Boston Marathon Registration opens today, Monday, September 14, 2026, at 10:00am ET for the 131st Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America The iconic race will return on Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 19, 2027.
Qualified runners have until Friday, September 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET to submit their applications via the B.A.A. Athletes’ Village platform. Registration is not first-come, first-served, so every application submitted during the window receives equal consideration.
Here is everything you need to know about BQ standards, course adjustments, and new selection mechanics for 2027.
2027 Boston Marathon Qualifying Standards (BQ Times)
Qualifying times are based on your age on race day (April 19, 2027) and must be official net (chip) times achieved at a certified marathon.
Men’s Standards
- 18–34: 2:55:00
- 35–39: 3:00:00
- 40–44: 3:05:00
- 45–49: 3:15:00
- 50–54: 3:20:00
- 55–59: 3:30:00
- 60–64: 3:50:00
- 65–69: 4:05:00
- 70–74: 4:20:00
- 75–79: 4:35:00
- 80+: 4:50:00
Women’s Standards
- 18–34: 3:25:00
- 35–39: 3:30:00
- 40–44: 3:35:00
- 45–49: 3:45:00
- 50–54: 3:50:00
- 55–59: 4:00:00
- 60–64: 4:20:00
- 65–69: 4:35:00
- 70–74: 4:50:00
- 75–79: 5:05:00
- 80+: 5:20:00
Non-Binary Standards
- 18–34: 3:25:00
- 35–39: 3:30:00
- 40–44: 3:35:00
- 45–49: 3:45:00
- 50–54: 3:50:00
- 55–59: 4:00:00
- 60–64: 4:20:00
- 65–69: 4:35:00
- 70–74: 4:50:00
- 75–79: 5:05:00
- 80+: 5:20:00
Course Criteria: Must be certified by USATF, AIMS, or an equivalent national governing body. Indoor marathons, virtual events, treadmill runs, and time trials are not accepted.
Hitting your BQ standard gets you in the door to apply, but field size caps mean it doesn’t guarantee a bib. Following the application deadline, the B.A.A. ranks all verified runners based on how far under their standard they ran. The fastest qualifiers fill the field first, establishing the race’s official “cut-off” time.
Major Changes for 2027: Selection Pools & Downhill Penalties
Qualifying Window: September 13, 2025 – September 18, 2026 (closing at 5:00 p.m. ET).
However, two critical updates apply to the 2027 registration cycle:
1. The Boston Qualifier Selection (Random Draw)
- For 2027, the B.A.A. has introduced a random selection pool.
- Approximately 1,000 qualifiers who achieved an official BQ time but fell short of the competitive cut-off will be randomly selected for entry.
2. Steep Net-Downhill Course Adjustments
- 1,500 to 2,999 ft net drop: Adds +5:00 minutes to your submitted time.
- 3,000 to 5,999 ft net drop: Adds +10:00 minutes to your submitted time.
- 6,000 ft or greater net drop: Course times are entirely disqualified for Boston entry.
Logistics & Next Steps
- Entry Fee: $270 USD for accepted qualifiers (processed only upon acceptance). Option to purchase registration insurance at checkout.
- Notifications: All applicants will receive acceptance or non-acceptance status by early October.
- 2028 Window: The qualifying window for the 132nd Boston Marathon (2028) opens Saturday, September 19, 2026—the day after 2027 registration closes.
About the Event The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series alongside Tokyo, London, Cape Town, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.
