Boston Marathon
Boston, USA · Patriots' Day (third Monday of April)
Net downhill but deceptively hard: the first 25 km drop steadily and wreck quads that go out too fast, then the Newton hills (km 26–34, capped by Heartbreak Hill) arrive exactly when glycogen runs out. Even splits here means banking restraint, not time.
Course
Elevation gain
248 m
Net elevation
-140 m
Significant net downhill — train the quads
Finishers
~29,000
Month
April
Patriots' Day (third Monday of April)
Race-day weather
Median start temp
9°C
Historical range
5–25°C
Hot-year risk
Moderate
The most volatile weather of any major: 2018 was freezing rain with a headwind, 2012 started around 25°C.
Getting in
Qualifier or lottery. Qualifying time required (see our BQ tables); recent cutoffs ranged from 4:34 (2026) to 6:51 (2025) under the standard. Official site ↗
Pacing plans for Boston Marathon
Course-adjusted splits for every common goal — not flat even splits, but pacing that matches where this course is fast and where it bites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Boston Marathon a fast course?
It is not considered a PR course. The course drops 140 m from start to finish with 248 m of climbing along the way. We rate it 6/10 for PR potential.
What is the weather usually like at the Boston Marathon?
The median start-line temperature is around 9°C, with a historical range of roughly 5–25°C. The most volatile weather of any major: 2018 was freezing rain with a headwind, 2012 started around 25°C.
How do you get into the Boston Marathon?
Qualifier or lottery. Qualifying time required (see our BQ tables); recent cutoffs ranged from 4:34 (2026) to 6:51 (2025) under the standard.
Is the Boston Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes — the Boston Marathon is a certified course accepted by the B.A.A. for Boston qualifying times. Note that it is not eligible for records due to its point-to-point or net-downhill layout, but that does not affect Boston qualifying.