Boston Marathon Snubbed by USA TODAY. Should It Rank Among Top U.S. Marathons?
Bostonians love their Boston Marathon, but they’re not loving the new USA TODAY rankings that snub the city’s beloved running event. The publication released a list of the 10 best marathons…
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 21: First Sgt. Matthew Johnson of the National Lancers, dressed as Paul Revere rides a horse down Boylston Street to honor the 250th Anniversary of Patriots’ Day before the 129th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Bostonians love their Boston Marathon, but they're not loving the new USA TODAY rankings that snub the city's beloved running event.
The publication released a list of the 10 best marathons in the United States for 2026 on Wednesday, April 1, as part of its 2026 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. Surprisingly, the Boston Marathon wasn't even mentioned.
Traditionally held in spring, the Boston Marathon, held this year on Monday, April 20, is celebrated as the world's oldest marathon. It traces its origins to 1897 and features iconic elements like Heartbreak Hill and the Scream Tunnel at Wellesley College.
Despite not being recognized in this year's USA TODAY rankings, the Boston Marathon remains a premier athletic event. It sits within the Abbott World Marathon Majors circuit, underscoring its high stature in the sport.
Among the races highlighted by USA TODAY for their distinctive appeal are the Detroit Free Press Marathon (No. 1), the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon (No. 2), and California's Big Sur International Marathon (No. 5).
