Boston qualifier calculator
Your exact 2026 standard, the pace it demands, and — the part the official table doesn't tell you — the time that actually gets you in.
Why we show a “realistic target”
Hitting the standard only makes you eligible to apply. Recent acceptance cutoffs ran from 4:34 (2026) to 6:51 (2025) faster than the standard, so treat 'standard minus 6:00' as your real target. Note: from the 2027 qualifying window, times run on steeply net-downhill courses are adjusted upward (+5:00 for 1,500–2,999 ft of drop, +10:00 for 3,000–5,999 ft).
The published standards are the entry ticket to the lottery, not the finish line. Because Boston accepts the fastest applicants first when the race is oversubscribed, the effective bar moves every year with demand. Building a six-minute buffer into your goal has covered every recent cycle — and it changes which race you should pick and how you should pace it. The full standards, with a dedicated page per age group, live at Boston qualifying times.
Not sure what you could run right now? Feed a recent 5K, 10K, or half into the race time predictor and it will hand the result straight to this calculator.
Best races to chase your BQ
All races →California International Marathon
Sacramento, USA · December
Frequently asked questions
Is hitting the Boston qualifying standard enough to get in?
Usually not. The standard only lets you apply; when applications exceed field size, the B.A.A. accepts the fastest first. Recent acceptance cutoffs ran from 4:34 to 6:51 faster than the standard, so a time that merely equals the standard is unlikely to gain entry — aim for standard minus six minutes or better.
Which age counts for my Boston qualifying age group?
Your age on the day of the Boston Marathon you're applying for — not your age when you run the qualifying race. If you turn 40 between your qualifier and race day, you qualify under the 40–44 standard.
Do non-binary athletes have separate Boston qualifying times?
The B.A.A. currently registers non-binary athletes under the women's qualifying standards for their age group.
Does any marathon count as a Boston qualifier?
The race must be run on a certified course. Most major road marathons qualify, but from the 2027 qualifying window the B.A.A. adjusts times from steeply net-downhill courses upward — +5:00 for 1,500–2,999 ft of drop, +10:00 for 3,000–5,999 ft. Each race page on this site notes BQ eligibility and any downhill caveat.