2027 Boston Marathon qualifying standards
These are the B.A.A. qualifying times for the 2027 Boston Marathon. The qualifying window runs from 13 September 2025 – 18 September 2026, and your age group is based on your age on the day of the race.
| Age group | Men | Women | Non-binary | Men pace /km | Women pace /km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18–34 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 | 3:25:00 | 4:09 (6:40/mi) | 4:52 (7:49/mi) |
| 35–39 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 | 3:30:00 | 4:16 (6:52/mi) | 4:59 (8:01/mi) |
| 40–44 | 3:05:00 | 3:35:00 | 3:35:00 | 4:23 (7:03/mi) | 5:06 (8:12/mi) |
| 45–49 | 3:15:00 | 3:45:00 | 3:45:00 | 4:37 (7:26/mi) | 5:20 (8:35/mi) |
| 50–54 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 | 3:50:00 | 4:44 (7:38/mi) | 5:27 (8:46/mi) |
| 55–59 | 3:30:00 | 4:00:00 | 4:00:00 | 4:59 (8:01/mi) | 5:41 (9:09/mi) |
| 60–64 | 3:50:00 | 4:20:00 | 4:20:00 | 5:27 (8:46/mi) | 6:10 (9:55/mi) |
| 65–69 | 4:05:00 | 4:35:00 | 4:35:00 | 5:48 (9:21/mi) | 6:31 (10:29/mi) |
| 70–74 | 4:20:00 | 4:50:00 | 4:50:00 | 6:10 (9:55/mi) | 6:52 (11:04/mi) |
| 75–79 | 4:35:00 | 5:05:00 | 5:05:00 | 6:31 (10:29/mi) | 7:14 (11:38/mi) |
| 80+ | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 | 5:20:00 | 6:52 (11:04/mi) | 7:35 (12:12/mi) |
Source: Boston Athletic Association. Standards can change each year — always confirm on baa.org before you race.
The cutoff: why a BQ is not always enough
Boston has a limited field. When more people qualify than there are places, the B.A.A. accepts applicants fastest-first relative to their own age-group standard. The difference between the standard and the slowest accepted time is the cutoff:
So for the 2027 race, a runner in the men’s 18–34 group needed about 2:49:43 or faster to be accepted, despite a standard of 2:55:00. Many runners now aim for a cushion of 6–8 minutes to feel safe.
How to run a BQ
- Pick a fast, certified course in cool weather — and one inside the qualifying window. The course must be certified and the race must meet the B.A.A.’s qualifying rules, so check eligibility before you commit.
- Train for your cushion, not the standard. Use the race time predictor with a recent half marathon: you want it to predict comfortably under your target.
- Pace evenly. Build a plan with the marathon pace calculator and print a pace band.
- Fuel well. Many BQ attempts are lost after 30 km; plan gels with the race fueling calculator.
Unofficial tool. This calculator is not affiliated with the Boston Athletic Association. Registration rules, eligible courses and standards are set by the B.A.A. and may change.
See full splits and training paces for common BQ targets: sub-3 marathon, 3:15, 3:30 and 3:45.
Last reviewed: September 2026 · Health disclaimer