Boston Qualifying Times
To enter the 2027 Boston Marathon you need a certified marathon result that meets your age-group standard: 2:55:00 for men 18-34 (6:40 per mile) and 3:25:00 for women and non-binary runners 18-34 (7:49 per mile). The standards ease with age, to 4:50:00 and 5:20:00 at 80 and older. Meeting the standard only lets you apply: for 2027, accepted qualifiers had to be 5:17 under it.
Source: B.A.A. Boston Marathon qualifier page, baa.org. Checked .
Net (chip) time, h:mm:ss
5:00
5:00 under your 3:05:00 standard, but short of the 2027 cut-off of 5:17 by 0:17.
Men, age group 40-44, standard 3:05:00.
| Age group | Men | Women and non-binary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | /mi | /km | Standard | /mi | /km | |
| 18-34 | 2:55:00 | 6:40 | 4:09 | 3:25:00 | 7:49 | 4:52 |
| 35-39 | 3:00:00 | 6:52 | 4:16 | 3:30:00 | 8:01 | 4:59 |
| 40-44 | 3:05:00 | 7:03 | 4:23 | 3:35:00 | 8:12 | 5:06 |
| 45-49 | 3:15:00 | 7:26 | 4:37 | 3:45:00 | 8:35 | 5:20 |
| 50-54 | 3:20:00 | 7:38 | 4:44 | 3:50:00 | 8:46 | 5:27 |
| 55-59 | 3:30:00 | 8:01 | 4:59 | 4:00:00 | 9:09 | 5:41 |
| 60-64 | 3:50:00 | 8:46 | 5:27 | 4:20:00 | 9:55 | 6:10 |
| 65-69 | 4:05:00 | 9:21 | 5:48 | 4:35:00 | 10:29 | 6:31 |
| 70-74 | 4:20:00 | 9:55 | 6:10 | 4:50:00 | 11:04 | 6:52 |
| 75-79 | 4:35:00 | 10:29 | 6:31 | 5:05:00 | 11:38 | 7:14 |
| 80 and older | 4:50:00 | 11:04 | 6:52 | 5:20:00 | 12:12 | 7:35 |
The B.A.A. lists the non-binary standards separately; each equals the women's standard for the same age group. Paces are even pace over 26.219 miles (42.195 km). Select a standard to open the marathon pace chart with that goal and its splits.
How do Boston qualifying times work?
A qualifying time is a ticket to apply, not a ticket to run. The B.A.A. sets the rules, and these are the ones that decide whether a result counts, quoted from its qualifier page:
- Standard
Athletes must meet qualifying time standards to apply to run the Boston Marathon.
- Age
The qualifying times below are based upon each athlete's age on the date of the 2027 Boston Marathon (April 19, 2027).
- Window
The qualifying window for the 2027 Boston Marathon began on September 13, 2025.
- Timing
Qualifying times are based on official submitted net time (also known as chip time).
- Course
Only a certified full marathon distance will be accepted for qualifying.
- Entry
achieving one's qualifying standard does not guarantee entry into the event
- Minimum age
Minimum age requirement for the Boston Marathon is 18 years of age on race day.
Quoted from baa.org/races/boston-marathon/qualify on . The qualifying window for the 2027 race opened September 13, 2025. Older standards are on the B.A.A.'s qualifying times history page.
What was the 2027 Boston cut-off?
The qualifier registration "cut-off" for acceptance into the 2027 Boston Marathon was 5 minutes, 17 seconds.
The B.A.A. defines the cut-off as the time that refers to the amount of time one needed to be below their respective qualifying standard
. More qualifiers applied than the field holds, so the fastest relative to their standard got in first. A man aged 35-39 needed this to be accepted through qualifier registration:
Standard, men 35-39: 3:00:00
3:00:00 − 5:17 cut-off = 2:54:43
2:54:43 ÷ 26.219 mi = 6:40 per mile
A 3:00:00 BQ needed 2:54:43 or faster in 2027, 6:40/mi instead of 6:52/mi
The cut-off is only known after registration closes, and it changes every year. For 2027 the B.A.A. also says Approximately 1,000 qualifiers will be randomly selected for entry
from qualifiers who were not accepted on time alone. If you are training for a BQ, a margin of several minutes under your standard is the safer target.
What pace do you need for a Boston qualifier?
Divide the standard by the marathon distance, 42.195 km or 26.219 miles. For a woman aged 35-39 the standard is 3:30:00:
210 min ÷ 26.219 mi = 8.010 min per mile → 8:01 per mile
210 min ÷ 42.195 km = 4.977 min per km → 4:59 per km
3:30:00 BQ = 8:01/mi = 4:59/km, held for the whole race
Those are average paces with no slack. Watches read long on most courses because runners rarely hold the measured line, so plan to see a slightly faster pace on your watch than the chart shows. The marathon pace chart gives every split and a printable pace band for any goal.
Do downhill courses count for a BQ?
They count, with time added. Results from courses with a large net elevation drop are adjusted when submitted to the B.A.A.:
| Net downhill | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Under 1,500 ft | None |
| 1,500 to 2,999 ft | +5:00 |
| 3,000 to 5,999 ft | +10:00 |
| 6,000 ft or more | Not accepted |
From the B.A.A. qualifier page: a result from a course with 1,500 to 2,999 feet of net downhill will incur a five-minute (+5:00 minutes) time adjustment to results once submitted to the B.A.A. for review.
Pace pages for every BQ standard
Each standard opens the marathon pace chart with that goal selected. Where the site has a dedicated goal page, with training paces and the race times that suggest the goal is realistic, it is linked too.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Boston qualifying time for 2027?
It depends on age on race day (April 19, 2027) and category. For runners 18-34 it is 2:55:00 for men and 3:25:00 for women and non-binary runners. The standards ease with age to 4:50:00 and 5:20:00 at 80 and older. The full table above is from the B.A.A. qualifier page on baa.org.
Does running my qualifying time guarantee a Boston entry?
No. The B.A.A. states that "achieving one's qualifying standard does not guarantee entry into the event". The field is limited, so faster qualifiers are accepted first. For 2027 the cut-off was 5 minutes 17 seconds, meaning accepted applicants in qualifier registration were at least that far under their standard. About 1,000 further qualifiers are chosen by random selection.
What pace do I need to run a BQ?
Divide the standard by 26.219 miles. A 2:55:00 BQ needs 6:40 per mile (4:09 per km), a 3:30:00 needs 8:01 per mile (4:59 per km). The table lists the pace for every standard, and each standard links to the full marathon pace chart with that goal selected.
Which age do I use: my age now or on race day?
Your age on race day. The B.A.A. says the qualifying times "are based upon each athlete's age on the date of the 2027 Boston Marathon (April 19, 2027)." A runner who is 39 when they qualify but 40 on race day uses the 40-44 standard.
Does gun time or chip time count for a BQ?
Chip time. In the B.A.A.'s words, "Qualifying times are based on official submitted net time (also known as chip time)." The race must also be on a certified full marathon course.
Do downhill marathons count for Boston qualifying?
Yes, with an adjustment. The B.A.A. adds 5:00 to results from courses with a net downhill of 1,500 to 2,999 feet and 10:00 for 3,000 to 5,999 feet. Courses with 6,000 feet or more of net downhill are not accepted for qualifying.