Is December a good month for a Marathon?
December sits in the middle of the year for the Marathon, carrying 39 against 69 in November and 13 in August. Enough to choose from, and easier to get into than the races at the peak of the season.
Race calendar · December 2026
Marathons in December 2026
39 marathons across the US in December 2026, sorted by date. Which weekends are busiest, what the fields actually run, entry fees, and where each one starts.
December marathons occupy an unusual spot in the running year: the fall peak has passed, holiday travel is ramping up, and daylight is at its shortest. Runners here are mostly chasing a year-end goal or a final qualifier, not building toward a spring race. That shapes the field, the mood, and the logistics.
Geography matters sharply in December. Northern and inland courses can bring cold, wind, and unpredictable footing, while the Gulf Coast, Florida, and Hawaii offer warm and humid alternatives. Where you race shapes what you wear, how you pace, and whether travel planning around the holidays adds friction.
This is not a month for a casual first marathon. Shorter days mean more early-morning starts in the dark, holiday schedules compress recovery time, and the weather range from Honolulu to the mid-Atlantic is extreme. Come in with a goal, a plan, and logistics sorted well ahead of race week.
What the field actually runs
December Marathons, By the Numbers
4:43:39Median finish time
2:52:25Median winning time
133Median field size
14December marathons with published results
How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Oct 16, 2026.
When in December
The December Race Weekends
Marathons are not spread evenly across December. Here is how the calendar actually falls, weekend by weekend, which is the part worth knowing before you book a trip or plan a taper around one.
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The December marathons that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
December Marathons by State
Marathons by City in December
The Next Marathons in December
39 total Tue, Dec 1, 2026Santa Hustle Virtual N/A, ILFrom $110Details Thu, Dec 3, 2026Four Corners Quad Keyah Teec Nos Pos, AZFrom $130Details Sat, Dec 5, 2026Jacob Wells 3 Bridges Marathon Little Rock, ARFrom $120Details Sat, Dec 5, 2026Powerade Panama City Beach Marathon Panama City Beach, FLFrom $120Details Sat, Dec 5, 2026Rehoboth Seashore Marathon and Half Marathon Rehoboth Beach, DEFrom $195Details Sat, Dec 5, 2026Crooked Creek Ultra Trail Race Shepherdsville, KYFrom $105Details Sat, Dec 5, 2026Holiday 5K, 10K, 13.1M & 26.2M at Ocala, FL (49) Ocala, FLFrom $95Details Sat, Dec 5, 2026Brazos Bend 100 Needville, TXFrom $120Details Sat, Dec 5, 2026Holiday 5K, 10K, 13.1M & 26.2M at Naples, FL (49) Naples, FLFrom $95Details Sat, Dec 5, 2026Holiday 5K, 10K, 13.1M & 26.2M at Beaumont, TX (49) Beaumont, TXFrom $95Register Sat, Dec 5, 2026Prevail The Trail Jones, OKFrom $127Details Sun, Dec 6, 20262026 San Antonio Marathon San Antonio, TXFrom $199Details
Common Questions About Running a December Marathon
What should I wear for a December marathon in the US?
It depends entirely on where you race. Southern and coastal races can still feel warm and humid enough for shorts and a singlet. Northern and inland races may call for gloves, a hat, and a light layer at the start - one you can tie off and ditch once you warm up. Check the local forecast the week before and plan for conditions at 6 a.m., not noon.
Is December a realistic month to run a Boston qualifier?
It can be, but conditions have to cooperate. A cool, calm day in the South or Southwest gives you a genuine shot. Target a race with a flat profile, check historical weather patterns for that city, and have a realistic pace plan before you commit.
How far in advance should I start training for a December marathon?
A standard marathon build runs roughly sixteen to twenty weeks, which puts the start of serious training in late July or August. That means training through summer heat and shortening fall days before you arrive at race month. Runners who let a hot August derail their long runs often arrive at December undertrained, so protecting those summer miles matters.
Is it worth traveling to a December marathon?
For the right race, yes - but holiday travel adds real cost and complexity. Flights and hotels book up earlier than usual, and a weather delay or cancellation hits harder when family plans are nearby. Destination races in Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and Arizona offer warm weather as a genuine draw, which can make the trip feel worthwhile on its own.
When in December are most marathons held?
The busiest weekend is December 5 and December 6, with 13 of them, 9 of those on Saturday, December 5. Another 6 fall on a weekday, which is worth knowing if you are traveling for one.
What is a good Marathon time?
Across the 14 of these December marathons with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 4:43:39, and the median winning time was 2:52:25. So anything under 4:43:39 puts you in the faster half of a typical field. That is the middle of these RunSignup fields, walkers and charity entrants included, not a national average.
How big is a typical December Marathon field?
The median one finished 133 runners, across the 14 of these December marathons with published results from past editions. Most are far smaller than the big-city events people picture, which means less crowding at the start and a friendlier field, with a last recorded finisher at 6:51:35.
Which states have the most December marathons?
Florida has 11, Texas has 9, Arizona has 2, Hawaii has 2, Oklahoma has 2. If you are willing to travel, those are the states where a December weekend gives you the most to choose from.
Are there trail marathons in December?
Yes, 2 races around the United States get you off the pavement: 2 are trail races.