Marathons are back this fall, and no matter which race you choose, CARA’s Summer Marathon Training program will provide you the support, community, and accountability you need to successfully reach your finish line!
It’s not too late to secure your spot in the 2021 Bank of America Chicago Marathon through the charity program. CARA partners with nearly 50 different organizations, and has a charity team of its own with Team CARA ‘Go Run.
With all the shifts in race dates this year, the late fall will provide you many options if you’re looking to target a different race this year. We’ve compiled a list of fall marathons to help you find your next fall race. Choose yours and set yourself up for success by committing to train by registering for CARA Training. Alternate training plans are available by request if your fall marathon does not fall on our plan’s target date.
If you have marathon goals, there is no better time than this fall to make them a reality!
October
Date: Sunday, October 3, 2021
City: Portland, ME
Registration Info: Registration open at mainemarathon.com.
Details: A BQ out-and-back course! Course highlights include the Portland skyline, the Back Cove, and Casco Bay.
Date: Sunday, October 3, 2021
City: Grafton to Milwaukee, WI
Registration Info: Registration open until capacity filled or until October 1, 2021, whichever comes first.
Details: 2021 marks the 40-year anniversary of this marathon! This race offers a flat, point-to-point course that finishes along Milwaukee’s scenic lakefront.
Date: Sunday, October 3, 2021
City: Oklahoma City OK
Registration Info: Registration open at okcmarathon.com.
Details: A single loop BQ course! This race starts at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and winds through the capitol and scenic neighborhoods.
Date: Sunday, October 3, 2021
City: Portland, OR
Registration Info: Registration open at portlandmarathon.com/home.
Details: With a downtown start, this course includes four bridge crossings and a tour through Portland’s iconic landmarks and neighborhoods (like the Moda Center, home of the Portland Trail Blazers!).
Date: Sunday, October 3, 2021
City: Minneapolis to St. Paul, MN
Registration Info: SOLD OUT. From the webpage, “Enter the Marathon Field Expansion Pool. It qualifies you for a random marathon entry drawing, IF conditions allow TCM to expand the field of the 2021 marathon.”
Details: Getting the most of Minnesota’s fall scenery, this marathon runs point-to-point from Minneapolis to St. Paul.
Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021
City: Baltimore, MD
Registration Info: Registration open at thebaltimoremarathon.com.
Details: The Baltimore Marathon celebrates its 20th anniversary this year! The race course passes through scenic landmarks like the Inner Harbor waterfront area, Federal Hill and Fells Point.
Date: Sunday, October 10, 2021
City: Wichita, KS
Registration Info: Registration open at wichitasports.com/prairie-fire-marathon.
Details: A double-loop BQ course! Race through several iconic Wichita districts and finish along the Arkansas River.
Date: Saturday, October 16, 2021
City: Kansas City, MO
Registration Info: Registration open at sportkc.org/marathon.
Details: New course this year! As Kansas City’s largest race, this event takes runners through landmarks like the World War I Museum & Memorial, the Country Club Plaza, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Waldo, Westport, and 18th & Vine.
Date: Sunday, October 17, 2021
City: Detroit, MI
Registration Info: Registration open at freepmarathon.com/events/marathon.
Details: With an international course, the Detroit Marathon crosses through both downtown Detroit and Windsor, Ontario!
Date: Sunday, October 17, 2021
City: Des Moines, IA
Registration Info: Registration open at desmoinesmarathon.com.
Details: Throughout the course, runners can take in the scenes of Des Moines’ quaint neighborhoods, university campuses, city parks, and skylines, with a finish through downtown.
Date: Sunday, October 17, 2021
City: Grand Rapids, MI
Registration Info: Registration open at grandrapidsmarathon.com.
Details: Situated in Downtown Grand Rapids, runners will enjoy the best of both worlds with a course that has sections in both the downtown, as well as forest and lake areas.
Date: Sunday, October 17, 2021
City: Columbus, OH
Registration Info: Registration paused; updates can be found at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon website columbusmarathon.com.
Details: This marathon benefiting the Nationwide Children’s Hospital runs a scenic course with highlights including the Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin Park Conservatory, The Ohio State University campus, and the Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Date: Sunday, October 31, 2021
City: Cincinnati, OH
Registration Info: Open to the general public at flyingpigmarathon.com beginning May 10, 2021.
Details: “Fly” through the streets of Cincinnati on this single-loop course!
Date: Sunday, October 31, 2021
City: Arlington, VA.
Registration Info: Open at marinemarathon.com/events/marathon/registration. From the website, “Runners must first be registered for the virtual event to have the first option to participate in any event that is ultimately approved to host a live, in-person version.”
Details: Nicknamed “The People’s Marathon,” this marathon has been dubbed one of the best for beginners.
Date: TBD October 2021
City: Milwaukee, WI
Registration Info: Open at runmilwaukee.com/
Details: A scenic race through Milwaukee’s downtown! Highlights from the course include the Lake Michigan Waterfront, Lake Park, Washington Park, Marquette University and Wisconsin Avenue.
November
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021
City: Indianapolis, IN.
Registration Info: Open at monumentalmarathon.com/.
Details: One of the 15 largest marathons in the U.S., the Indy Monumental course takes runners through historic neighborhoods and landmarks, including the State Capitol, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, and the Indiana War Memorial.
Date: Sunday, November 7, 2021
City: New York City, NY
Registration Info: The entry claim window for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon will begin in early June.
Details: An Abbott World Marathon Majors race, the NYC Marathon is highly regarded as one of the world's best road races.