Qualifying for the Boston Marathon – What You Need To Know

Not just anyone can compete in the iconic Boston Marathon. In fact, runners must apply in hopes of being selected. For reference, 36,393 qualifying applications were received during the registration period for the 2025 race, per the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.). Of those 36,406 qualifying applicants, 24,069 applicants were accepted. This year's number of applicants set a new record. To have been named as a qualifier for the 2025 race, runners were expected to run six minutes and 51 seconds faster than their qualifying standard, which is broken down by age and gender. The 2025 standards are as follows, according to the B.A.A. For 2026, the standards have slightly faster finishing times. The qualifying window for the 130th Boston Marathon will open on Sept. 1, when athletes can begin applying. As the B.A.A. notes, simply meeting the qualifying requirements does not automatically give you a spot in the race. The organization explicitly states: Due to field size limitation, achieving one's qualifying sta