The Professional Race.
The Marathon Project Professional Race is one of the fastest races in the United States. In just two editions of the event, 23 men have broken 2:12:00 and 14 women have broken 2:30:00. The course records belong to Sara Hall (2:20:32) and Martin Hehir (2:08:59).
PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES RECEIVE:
Flat, fast, criterium-style course (same as 2020 and 2025)
Great weather (average high of 68 and low of 45)
Pace groups
Personal fluids
Indoor warmup area
Last minute bag drop-off
Marathon Project swag
2026 Prize Purse to be announced no later than July 1, 2026.
Scroll down for registration info.
UPDATE: The Marathon Project Professional Race will now take place in conjunction with the Gold Wave on Saturday, December 12, 2026. We will accept up to 400 total participants between both races so sign up soon!
PROFESSIONAL RACE ENTRY FEE:
$200
UPDATED ENTRY STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL RACE PRICING AS OF APRIL 2026:
Athletes who have run under the 2025 Gold Race winning times 2:19:44 (men) or 2:42:43 (women) after January 1, 2022 may register at any time for the professional race fee of $200. The following marks at shorter distances will also meet the professional race fee standards:
Half Marathon: 1:07:00 (M) 1:18:00 (W)
10,000m or 10k: 31:00 (M) 36:00 (W)
5,000m or 5k: 14:30 (M) or 17:00 (W)
You will be asked to pay the additional race fee if you sign up for the pro race and have not met any of the above standards. The Marathon Project also reserves the right to delete your registration if you do not show proof of having met the standards.
Athletes who have run above these standards are encouraged to register for the Gold Wave.
COMP ENTRIES - All entrants who have run under 2:12:00 (men) or under 2:30:00 (women) since January 1, 2022 will receive a complimentary entry (if accepted). Additional comp entries up to race organizer discretion. All other entrants must pay the professional race entry fee.
Athletes who have met the comped entry standards should email Ben Rosario at ben@themarathonproject.com to apply for the race.
WORLD CLASS ATHLETE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
To athlete representatives working with world-class athletes (sub 2:09:00 men and/or sub 2:25:00 women), please contact Ben Rosario at ben@themarathonproject.com or Katie Sutton at katie@themarathonproject.com for more information. We aim to finalize our fields by November 1, 2026 in order to allow for proper race promotion and promotion of your athletes.
The Marathon Project 2026 Professional Race Refund and Deferral Policy: The Marathon Project does not grant refunds. Instead, we offer a graduated deferral policy. Anyone who is already entered and accepted into the race, but can no longer compete for any reason can defer their entry in full to The Marathon Project 2027 by March 31, 2026. Deferrals between April 1 and June 30, 2026 will require an additional $50 in 2027. Deferrals between July 1 and September 30, 2026 will require an additional $100 in 2027. We will not be able to accept deferrals as of October 1, 2026.