What are the qualifying times for the 2026 Boston Marathon?

Boston Marathon

Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is more competitive than ever, with the BAA making qualifying times faster than before.

Written by Carson Lyle

April 16, 2026 | 5:00 am

1 minute to read

The Boston Athletic Association said so 33,267 eligible applications received For the 130th Boston Marathon.

This number represents a decrease from last year’s more than 36,000 applicants for the competitive race.

This decrease may be due to faster qualifying times implemented for potential 2026 Boston Marathon runners.

For the 130th Boston Marathon, the BAA cut five minutes from the qualifying time for those under 60. Furthermore, competitors had to run a marathon 4 minutes and 34 seconds faster than the specified time in order to be accepted into the Boston Marathon.

The race will become more competitive in 2027, with the BAA implementing a Net slope path procedures.

Depending on the elevation change from the start and finish line of a racer’s qualifying marathon, competitors will have either five to ten minutes of finishing time, the BAA said.

If the difference is 6,000 feet or more, runners will not qualify for the Boston Marathon. According to the BAA website.

Sometimes it can be easy to judge race times, but one thing is for sure: you have to be fast and dedicated to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

See the qualifying times for the 2026 Boston Marathon:

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18-34

Men: 2 hours and 55 minutes

Women/non-binary: 3 hours and 25 minutes

35-39

Men: 3 hours

Women/non-binary: 3 hours and 30 minutes

40-44

Men: 3 hours and 5 minutes

Women/non-binary: 3 hours 35 minutes

45-49

Men: 3 hours and 15 minutes

Women/non-binary: 3 hours and 45 minutes

50-54

Men: 3 hours and 20 minutes

Women/non-binary: 3 hours and 50 minutes

55-59

Men: 3 hours and 30 minutes

Women/non-binary: 4 hours

60-64

Men: 3 hours and 50 minutes

Women/non-binary: 4 hours and 20 minutes

65-69

Men: 4 hours and 5 minutes

Women/non-binary: 4 hours 35 minutes

70-74

Men: 4 hours and 20 minutes

Women/non-binary: 4 hours 50 minutes

75-79

Men: 4 hours and 45 minutes

Women/Non-Binary: 5 hours and 5 minutes

80 and more

Men: 4 hours and 50 minutes

Women/non-binary: 5 hours and 20 minutes