Do you dream of qualifying for and running in the prestigious Boston Marathon in 2025? I’m here to guide you on your journey.
The opportunity to participate in any Boston Marathon is an honor and an experience. For 2025, getting in is as tough as ever.
Earning a spot on the starting line means you must meet specific Boston Marathon qualifying standards. But don’t worry, I’ve got everything you need to succeed.
Let’s make your Boston dreams come true.
Key Takeaways:
- Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a significant achievement for runners worldwide and holds great prestige in the running community.
- To qualify, marathon runners must meet time standards within a specific qualifying window. In some years, an additional qualifying adjustment is applied beyond the standard when too many runners qualify.
- You must qualify at a B.A.A. certified course
My Boston Marathon Qualifying Journey
It took me 13 years to finally qualify for the Boston Marathon. Since first qualifying, I’ve now qualified 5 times while running the race back in 2022.
Why did it take me so long to qualify? I’ll dive more into many of my whys for taking this long but know that it isn’t easy for most runners. You may see an influencer qualify in what appears an easy effort marathon and good on them. However, for most marathon runners, Boston Marathon age group qualifying will be the pinnacle of their running career.
My journey to qualify saw many ups and severe depression downs.
As you take on this difficult accomplishment, be prepared for the emotional swings that are often the bigger internal battle than the physical requirements to achieving this goal.
Trust me, I know from failure after failure for 13 years.
What I Wish I Knew About Attempting to Boston Qualify
It’s hard. No duh Sherlock.
I didn’t realize how hard it was to Boston Qualify when I first started tackling the goal over a decade ago.
Maybe that ignorance was good for me or I never would have continued failing at the goal.
From my first marathon in 2006 to CIM 2019 where I first Boston Qualified, I went through the gauntlet of approaches and emotions.
After Twin Cities 2018, I actually gave up entirely on the goal. I was over it and I hated running. Thankfully, I hired a coach in July 2019 and 5 months later I BQ’ed.
Top three things I wish I knew before trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon
- Few, if any, people will understand the difficulty and the reason you’re attempting to BQ. My wife and family are supportive of me. However, none of them are serious runners. My wife has run 5 marathons but never attempted to really push to the discomfort levels of BQ paces. Trying to become one of the top 5% of age group marathon finishers takes extreme dedication and consistency. Most people don’t can’t relate and don’t know why you can’t have drinks at 8 pm on a Friday before a long run on Saturday morning. There’s a major difference between knowing your goal and understanding what it takes to achieve it. Tip: Get people around you trying for this same goal or who have accomplished it in the past. That way you can get support from someone who knows what you’re going through.
- However hard you think the training will be, double it. There’s no “getting by” when trying to Boston Qualify. Sure, you can probably miss an easy run here and there and maybe miss one or two workouts within a 16 week marathon program, but, for the most part, you are going to need extreme consistency. On top of that, you are not just going to survive to the finish at whatever time. You are competing against the clock which requires a sometimes crazy paced, lonely workout. It’s hard to BQ for a reason.
- It’ll probably take longer than you
thinkhope to BQ. It took me 13 years to BQ. Now, it shouldn’t have, but I wasn’t properly focused. If I had to guess for a complete marathon newbie that is focused on the goal, it would generally take one marathon to feel the pain of the distance, one marathon of true understanding to get closer to BQ time, and then the third marathon, they BQ. Sometimes, that’s years of training. Don’t expect to BQ out the gate. Are there social media influencers that do? Yes, but that’s not typical.
None of the above is intended to discourage you. It’s intended to make the goal understood and allow you to go into it knowing this won’t be easy.
Nothing worth achieving is ever easy though.
Because Boston doesn’t just accept everyone is why it’s worth it.
When you BQ, your effort is rewarded in light of its difficulty.
Understanding the Prestige of the Boston Marathon
Why the Boston Marathon Qualification is Coveted
Getting to run in the Boston Marathon is a big deal. It has extremely tough standards that make it tough for the top 5% of age group marathon finishers to qualify. This makes getting in a great achievement for all marathon runners.
It’s understandable for people outside the running world or new to running to be curious as to why do you have to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Earning the right to participate is engrained in the running community. Many runners often realize this aspect as they start tackling distance running goals.
The race’s tough standards prove runners’ skills and dedication. Qualifying times change with age and gender. This keeps the competition fair.
Being in the Boston Marathon is an honor. It shows a runner’s love for the sport and their skill. For many, it’s a dream that drives them to keep going.
For many marathon runners, like myself, attaining the qualification for the Boston Marathon is equivalent to that one out-of-reach goal you strive for, and once achieved, you realize the significance of the accomplishment.
Qualifying for the Boston Marathon 2025
Boston Marathon Qualifying Window
The Boston Marathon qualification process has gone through changes throughout the years. One thing remains though. It’s hard as hell to qualify.
Runners must meet specific standards to join the Boston Marathon. The qualifying window is a crucial period for this. It helps runners plan their training well.
The Boston Marathon 2025 qualifying period is from September 15, 2023, to early September 2024. A firm date with additional qualification details will be announced soon after the 2024 Boston Marathon. Runners need to finish a race with a time that meets their age group’s standard during this time.
Two of the Boston Marathon entry requirements are age and gender which play roles in setting qualifying times. The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) sets these times to keep competition fair and maintain the race’s integrity.
Getting into the Boston Marathon takes hard work and careful planning. Runners should pick their races wisely to meet the standards. With a short qualifying period, choosing the right races is key to success.
Here are the Boston Qualifying times 2025 (as of April 2024):
Meeting the time doesn’t guarantee a race spot. The field is limited, and faster times get priority. So, it’s best to aim well below the qualifying time for a better chance.
Now, let’s look at how runners can train and get ready to hit their qualifying times.
Boston Marathon Qualifying Times 2025
To qualify for the Boston Marathon, you must meet certain times. These times are set by the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.). They show the level needed to be in this big race. We’ll talk about the qualifying times for 2025, the age group standards, and how to train right.
Time to Qualify for the Boston Marathon
The times needed to qualify change with age and gender. As of April 2024, here are the Boston Marathon time standards 2025 (subject to change post-2024 Boston Marathon:
My Marathon Time Qualified but I Didn’t?
Making the qualifying time doesn’t ensure you get in. You also have to meet the registration needs. And you must be picked from all qualifying runners.
How this works:
Due to the high demand to get into the Boston Marathon every year, there are years when too many people qualify. In these years, there is a determined additional “cut off” time below the application standard that one needs to be accepted into the race.
For example, I qualified for the 2024 Boston Marathon with a 3:09:32 at the 2022 California International Marathon. However, the additional “cut off” time meant I would have needed a time of 3:04:31 to have been allowed into the 2024 Boston Marathon.
These additional “cut off’s” are why you may talk to a runner that is training for a faster time than their qualifying standard.
Registered Boston Marathon Qualifying Races
To qualify for the Boston Marathon, you must run a fast time in an approved race. These are called Boston Marathon qualifying races. They follow rules set by the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.).
Criteria for a Qualifying Race
Qualifying races have to stick to certain rules. They make sure the race is fair and right for qualifying times. The rules say:
- The course must be certified and accurately measured.
- The race must be timed using an electronic timing system.
- There should be enough water stations and medical help along the way.
- The race organizers have to keep everything safe and control traffic well.
Popular Marathons That Are B.A.A. Certified
Many marathons in the world are B.A.A. certified. This means they follow B.A.A.’s rules. They are good races if you want to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Some popular ones are:
- New York City Marathon
- Chicago Marathon
- Tokyo Marathon
- Berlin Marathon
- London Marathon
With that said, popular doesn’t always mean good. Many of these races are extremely difficult to get into and are logistical nightmares for actually qualifying.
At the 2017 NYC Marathon, I sat around for 3 hours after an hour bus ride just to start the race. These conditions were not ideal for me to BQ nor are they for most people. Needless to say, I did not BQ in NYC.
So, let’s dive into some of the best marathons to put yourself in a good position to qualify.
Best Boston Marathon Qualifying Marathon Races
Many races can help you qualify for the Boston Marathon. But some are especially good for getting fast times. Runners like these races a lot. They bring in fast racers.
For a great resource on what races qualify and details about the percentage of qualifiers, I highly suggest checking out FindMyMarathon.com’s extremely useful Boston Marathon Qualifiers page. I’m not affiliated in any way. I think they do a tremendous job helping future BQ’ers.
Let’s start with still available races to qualify for 2025 which will be limited as we only have until early September to BQ:
- Grandma’s Marathon (Duluth, Minnesota) – June 2024 – SOLD OUT! – Annually hosted in June, this marathon is currently sold out for 2024. However, I want to mention it here as it is an amazing race to attempt to BQ in the future. It is a flat and fast course. It has a high Boston Qualifying percentage of runners year in and year out.
- Buffalo Marathon (Buffalo, New York) – May 2024 – Appears to be SOLD OUT – Though no confirmation, it appears registration options have been pulled. double-check me though.
- Revel Rockies (Echo Mountain, Colorado) – June 2024 – 2024 will be the FINAL YEAR of this race. Known as a fast downhill course, losing about 5,000 ft of elevation start to finish.
- Tunnel Marathon (North Bend, Washington) – June & August 2024 – I ran this race and BQ’ed back in 2021. Lose gravel downhill trail. Few spectator points and aid stations so carry fuel. Great weather for a hard summer BQ effort.
- Jack and Jill’s Marathon (North Bend, Washington) – July 2024 – Identical course to Tunnel marathon above. Just an additional chance to run if the Tunnel times don’t work for you.
- Santa Rosa Marathon (Santa Rosa, California) – August 2024 – One of the last chances to BQ for 2025. I ran this course in 2023 and it was flat and fast except for some of the countryside extreme dips. I did not BQ, but I feel like knowing about the 100-200 feet down and up dips, I could now approach the course better.
Along with the ones mentioned above, these races are the ultimate BQ marathons for whatever year you are trying to get into Boston:
- California International Marathon (Sacramento, California) – December – I’m 100% biased on this one as I grew up in Sacramento and I’m one of their ambassadors. However, this race continues to prove to be a fast course that produces BQs. When I finished with a 2:58:58 in 2022, I wasn’t even in the top 1,000 finishers. There are BQ hopefuls at every single pace. The 3-hour pace groups are usually broken up into two groups of a hundred runners each. Yes, that’s just that one-time goal. That applies to each of the BQ cutoffs.
- Revel Marathon Series – This entire series of marathons are known for producing Boston Marathon qualifiers via their downhill courses. I’ve known numerous finishers who stated, that though they trained, these races were by far some of the easiest to BQ.
- Mountains 2 Beach Marathon (Ventura, California) – April – The net downhill course from Ojai at sea level leads to many BQs at this race.
- Twin Cities Marathon ( Minneapolis, Minnesota) – October – Personal favorite of mine. Though I bonked in 2018, I love the atmosphere and fan-lined streets of this race. One downside is the bit of a climb beginning at mile 22. Not horrible but any elevation climb near the end of a marathon is no fun. Still worth the competitive field, usually good weather, and crowd support.
- Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (Indianapolis, Indiana) – November – Known as a perfect Fall weather course, Indianapolis tends to bring in plenty of fast marathon runners looking to solidify their Boston time nearly 10 months in advance of the cutoff. This allows for adjustment to race schedule
- Mesa Marathon (Mesa, Arizona) – February – With a net downhill and the majority of the course on flat paved city roads, many marathoners hit their goal in the winter in the desert.
Running these races might help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Are these the only races you can BQ at? Absolutely not. These are the marathons I’d focus my attention on first that would fit into your preferred training time of year.
Strategies to Achieve Your Qualifying Time
Getting into the Boston Marathon is tough. But, with the right plans and tips, you can up your chances of making your qualifying time. Here are things that can help you on this path:
- Get a coach. The #1 reason it took me so long to BQ was not having an outside source to be accountable to and to guide me through the difficulty of this sort of marathon training block.
- Learn to fuel. Though it may seem simple to consume fuel to power your runs, the how and what to consume take more training than runners often acknowledge.
- Pick the right training block for you. I hate winter running in Colorado. If I were to pick a March marathon to attempt a BQ, I would be asking for failure. Having a kid in August? Don’t try to train for a marathon at the same time. Might sound simple, but those of us attempting these lofty goals overestimate our abilities and underestimate the outside factors.
By using these tips and a good training plan, you set yourself up well for qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Remember, the road to Boston is as fulfilling as finishing the race!
Boston Marathon Registration Information
If you want to run in the Boston Marathon 2025, you must understand how to sign up and more importantly, when you need to qualify by.
This will help you get ready for one of the most famous races. I’m here to guide you through the registration steps.
When You Must Qualify By
The typical qualification cut-off date for the Boston Marathon is the second week of September in the year prior to the race being run.
(This will be updated with the specific date once BAA announces it.)
Boston Marathon 2025 Registration
Registration for the Boston Marathon 2025 happens on a set schedule. It usually opens in September the year before the race. But, you should always check the official Boston Marathon website for exact dates and any updates.
When registering, you’ll fill out an online form. You need to provide personal info, details of your qualifying race, and proof of your qualifying time. Double-check everything you submit. This will help avoid any registration delays or problems.
Understanding the Verification of Qualifying Times
The Boston Marathon has strict qualifying time rules. You need a qualifying time that meets their standards. You have to submit your qualifying race details and time for verification.
The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) checks all qualifying times. They look at your race data, course certification, and the timing system. Make sure your race is certified and your info is accurate. This makes the verification easier.
Conclusion
Getting into the Boston Marathon is a big deal. It means you had the focus and dedication to achieve such a lofty goal.
We talked about Boston Marathon’s importance and how to qualify. We covered time standards and which races can get you in. Now, it’s a matter of putting in the intense and focused worked to get into Boston.
With the right training plan and choosing a proper race, you’ll get closer to qualifying. Remember, it’s more than just a race. It’s about your journey there.
Every training run gets you closer to your goal. So, keep going, stay on track, and push through. Hard work and grit will guide you to Boston.
Congrats if you’ve already qualified! If you’re still trying, don’t give up.
The mantra that has carried me to multiple BQ’s and hopefully can do the same for you is “Just Keep Going…It’s Worth It!”
FAQ
Do you have to qualify for the Boston Marathon?
Yes, runners must meet specific criteria to join the Boston Marathon. It’s only for those who qualify.
How hard is it to qualify for the Boston Marathon?
It’s tough to qualify because you need certain times for your age and gender. How hard it is varies for each runner.
How do you get selected for the Boston Marathon?
First, you must hit the qualifying times. Then, during a set time, you can register. If too many qualify, they pick based on fastest times.
Can you run a half marathon to qualify for the Boston Marathon?
No, a half marathon won’t get you in. You need to run a full marathon with a specific time for your age and gender.
