World’s Fastest Marathons – January 2026 Rankings
Fastest marathons in January 2026, ranked by verified sub-3 finisher data. See which races delivered and view every profiled event. Part of the Sub-3 World Marathon Rankings.
January sits early in the marathon year, with most races shaped by seasonal and regional conditions rather than calendar prominence. In parts of Asia and the Middle East, January often offers the most runnable weather of the year, while in North America and Europe only a small number of established road marathons are staged. The result is a month defined less by volume than by a handful of races that reliably attract runners already in strong training shape.
The January 2026 results reflect that pattern. Several familiar events again produced deep sub-3 fields and competitive winning times, confirming their status as early-season reference points. While the leading races remain broadly consistent year on year, shifts within the top ten point to changes in field depth and participation rather than isolated elite performances.
This page ranks the fastest marathons of January 2026 using verified sub-3 finisher data. Rankings are based on a consistent 45:45:10 framework, weighting the proportion of sub-3 finishers, the total number of sub-3s, and the fastest winning time. Only open-entry marathons with publicly reported results are included.
Top 10 Fastest Marathons – January 2026
🥇 Houston Marathon
Houston, United States – January 11th 2026
The Houston Marathon once again stands out as January’s fastest and deepest race. The flat, looped course through Houston’s wide streets continues to deliver ideal conditions for fast running, supported by strong organisation and a highly competitive field. The 2026 edition recorded an exceptionally high sub-3 count alongside a strong sub-3 percentage, underlining both scale and quality. With a winning time of 2:05:45, Houston also produced the fastest finish of any January marathon, reinforcing its status as the benchmark race for serious runners chasing elite-level performances.
→ View full profile: Houston Marathon
🥈 Marathon International Marrakech
Marrakech, Morocco – January 25th 2026
Marrakech delivered one of the most competitive January fields, combining a high sub-3 count with the highest sub-3 percentage of the month. The flat route through palm-lined boulevards and the historic centre continues to reward efficient pacing in cool, dry North African conditions. A winning time of 2:07:34 placed it firmly among the fastest elite performances of January. With a mid-sized field but exceptional depth at the front, Marrakech remains a standout option for runners prioritising time over scale.
→ View full profile: Marathon International Marrakech
🥉 Hong Kong Marathon
Hong Kong – January 18th 2026
The Hong Kong Marathon combined one of the largest fields of the month with a substantial sub-3 count, reflecting its growing depth among competitive runners. Despite its technical urban course and variable conditions, the race produced a strong winning time of 2:09:39. While the sub-3 percentage was lower than the very top races, the absolute depth of fast finishers secured Hong Kong a place among January’s elite-performing marathons.
→ View full profile: Hong Kong Marathon
4️⃣ Khon Kaen International Marathon
Khon Kaen, Thailand – January 10th 2026
Khon Kaen continued its reputation as one of Asia’s most competitive January marathons. The race recorded a solid sub-3 percentage relative to field size and a respectable sub-3 count. A winning time of 2:18:10 reflects a strong standard at the front, particularly given the warm conditions and gently undulating terrain. The event continues to attract committed club runners seeking a serious competitive test early in the year.
→ View full profile: Khon Kaen International Marathon
5️⃣ Louisiana Marathon
Louisiana, United States – January 18th 2026
The Louisiana Marathon delivered a balanced performance, with a moderate field producing a healthy sub-3 count and a solid sub-3 percentage. The winning time of 2:28:49 reflects competitive conditions, and the race continues to build credibility among serious amateur runners in the American South. Its measured scale and reliable organisation make it a consistent January performer.
→ View full profile: Louisiana Marathon
6️⃣ Taipei Charity Marathon
Taipei, Taiwan – January 11th 2026
Held in the heart of Taiwan’s capital, the Taipei Charity Marathon drew a large field and produced a moderate sub-3 count. The winning time of 2:30:10 reflects a competitive front end, supported by a flat urban course. While not yet widely known internationally, Taipei continues to offer a well-executed January race for regional elites and travelling runners alike.
→ View full profile: Taipei Charity Marathon
7️⃣ HCMC Marathon
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – January 11th 2026
The HCMC Marathon attracted a mid-sized field and delivered a winning time of 2:25:45. While the sub-3 count was modest, the race continues to develop its competitive credentials as running participation grows in Vietnam. Early starts and flat roads help mitigate heat and humidity, keeping the course fair despite challenging conditions.
→ View full profile: HCMC Marathon
8️⃣ Carlsbad Marathon
Carlsbad, United States – January 18th 2026
Known for its scenic coastal route, the Carlsbad Marathon produced a smaller sub-3 count and a winning time of 2:36:47. The course is not designed for mass fast times, but cooler winter conditions and strong local participation ensure a respectable competitive standard at the front of the race.
→ View full profile: Carlsbad Marathon
9️⃣ Buriram Marathon
Buriram, Thailand – January 24th 2026
The Buriram Marathon drew a large field but recorded a low sub-3 percentage, reflecting the challenging climatic conditions typical of the region. Despite this, the race produced a winning time of 2:21:14 and continues to attract growing participation. Its scale and regional importance secure its place among January’s notable events.
→ View full profile: Buriram Marathon
🔟 Walt Disney World Marathon
Bay Lake, United States – January 11th 2026
The Walt Disney World Marathon once again featured one of the largest fields of the month, but with a very low sub-3 percentage and a winning time of 2:29:37, it remains primarily a mass-participation event rather than a sub-3 target race. Its unique setting and global appeal ensure continued prominence, even if competitive depth is limited.
→ View full profile: Walt Disney World Marathon
January 2026 Rankings Table
| # | Marathon | Country | % Sub-3s | # Sub-3s | Total Runners | Winning Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston Marathon | USA | 5-10% | 500-1,000 | 3-10k | 02:05:45 |
| 2 | Marathon International Marrakech | Morocco | 5-10% | 100-500 | 1-3k | 02:07:34 |
| 3 | Hong Kong Marathon | Hong Kong | 2-5% | 100-500 | 10-20k | 02:09:39 |
| 4 | Khon Kaen International Marathon | Thailand | 2-5% | 50-100 | 1-3k | 02:18:10 |
| 5 | Louisiana Marathon | USA | 2-5% | 50-100 | 1-3k | 02:28:49 |
| 6 | Taipei Charity Marathon | Taiwan | 2-5% | 50-100 | 3-10k | 02:30:10 |
| 7 | HCMC Marathon | Vietnam | 1-2% | 10-50 | 1-3k | 02:25:45 |
| 8 | Carlsbad Marathon | United States | 1-2% | 10-50 | 1-3k | 02:36:47 |
| 9 | Buriram Marathon | Thailand | 0.5-1% | 50-100 | 3-10k | 02:21:14 |
| 10 | Walt Disney World Marathon | USA | <0.5% | 10-50 | 10-20k | 02:29:37 |
| 11 | Cebu Marathon | Philippines | <0.5% | 10-50 | 3-10k | 02:30:53 |
| 12 | Chombueng Marathon | Thailand | 0.5-1% | 10-50 | 1-3k | 02:47:36 |
| 13 | Miami Marathon | USA | <0.5% | 10-50 | 1-3k | 02:49:16 |
| 14 | TwinCity Marathon | Malaysia | <0.5% | <10 | 3-10k | 02:41:41 |
About These Rankings
These rankings are based on verified results from January 2026 and scored using Sub-3’s 45:45:10 system – 45% for the proportion of sub-3 finishers, 45% for the total number of sub-3s, and 10% for the fastest winning time. Read more about our approach on the Rankings Methodology page.
Missing a Marathon?
Know a road marathon with 1,000+ finishers from January 2026 that isn’t listed here? Get in touch. If your race meets our inclusion criteria, we’ll do our best to add it in future editions.