Boston Marathon Qualifying Times
The current BQ standards by age group, what a "buffer" is, and where to chase your qualifier. Updated for the 2027 registration cycle.
| Age group | Men | Women / Nonbinary |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 |
| 35-39 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 40-44 | 3:05:00 | 3:35:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:15:00 | 3:45:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:30:00 | 4:00:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:50:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 65-69 | 4:05:00 | 4:35:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:20:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 75-79 | 4:35:00 | 5:05:00 |
| 80+ | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
Age is your age on race day of the Boston Marathon you are applying for. Times must come from a certified marathon inside the qualifying window. Standards shown are the ones the BAA tightened for the 2026 race; always confirm the current cycle on baa.org before you plan a season around them.
The buffer problem
Running your exact BQ time usually is not enough. When more qualifiers apply than the field holds, the BAA accepts the fastest first, so recent cut-offs have required beating your standard by several minutes. Treat your BQ as the entry ticket to the lottery, and your buffer as the thing that actually gets you in. Five minutes under is a good target.
Where to run your BQ
Flat, cool, big-field races produce the most qualifiers. Browse fall marathons for the classic September and October window, or hunt by state: Ohio, Illinois, California, Texas, or any other state.
Once you have the time
Registration happens in a one-week window each September. The full timeline, plus entry paths for every other major, lives in our Getting In guide, and Lottery Watch shows what is open right now.