Best Marathons in Canada 2026 & 2027: Top Races by Goal

Canada's best marathons by goal: Toronto Waterfront fastest and largest, Niagara most scenic, Mississauga the early-season BQ. 11 certified races.

If you want one answer: the Toronto Waterfront Marathon is the best marathon in Canada for most runners. It is the country's largest and fastest race, a World Athletics Elite Label event with a flat point-to-point course along Lake Ontario, 7,538 full-marathon finishers (a Canadian record), and it hosts the Canadian championship. But the right race depends on your goal. For a scenic destination run, BMO Vancouver traces the Stanley Park seawall past ocean and the North Shore mountains, while Niagara Falls finishes right beside the falls along the Niagara River Parkway. For an early-season Boston qualifier, Mississauga is a fast, net-downhill course finishing on Lake Ontario. History buffs run Calgary, Canada's longest-running marathon, first held in 1963. The prairie classics in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Edmonton offer flat, low-competition courses ideal for a quiet PB. All 11 races below are AIMS / Athletics Canada certified and Boston-qualifying-eligible. See the full lineup on the Canada marathon hub.

How We Selected These Marathons

  • AIMS / Athletics Canada certified and Boston-qualifying-eligible
  • Course profile: flat or net-downhill for a PB, rolling for scenery
  • Scenery and destination appeal (waterfront, mountains, falls)
  • Field size and atmosphere (big-race energy vs quiet prairie)
  • Season fit: spring, late summer, or fall BQ window
  • Entry access: open registration vs sold-out flagship events

Our Top Picks

# Race DateField SizeElevationCutoffBQ Course
1 Toronto Waterfront Marathon October 18, 20267,53840 m6hYes
2 Ottawa Marathon May 30, 20275,000200 m7hYes
3 Vancouver Marathon May 2, 20276,886250 m6hYes
4 Victoria Marathon October 11, 20262,20080 m6.5hYes
5 Montreal Marathon October 11, 20263,700172 m6hYes
6 Calgary Marathon May 24, 20261,600133 m6.5hYes
7 Niagara Falls Marathon October 25, 202694660 m6.75hYes
8 Mississauga Marathon April 25, 2027600191 m6hYes
9 Edmonton Marathon August 16, 20261,150153 mNo limitYes
10 Manitoba Marathon June 21, 20268408 m6hYes
Show all 11 races
# Race DateField SizeElevationCutoffBQ Course
11 Saskatchewan Marathon May 31, 2026235212 m6hYes

Built from official course data for 349 races · as of July 14, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best marathon in Canada overall?

The Toronto Waterfront Marathon is the best overall pick for most runners. It is Canada's largest and fastest marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label race with 7,538 full-marathon finishers (a Canadian record), a flat point-to-point course along Lake Ontario, and it hosts the Canadian championship. If your goal is scenery or an easier entry, a different race may suit you better.

Which Canadian marathon is fastest and flattest for a PB or Boston qualifier?

Toronto Waterfront is the fastest and flattest big race, ideal for a personal best. For an early-season Boston qualifier, Mississauga in late April is a fast, net-downhill course (within World Athletics drop limits) finishing on Lake Ontario. Ottawa and the flat prairie races in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Edmonton are also strong PB options. Check your target with our Boston qualifying calculator and pace calculator.

Which is the most scenic marathon in Canada?

BMO Vancouver is the scenic standout, running the Stanley Park seawall past the ocean and the North Shore mountains. Niagara Falls finishes right beside the falls along the Niagara River Parkway, and Royal Victoria offers a Vancouver Island harbour course on Thanksgiving weekend. All three are popular destination races.

What is the biggest marathon in Canada?

Toronto Waterfront is the biggest, with 7,538 full-marathon finishers, a Canadian record. Ottawa hosts one of Canada's largest race weekends in late May, and Marathon de Montreal is the largest race in Quebec. If you want big-crowd energy and a deep field, Toronto is the clear choice.

When is Canadian marathon season?

There are two windows. Spring runs from late April through June: Mississauga, BMO Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Edmonton fills the late-summer slot in August. The fall season covers Toronto Waterfront, Royal Victoria, Marathon de Montreal and Niagara Falls from late September through October, the prime Boston-qualifying window.

Do international runners need a visa or eTA to run a marathon in Canada?

Most visa-exempt visitors flying to Canada need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), applied for online before departure. Some nationalities require a visitor visa instead. A Canadian eTA is separate from the US ESTA and does not cover entry to the United States. Check your nationality's requirement on the official Government of Canada site well before race day. Registration for these races is in English.

Which Canadian marathon is easiest to get into?

The prairie races are the easiest entries with the lowest competition: Calgary, Manitoba in Winnipeg, Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, and Edmonton typically have open registration. Note that the 2026 Marathon de Montreal full marathon is sold out, so plan ahead for the more popular fall races.

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