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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
Marathon Training Plan 20 Weeks
Conquer Your Marathon with a Customized 20-Week Training Program
Prepare to achieve your marathon goals with our 20-Week Marathon Training Plan, delivered through the TrainingPeaks platform. This personalized plan is designed to adapt to your individual fitness levels and training zones, ensuring an optimal path to marathon success.
Key Features:
- No TrainingPeaks Membership Required: Access your training plan without needing a paid TrainingPeaks subscription.
- Personalized Workouts: All workouts are tailored to your Heart Rate, Power, and Training Speed Zones based on your TrainingPeaks data.
- Device Compatibility: Seamlessly connect your workouts to devices like Garmin, Zwift, and TrainerRoad for real-time training guidance.
- Structured Progression: Carefully designed 20-week schedule, gradually building up your endurance, speed, and confidence.
- Flexible and Adaptive: Adjusts to your progress and personal schedule, ensuring a balanced approach to training.
Whether you're a first-time marathoner or a seasoned runner looking to set a new personal record, this plan provides the support and structure you need to cross the finish line strong.
Conquer Your Next Marathon in 20 Weeks
Customized plan with real-time workout tracking, expert pacing, and no premium app required.
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.