 1,140 finishers and a 22.9% Boston-qualifier rate in 2025. ↗
- The official site cites run.outsideonline.com ranking Baystate #1 in the Northeast for a BQ in 2025 and findmymarathon.com ranking it #7 overall for Boston qualifiers. ↗
- The race is run entirely by volunteers of the Greater Lowell Road Runners, and deferrals and refunds are not offered. ↗
- Marathon pace groups target 2:50, 3:00, 3:10, 3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00 and 4:10; the marathon starts at 8:00 a.m. ↗
Checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site before booking travel.