How to qualify for the Boston Marathon

By Henry Howard

When I started running one of my immediate goals was to qualify for the Boston Marathon. It took me quite a while to achieve that target but now I have multiple qualifiers under my belt and one finish at the historic marathon.

I have also had the honor to guide some of my athletes to achieve their own Boston qualifiers. For many runners, the question is how to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Here is a look at what is required to run the Boston Marathon.

The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) establishes qualifying time standards every year, based on gender and age. But achieving a qualifying time is no guarantee to be accepted into the race. 

First, you have to run a qualifying time, based on your age group and gender, on a BAA-approved course. Your age group is based on your age as of the race date, which is April 20, 2026. Afterward, you are eligible to apply to run in the Boston Marathon. While Boston is run in April, the qualifying window is roughly Labor Day to Labor Day. So if you run a qualifying time before the September cutoff, you can apply to be in the race the following April.

The qualifying window for the 2026 Boston Marathon opened on Sept. 1, 2024, and will run through the end of registration next fall (dates to be announced here).

Will my Boston Marathon qualifying time get me in the race?

That’s the question many qualifiers ask after submitting their application.

There are limits to how many people can run Boston. And the race also gives out entries to elite athletes, charity runners and sponsors. So only the fastest qualifiers will be able to get in with their times.

For the 2025 race, guaranteed entrants needed to run 6:51 faster than their qualifying time to gain entry. A total of 24,069 runners made the cutoff while 12,324 qualified applicants missed out. I encourage my athletes to aim for a marathon time of at least five minutes faster than their qualifying time, as long as their fitness is at that level. 

Can I run the Boston Marathon without qualifying? 

Yes, the easiest way is to sign up is as a charity runner. You’ll need to raise at least $5,000 for one of the qualifying philanthropic groups to earn a spot. That’s a great way to support a nonprofit you cherish while also fulfilling your goal to run Boston.

Best marathons to qualify for the Boston Marathon

There are hundreds of BAA qualifying marathons to choose from, some of which have a higher percentage of qualifiers than others. If you’re looking to set your fastest time, there are lots of options for flat courses, or even ones that are considered downhill.

Here’s a look at some of the best options for a Boston Marathon qualifier, one per month.

January: Houston Marathon

Where: Houston, Texas

2024 BQ: 17.5%

Outlook: This is a good option for those who live in warm weather places since the bulk of training will be in November and December. It will be warm in Houston in January, which might be challenging for someone training in the cold and snow. Houston is a pancake flat course that loops around the city, beginning and ending downtown.

February: Ventura Marathon

Where: Ventura, Calif.

2024 BQ: 26.5%

Outlook: This predominantly downhill race has a gradual descent. It offers scenic views as the course travels past rolling hills, farmland and coastal areas. Like Houston, the weather is also a consideration for runners who live in areas with active winters.

March: Albany Marathon

Where: Albany, Ga.

2024 BQ: 24.9%

Outlook: This race is usually held on the first weekend in March before the weather generally gets too hot and humid, which presents a good opportunity for those training in winter weather. The flat and fast course runs through two colleges, many neighborhoods and past several historic sites with plenty of spectators cheering you on.

April: Revel Mt. Charleston

Where: Las Vegas, Nev.

2024 BQ: 41.6%

Outlook: Revel races offer the Nevada marathon and three others that are Boston qualifiers. Each one is fast and offers an overall downhill course. (Another “downhill” race you will see on some lists is the Mesa Marathon, which is not part of the Revel series, held in February in Arizona. I ran Mesa one year and was surprised by a hill climb early in the race. Be sure to check the course profile, even for downhill races.) The Las Vegas Revel race is a good opportunity for a personal record and BQ as the race offers a downhill descent from the mountains to the city.

May: Bayshore Marathon

Where: Traverse City, Mich.

2024 BQ: 19.6%

Outlook: Traverse City is a beautiful, lake-side community. I have yet to run this race but it is described as a scenic out-and-back, mostly flat route. It’s also a good time of the year to run in Michigan, generally not too hot and not too cold. However, there is always the chance to have the race fall on a windy day. At least with an out-and-back, it won’t be blowing against you the whole time.

June: Grandma’s Marathon

Where: Duluth, Minn.

2024 BQ: 17.2%

Outlook: This is a very popular race that sells out very quickly, especially when compared to the others on this list. It’s the first of two races on this list that I have not done previously but are on my radar. The point-to-point course is a net downhill elevation with rolling hills.

July: Jack and Jill’s Downhill Marathon

Where: North Bend, Wash.

2024 BQ: 31%

Outlook: The name says it all: downhill. The race is known to be fast with a gentle downhill, and has both dirt and gravel road as its surface. Of all the races on this list, this one may be the most beneficial for runners who are experienced at trail running. Note that runners are required to have a headlamp or other lighting device as the course goes through a 2.4-mile dark tunnel. Another thing to note is that Jack and Jill’s hosts a marathon (and half) on both weekend days, typically the final weekend in July.

August: Santa Rosa Marathon

Where: Santa Rosa, Calif.

2024 BQ: 21.3%

Outlook: Much of the United States is hot and humid during August so Boston qualifiers are somewhat more limited than other months. However, the Santa Rosa Marathon offers a beautiful and fast course. With an overall gain of just 360 feet, this is a flat course for the marathon, which extends into west Sonoma County passing by scenic vineyards and even running through the barrel room of a vineyard.

September: Erie Marathon

Where: Erie, Pa.

2024 BQ: 39.2%

Outlook: The first of three in a row on this list that I have run previously. Always held on Labor Day weekend, this is a known Boston Marathon qualifier because it serves as a “last chance” for the next year’s race and because it is fast and flat. The course, which is mostly asphalt, has less than a 250 foot total change in elevation. Runners complete two loops at a park near Lake Erie. Logistics are very easy for this race, which I highly recommend for those seeking a qualifier. 

October: Chicago Marathon

Where: Chicago

2024 BQ: 19.2%

Outlook: If you love big city races and large, energetic and loud crowds, this is a race for you. Some data show that more Boston qualifying times come out of the Chicago Marathon each year than any other race in the U.S. The tricky part is to get into Chicago first, as it is challenging to do so. The extremely flat course offers lots of pace groups. It is a very well organized race and worth putting on your list. Just be aware that, like other major city marathons, there is a lot of standing around and waiting before the race begins.

November: Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

Where: Indianapolis, Ind. 

2024 BQ: 22.6%

Outlook: This is a special marathon for me. Not only was it my first one but I also qualified at it twice. It’s fast and flat, wrapping around the capital city of Indiana. The start and finish lines are downtown, making logistics simple. Another advantage is that the race day temperatures are generally good for a fast race, often in the 40s. Of course, that is not always the case as I’ve experienced unseasonable cold, strong winds and rainy conditions in the half-dozen times I’ve raced the Monumental.  

December: California International Marathon

Where: Sacramento, Calif.

2024 BQ: 31% 

Outlook: Last but not least is the California International Marathon, well known by its CIM abbreviation. The race is known for its gentle rolling hills and a flat, fast finish. It’s a net downhill and a good challenge for those who practice on the hills. This would be the other race on this list that I’d like to add to my collection of finishes — and Boston Marathon qualifiers.

Note to readers: If you like my advice and are looking for a running coach, I currently have some openings. Feel free to connect with me and we can set up a free, no-obligation consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Also, what other races would you recommend for Boston qualifiers? Add to the comments where this is posted on social media or send me your thoughts.