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Boston Marathon Qualifying Standards and Race Day Insights
Learn how to qualify for the Boston Marathon with a detailed guide on qualifying times, key races, and expert training tips.
Not sure where to start? Use our training calculators to determine your ideal pace and build your BQ strategy
Best Races to Qualify
Baystate Marathon (MA)
Flat, fast, local favorite; high percentage of Boston qualifiers every year. Little crowd support, but super efficient for PRs. (November)
CIM – California Int’l Marathon
Slight net downhill, consistently cool weather, deep field. Big PR and BQ vibes; the “secret” pro qualifier. (December)
Grandma’s Marathon (MN)
Point-to-point, very flat, often cool. Beautiful lakeshore scenery, well-organized, and known for fast times. (June)
Philadelphia Marathon (PA)
Urban, mostly flat, good crowd energy. Late fall race, often cool—great for chasing PRs and Boston spots. (November)
Houston Marathon (TX)
Pancake flat, early January, often fast conditions. Massive field, super organized—lots of elites and BQs every year. (January)
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (IN)
Flat, wide roads, November race with ideal temps. Under-the-radar, but a BQ factory in the Midwest. (November)
New York City Marathon (NY)
Iconic, huge crowds, tough course (bridges and hills). Harder to BQ due to congestion and undulating profile, but a bucket-list race. (November)
Chicago Marathon (IL)
Flat and fast, world major. Massive crowds, top-notch organization, big BQ potential. Can be warm some years, but often PR-friendly. (October)
Marine Corps Marathon (DC)
No qualifying standard, but very popular. Great scenery, military support, and solid logistics. Hilly, not the absolute fastest, but a big-league U.S. marathon. (October)
Used by BQ qualifiers in 2023–24-25
Plan de entrenamiento para maratón 20 semanas
Conquista tu maratón con un programa de entrenamiento personalizado de 20 semanas
Prepárese para alcanzar sus objetivos de maratón con nuestro plan de entrenamiento de maratón de 20 semanas , que se ofrece a través de la plataforma TrainingPeaks . Este plan personalizado está diseñado para adaptarse a sus niveles de condición física y zonas de entrenamiento individuales, lo que garantiza un camino óptimo hacia el éxito en la maratón.
Características principales:
- No se requiere membresía de TrainingPeaks : acceda a su plan de entrenamiento sin necesidad de una suscripción paga de TrainingPeaks.
- Entrenamientos personalizados : todos los entrenamientos se adaptan a tu frecuencia cardíaca , potencia y zonas de velocidad de entrenamiento según tus datos de TrainingPeaks.
- Compatibilidad de dispositivos : conecta sin problemas tus entrenamientos a dispositivos como Garmin , Zwift y TrainerRoad para obtener orientación sobre el entrenamiento en tiempo real.
- Progresión estructurada : programa de 20 semanas cuidadosamente diseñado que aumenta gradualmente su resistencia, velocidad y confianza.
- Flexible y adaptable : se ajusta a tu progreso y agenda personal, garantizando un enfoque equilibrado del entrenamiento.
Ya sea que seas un maratonista primerizo o un corredor experimentado que busca establecer un nuevo récord personal, este plan te brinda el apoyo y la estructura que necesitas para cruzar la línea de meta con fuerza.
FAQ
Yes—meeting the standard does not guarantee entry. The Boston Marathon fills slots based on the fastest times first. In recent years, athletes typically needed to run at least 3 to 5 minutes faster than their qualifying time to gain entry.
Qualifying times are valid if run within the designated window, usually starting about 18 months before the race. For Boston 2025, for example, you need to run a qualifying marathon between September 2023 and September 2024.
Flat, fast races with good weather and certified courses are ideal. Popular choices include the Baystate Marathon (MA), California International Marathon (CIM), Grandma’s Marathon (MN), and Erie Marathon (PA). Choose a course with consistent pacing support and a fast layout.