Qualify for the Boston Marathon

How do you get to the start line in Hopkinton? Here's what the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) requires, and what the 2027 race took, straight from the B.A.A.

2027 Boston Marathon Qualifying Standards

Standards are based on your age on the date of the 2027 Boston Marathon (April 19, 2027), and on your official net time (chip time).

AGE GROUP	MEN’S STANDARD	WOMEN’S STANDARD	NON-BINARY STANDARD
18-34	2:55:00	3:25:00	3:25:00
35-39	3:00:00	3:30:00	3:30:00
40-44	3:05:00	3:35:00	3:35:00
45-49	3:15:00	3:45:00	3:45:00
50-54	3:20:00	3:50:00	3:50:00
55-59	3:30:00	4:00:00	4:00:00
60-64	3:50:00	4:20:00	4:20:00
65-69	4:05:00	4:35:00	4:35:00
70-74	4:20:00	4:50:00	4:50:00
75-79	4:35:00	5:05:00	5:05:00
80 and older	4:50:00	5:20:00	5:20:00

Source: B.A.A., Qualify for the Boston Marathon

The 2027 cut-off: 5:17

Meeting your standard earns you the chance to apply, not a guaranteed entry. When more qualifiers apply than the field allows, the fastest in each age and gender group are accepted. For the 131st Boston Marathon, qualifiers needed to be 5 minutes, 17 seconds (5:17) or faster than the qualifying time for their age group and gender.

The B.A.A. accepted what it calls a record field of qualifiers into the 131st Boston Marathon.

The B.A.A. reports that the five most popular qualifying races for the 2027 field were the 2026 Boston Marathon, the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, the 2025 California International Marathon and the 2026 TCS London Marathon.

Source: B.A.A., Record Field of Qualifiers Accepted into the 131st Boston Marathon (September 29, 2026)

Boston Qualifier Selection

New for 2027, the B.A.A. added the Boston Qualifier Selection, a random selection for qualifiers whose times were not faster than the cut-off. Qualifiers who miss the cut-off are automatically eligible for it.

Source: B.A.A., Qualify for the Boston Marathon

What counts as a qualifying race

A full marathon on a course certified by USA Track & Field (USATF), the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) or a national governing body. To check, contact the event directly.
Run outdoors. Indoor, virtual, treadmill and time-trial marathons are not accepted.
You must be at least 18 on race day. All qualifying times are subject to review and verification.

Downhill adjustment

Starting with 2027 registration, courses with 1,500 to 2,999 feet of net downhill add 5:00 to your time, and 3,000 to 5,999 feet add 10:00. Courses of 6,000 feet or more don't count.

Source: B.A.A., Qualify for the Boston Marathon

Chasing 2028?

The qualifying window for the 2028 Boston Marathon began on September 19, 2026. Check the B.A.A. Qualify page for the current standards before you pick your race.

Source: B.A.A., Record Field of Qualifiers Accepted into the 131st Boston Marathon (September 29, 2026)

Factors to Consider in Selecting Your Qualifying Race

The right qualifying race is the one that's right for you. Start with the B.A.A.'s rules, then weigh the rest.

Does it count?

Certified course: USATF, AIMS or a national governing body. Check with the race.
Meets the other B.A.A. criteria: run outdoors, with transponder timing. A net downhill of 1,500 feet or more adds time to your result.