
Boston or Bust Marathon
Boston or Bust Marathon offers a fast, flat course in Huntsville, Alabama, ideal for Boston Qualifier attempts.
Race Date
Sep 13, 2026
Location
Huntsville, AL
Quick facts
- Date
- Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Location
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 26.2 Miles
- Course
- Loop Course
- Terrain
- Road
- USATF certified
- Yes
- Finishers on record
- 10,651
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
The Boston or Bust Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama, presents a compelling opportunity for runners aiming for Boston. This USATF-certified course is designed for speed, boasting an extremely flat profile along the Aldridge Creek Greenway and the Tennessee River.
With recent fields around 5,448 finishers and drawing participants from approximately 20 states, the event has shown a growing trend. While repeat-runner loyalty is around 15%, its status as one of the few late-season Boston Qualifier opportunities in the South makes it a significant draw, especially with its heritage dating back to at least 2022.
The race concludes with a robust post-race celebration at Ditto Landing Marina, featuring food, music, and drink tickets, embodying the organizer's philosophy of training hard, racing hard, and celebrating hard.
Race-provided description
The Boston or Bust Marathon & Half Marathon USATF Certification information for our 2024 Boston Qualifiers! USATF Certification Certification code: AL22025JE It's (almost) time to book your tickets to run Boston! The Boston or Bust Marathon will be an extremely flat and fast course along Aldridge Creek and Tennessee River in South Huntsville. The course will start and finish at Ditto Landing Marina and is entirely on the Alridge Creek Greenway. We will have Chip Timing and both half and full marathon courses will be certified. ..And then there's the post race party. We will have post race food for all finishers, 2 drink tickets, post race music, all at the Ditto Landing Marina Pavilion. We believe in training hard, racing hard and celebrating hard and this race will be no different! Historically the last window to qualify for the following April Boston race is the second weekend in September. This is one of the very few last minute qualifiers in the South. Average Temperatures at this time of year are 64F/ 87F which is why we will start at 6:00AM. The guaranteed t-shirt deadline has passed however we will have extras along with RunningLane shirts for those last minute signups so you don't go home empty handed. All aid stations will have water, gatorade and GU energy gels.
Logistics
Race Day
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Start Time
6:00 AM
Giveaway
T-Shirt (Adult Unisex)
Start Location
293 Ditto Landing Rd SE, Huntsville, AL, 35803
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Loop Course
Terrain
road
Scenery
Lake River
Surface
Paved
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
0 m (Flat)
Separation
0.0%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
AL22025JE · Boston or Bust Half Marathon
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.
Quality Score
Standout694 years running
~3,351 finishers a year
growing or steady
15% returning runners
USATF certified · 5 timing sources · 8 photos
runners from 20 states
winner 0:05:02
typical high 83°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
65°
Afternoon (High)
83°
Hot conditions — adjust pace expectations, prioritize hydration
0.1"
Precipitation
8 mph
Wind
71%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 10,651 finishers actually crossed the line across 4 years.
Most recent
2025
Total finishers
10,651
Median time
2:10:37
Latest turnout
5,187
States
28
Turnout by year
2022–2025
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Boston or Bust Marathon?
The Boston or Bust Marathon is held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, starting at 6:00 AM.
Where does the Boston or Bust Marathon take place?
It takes place in Huntsville, Alabama.
What distances does the Boston or Bust Marathon offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 26.2 Miles.
Is the Boston or Bust Marathon course flat and good for a PR?
The Boston or Bust Marathon is a ultra-flat, loop course course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.
How many people run the Boston or Bust Marathon?
HalfRuns has finish records for 10,651 runners who have completed the Boston or Bust Marathon.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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