Boston Marathon qualifying times for 2028
By age group, for men, women and non‑binary athletes.
Official standardsChecked Official page
For 2027, qualifiers needed to be 5:17 under their standard. Since 2012, cut-offs have run from 0:00 (2022 and 2023) to 7:47 (2021, reduced field).
All numbers16 rows
Cut-off: how far under their standard accepted qualifiers had to be, with the field and the qualifiers not accepted, as announced by the B.A.A.
| Race year | Cut-off | Field | Not accepted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Plus about 1,000 qualifiers drawn at random | 5:17 | 30,000 | 8,019 |
| 2026 | 4:34 | 30,000 | 8,887 |
| 2025 | 6:51 | 30,000 | 12,324 |
| 2024 | 5:29 | 30,000 | 11,039 |
| 2023 | 0:00 | 30,000 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0:00 | 30,000 | 0 |
| 2021 Reduced field | 7:47 | 20,000 | 9,215 |
| 2020 Race later held virtually | 1:39 | 31,500 | 3,161 |
| 2019 | 4:52 | 30,000 | 7,248 |
| 2018 | 3:23 | 30,000 | 5,062 |
| 2017 | 2:09 | 30,000 | 2,957 |
| 2016 | 2:28 | 30,000 | 4,562 |
| 2015 | 1:02 | 30,000 | 1,947 |
| 2014 | 1:38 | 36,000 | 2,976 |
| 2013 | No cut-off on record | ||
| 2012 | 1:14 | 27,000 | 3,228 |
Past cut-offs are not a forecast.
Qualifying standards
Check a time| Age | Men | Women, non-binary |
|---|---|---|
| 18–34 | 2:55:006:40/mi | 3:25:007:49/mi |
| 35–39 | 3:00:006:52/mi | 3:30:008:01/mi |
| 40–44 | 3:05:007:03/mi | 3:35:008:12/mi |
| 45–49 | 3:15:007:26/mi | 3:45:008:35/mi |
| 50–54 | 3:20:007:38/mi | 3:50:008:46/mi |
| 55–59 | 3:30:008:01/mi | 4:00:009:09/mi |
| 60–64 | 3:50:008:46/mi | 4:20:009:55/mi |
| 65–69 | 4:05:009:21/mi | 4:35:0010:29/mi |
| 70–74 | 4:20:009:55/mi | 4:50:0011:04/mi |
| 75–79 | 4:35:0010:29/mi | 5:05:0011:38/mi |
| 80+ | 4:50:0011:04/mi | 5:20:0012:12/mi |
Non-binary standards equal the women’s. A non-binary time must come from a race that offered the category, unless it offered none.
- Age used
- Age on race day
- April 17, 2028
- Window
- September 19, 2026 – end not yet dated
- Time rule
- At or under the standard (assumed; not stated by the race)
Meeting the standard is not entry by itself
Entry, the window, the age group and every other rule
Entry
Meeting the standard lets you apply. Acceptance depends on the cut-off (and, for 2027, a random selection of about 1,000 qualifiers who missed it).
Applications
Registration week for the 2028 race is in September 2027, its dates announced after the 2027 race. Accepted runners are those fastest relative to their standard.
Qualifying window
Times from September 19, 2026 through the end of registration week in September 2027 count for the 2028 race.
Age group
Your age on race day, April 17, 2028.
Time
At or under the standard (assumed; not stated by the race).
Other rules
- Race date April 17, 2028. The qualifying window ends with registration week in September 2027, which is not yet dated.
- Net (chip) time on a certified course. No virtual, indoor, treadmill or time-trial marathons.
- From 2027 registration, courses with a net drop of 1,500–2,999 ft (457.2–914.1 m) add 5:00, 3,000–5,999 ft (914.2–1,828.5 m) add 10:00, and 6,000 ft (1,828.6 m) or more are not accepted.
- B.A.A. statements differ on how long the downhill index lasts: the June 2025 rule says the indexes will be in place for at least the next two years; the September 2026 registration update says they are subject to change ahead of the 2028 registration period.