Is May a good month for a Marathon?
May sits in the middle of the year for the Marathon, carrying 33 against 97 in October and 10 in September. Enough to choose from, and easier to get into than the races at the peak of the season.
Race calendar · May 2027
May 2027 Marathon Races in the United States
33 Marathon races across the US in May 2027, sorted by date. Which weekends are busiest, what the fields actually run, entry fees, and where each one starts.
33 Marathon races in May 2027
What the field actually runs
May Marathon Races, By the Numbers
4:25:09Median finish time
2:46:22Median winning time
235Median field size
16May Marathon races 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 Sep 22, 2026.
When in May
The May Race Weekends
Marathon races do not spread evenly across May. The busiest weekend is May 1 and May 2, with 12 of them. Another 2 fall on a weekday.
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The May Marathon races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
May Marathon Races by State
May Marathon Races by City
Soonest Marathon Races in May
33 total Sat, May 1, 2027IronHorse - USATF Certified & Sanctioned Riceville, IAFrom $15Details Sat, May 1, 2027Great Allegheny Ohiopyle Marathon Race Festival: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K Ohiopyle, PAFrom $40Details Sat, May 1, 2027The Hoag OC Marathon Running Festival Costa Mesa, CAFrom $45Details Sat, May 1, 2027The Bluffs Trail Runs Eminence, MOFrom $15Details Sat, May 1, 2027Tacoma City Marathon / Half / Ghost / 10K / 5K / 1K Tacoma, WAFrom $50Details Sat, May 1, 2027Sunshine Double Winter Park, FLFrom $30Details Sat, May 1, 2027Garmin Marathon Durham Durham, NCFrom $40Details Sun, May 2, 2027Chicagoland Spring Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K Schaumburg, ILFrom $40Details Sun, May 2, 2027York Marathon and Half Marathon York, PARegistration opens Oct 9From $50Details Sun, May 2, 20272027 Avenue of the Giants Marathon Arcata, CAFrom $60Details Sun, May 2, 2027The Colorado Marathon Fort Collins, COFrom $45Details Sun, May 2, 2027Providence Rhode Races East Providence, RIFrom $25Details
Common Questions About Running a May Marathon
When in May are most Marathon races held?
The busiest weekend is May 1 and May 2, with 12 Marathon races on those two days, and the single busiest day is Saturday, May 1 with 7. Another 2 fall on a weekday, which is worth knowing if you are traveling for one.
When should I sign up for a May Marathon?
As early as you can. 25 of these May Marathon races already have a price increase on the calendar, and 29 are open for entry right now. Another 4 have published an opening date and have not opened yet.
How much does a May Marathon cost to enter?
The typical entry is $40, with paid entries running from $10 up to $150. Entry fees climb as race day gets closer, so the same race is usually cheapest the week it opens.
What is a good Marathon time?
Across the 16 of these May Marathon races with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 4:25:09, and the median winning time was 2:46:22. So anything under 4:25:09 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 May Marathon field?
The median one finished 235 runners, across the 16 of these May Marathon races 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 6:57:35.
Which states have the most May Marathon races?
California has 4, Texas has 3, Florida has 2, Idaho has 2, Illinois has 2. If you are willing to travel, those are the states where a May weekend gives you the most to choose from.
Are there trail Marathon races in May?
Yes, 4 races around the United States get you off the pavement: 3 are trail races, and 1 mixes road and trail. Surfaces are not always published, so it is worth checking a specific race before you register.
Marathon Races in Other Months
April and June sit either side of May, which is where most people look next when a date does not fit.