The Boston Marathon is one of the world’s most prestigious and challenging marathons. For many runners, simply participating in this historic race is a dream. However, entry isn’t just a matter of signing up. You need to qualify, and that means meeting specific time standards. If you’re wondering about “What Is The Time In Boston” to qualify for this iconic event, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know about Boston Marathon qualifying times for the upcoming races.
Qualifying Standards for the 2025 Boston Marathon
The qualification window for the 2025 Boston Marathon has already closed, with registration taking place in September 2024. To gain entry for the 2025 race, runners had to achieve qualifying times during the period from September 1, 2023, to September 13, 2024. The competition is fierce, and for the 2025 race, there was a “cut-off” time of 6 minutes and 51 seconds. This means runners not only needed to meet the standard but had to be at least 6 minutes and 51 seconds faster than their age and gender-based qualifying time to be accepted.
Here are the official qualifying times for the 2025 Boston Marathon:
| Age Group | MEN | WOMEN | NON-BINARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 3hrs 00min 00sec | 3hrs 30min 00sec | 3hrs 30min 00sec |
| 35-39 | 3hrs 05min 00sec | 3hrs 35min 00sec | 3hrs 35min 00sec |
| 40-44 | 3hrs 10min 00sec | 3hrs 40min 00sec | 3hrs 40min 00sec |
| 45-49 | 3hrs 20min 00sec | 3hrs 50min 00sec | 3hrs 50min 00sec |
| 50-54 | 3hrs 25min 00sec | 3hrs 55min 00sec | 3hrs 55min 00sec |
| 55-59 | 3hrs 35min 00sec | 4hrs 05min 00sec | 4hrs 05min 00sec |
| 60-64 | 3hrs 50min 00sec | 4hrs 20min 00sec | 4hrs 20min 00sec |
| 65-69 | 4hrs 05min 00sec | 4hrs 35min 00sec | 4hrs 35min 00sec |
| 70-74 | 4hrs 20min 00sec | 4hrs 50min 00sec | 4hrs 50min 00sec |
| 75-79 | 4hrs 35min 00sec | 5hrs 05min 00sec | 5hrs 05min 00sec |
| 80 and over | 4hrs 50min 00sec | 5hrs 20min 00sec | 5hrs 20min 00sec |
For the 2025 race, a staggering 36,393 applications were received from qualifiers, highlighting the immense popularity of the Boston Marathon. Due to field size limitations, only 24,069 qualified applicants were accepted, leaving 12,324 disappointed runners who met the qualifying standard but couldn’t secure a place. This underscores the importance of not just meeting the qualifying time, but beating it by a significant margin.
Aiming for 2026? Here are the Qualifying Times
If you’re setting your sights on the 2026 Boston Marathon, it’s never too early to start planning and training. The qualifying window for the 2026 race opened on September 1, 2024, and will remain open until registration closes in the fall of 2025. These qualifying times are based on your age on race day, April 20, 2026.
Here are the qualifying times you’ll need to aim for to participate in the 2026 Boston Marathon:
| Age Group | MEN | WOMEN | NON-BINARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2hrs 55min 00sec | 3hrs 25min 00sec | 3hrs 25min 00sec |
| 35-39 | 3hrs 00min 00sec | 3hrs 30min 00sec | 3hrs 30min 00sec |
| 40-44 | 3hrs 05min 00sec | 3hrs 35min 00sec | 3hrs 35min 00sec |
| 45-49 | 3hrs 15min 00sec | 3hrs 45min 00sec | 3hrs 45min 00sec |
| 50-54 | 3hrs 20min 00sec | 3hrs 50min 00sec | 3hrs 50min 00sec |
| 55-59 | 3hrs 30min 00sec | 4hrs 00min 00sec | 4hrs 00min 00sec |
| 60-64 | 3hrs 50min 00sec | 4hrs 20min 00sec | 4hrs 20min 00sec |
| 65-69 | 4hrs 05min 00sec | 4hrs 35min 00sec | 4hrs 35min 00sec |
| 70-74 | 4hrs 20min 00sec | 4hrs 50min 00sec | 4hrs 50min 00sec |
| 75-79 | 4hrs 35min 00sec | 5hrs 05min 00sec | 5hrs 05min 00sec |
| 80 and over | 4hrs 50min 00sec | 5hrs 20min 00sec | 5hrs 20min 00sec |
Notice that the qualifying times for the 2026 Boston Marathon are generally faster than those for 2025, particularly for younger age groups. This reflects the ongoing competitiveness of the race.
Understanding the Nuances of Boston Marathon Qualification
Simply running a marathon in under the qualifying time isn’t the only factor. Here are some important points to keep in mind:
- Net Time (Chip Time): The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) uses your net time, also known as chip time, for qualification. This is the time measured from when you cross the starting line to when you cross the finish line, not the gun time.
- No Guarantee of Entry: Meeting the qualifying standard only grants you the opportunity to apply. Due to the Boston Marathon’s popularity and field size limits, achieving a qualifying time doesn’t guarantee entry.
- Cut-Off Times: In recent years, the B.A.A. has implemented “cut-off” times. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the field size, runners with faster qualifying times within their age and gender group are given priority. As seen with the 2025 race, even meeting the standard might not be enough if you don’t beat it by the cut-off margin.
- Qualifying Window: Your qualifying marathon must be run within the specified qualifying window for each race year. Times run outside of these windows are not valid.
- Certified Marathons: Only certified full marathon courses are accepted for qualification. The B.A.A. accepts certifications from USATF, World Athletics/AIMS, or equivalent international bodies. It’s your responsibility to ensure the marathon you run for qualification is certified. Virtual marathons or indoor marathon times are not accepted.
Historical Cut-Off Times
Looking at past cut-off times can give you an idea of how competitive qualification can be. While there were years with no cut-off (2022 and 2023), in other years the cut-off has been significant.
| YEAR | FIELD SIZE | “CUT-OFF TIME”* | QUALIFIERS NOT ACCEPTED |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 27,000 | 1:14 | 3,228 |
| 2014 | 36,000 | 1:38 | 2,976 |
| 2015 | 30,000 | 1:02 | 1,947 |
| 2016 | 30,000 | 2:28 | 4,562 |
| 2017 | 30,000 | 2:09 | 2,957 |
| 2018 | 30,000 | 3:23 | 5,062 |
| 2019 | 30,000 | 4:52 | 7,384 |
| 2020 | 31,500 | 1:39 | 3,161 |
| 2021 | 20,000 | 7:47 | 9,215 |
| 2022 | 30,000 | 0:00 | 0 |
| 2023 | 30,000 | 0:00 | 0 |
| 2024 | 30,000 | 5:29 | 11,039 |
| 2025 | 30,000 | 6:51 | 12,324 |
*Cut-off time represents how much faster than the qualifying standard runners needed to be to be accepted.
This history shows that aiming to beat your qualifying time by several minutes is a wise strategy to increase your chances of acceptance.
Inclusivity for Non-Binary Athletes
The Boston Marathon is committed to inclusivity and has been expanding opportunities for non-binary athletes. While the B.A.A. is still gathering data to establish specific non-binary qualifying times, for the 2025 and 2026 races, they are using times inclusive of the existing men’s and women’s qualifying times. As data becomes available, these standards are expected to be updated to more accurately reflect non-binary athlete performance.
| Age Group | Non-Binary Time |
|---|---|
| 18-34 | 3hrs 25min 00sec |
| 35-39 | 3hrs 30min 00sec |
| 40-44 | 3hrs 35min 00sec |
| 45-49 | 3hrs 45min 00sec |
| 50-54 | 3hrs 50min 00sec |
| 55-59 | 4hrs 00min 00sec |
| 60-64 | 4hrs 20min 00sec |
| 65-69 | 4hrs 35min 00sec |
| 70-74 | 4hrs 50min 00sec |
| 75-79 | 5hrs 05min 00sec |
| 80 and over | 5hrs 20min 00sec |
Final Tips for Your Boston Marathon Qualification Journey
Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a significant achievement that requires dedication, training, and a strategic approach. Here are a few final tips:
- Train Smart: Follow a well-structured marathon training plan that is appropriate for your current fitness level and time goals.
- Choose a Certified Marathon Wisely: Research and select a certified marathon known for being relatively flat and fast to maximize your chances of achieving a qualifying time.
- Aim to Beat the Standard: Don’t just aim to meet the qualifying time; strive to beat it by several minutes to improve your chances of acceptance, especially given the historical cut-off times.
- Stay Updated: Keep an eye on the official Boston Marathon website (www.baa.org) for the most up-to-date information on qualifying times, registration dates, and any changes to the process.
The dream of running the Boston Marathon is within reach with hard work and the right preparation. Now that you know “what is the time in boston” to qualify, start planning your journey to the finish line!
