2025 Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America Registration Update & 2026 Qualifier Standards Adjustment

September 16, 2024

Record 36,406 applications received for 2025 Boston Marathon; Qualifying Standards adjusted as 2026 qualifying window begins

BOSTON /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Following a successful registration week for the 129^th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announces updates pertaining to the next two editions of the Patriots’ Day race.

A total of 36,406 qualifier entry applications were received during registration week (September 9-13), with athletes from 120 countries and all 50 U.S. states applying to participate in the April 21, 2025, event. This total number of applicants sets a new record, surpassing the previous record of 33,058 qualifier applications received ahead of the 2024 Boston Marathon.

“The enthusiasm and desire from athletes around the world aiming to participate in the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America is unmatched, and is truly what makes the Boston Marathon such a special event,” said Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the B.A.A. “The record number of applicants indicates the growing trend of our sport and shows that athletes are continuously getting faster and faster. We look forward to welcoming 30,000 athletes in their pursuit of the finish line this April, and we are already planning for a memorable event experience from start to finish.”

Due to field size limitations, not all qualifiers will be accepted into the 129^th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America. Over the coming weeks, the Boston Athletic Association will verify all qualifier submissions, and subsequently athletes will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance via e-mail by early October. For the 2024 Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. accepted 22,019 qualified applicants, while 11,039 applicants were unable to be accepted.

The B.A.A. will not predict the “cut-off” time needed to gain acceptance into the 129^th Boston Marathon and asks for athletes’ cooperation and patience during this verification process. Athletes are asked not to contact the B.A.A. to check on the status of their entry unless requested to do so by a member of our Athlete Services team. When available, information will be posted to www.baa.org and across the Boston Marathon’s social media channels.

Qualifying Standards Adjustments Announced as 2026 Qualifying Window Begins

After a thorough analysis of Boston Marathon entry data spanning many years, qualifying results, and marathon race participation globally, the B.A.A. also announced adjustments to qualifying standards for the 2026 Boston Marathon for athletes ages 18-59.

“As we have witnessed in recent years, the sport of marathoning is growing and athletes continue to get faster,” said Fleming. “At the same time, demand to participate in the Boston Marathon has steadily grown as well, and unfortunately in recent years we’ve had to turn away thousands of runners who’ve achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. After a careful analysis of results data, we have adjusted the qualifying standards by five minutes for the 2026 Boston Marathon for athletes under the age of 60.

“Every time the B.A.A. has adjusted qualifying standards – most recently in 2019 – we’ve seen athletes continue to raise the bar and elevate to new levels. In recent years we’ve turned away athletes in this age range (18-59) at the highest rate, and the adjustment reflects both the depth of participation and speed at which athletes are running.”

Since 1970, the Boston Marathon has featured qualifying standards as a means of entry. A breakdown of Boston Marathon qualifying standards for 2026 can be found below, while a historical breakdown of qualifying times can be found here.

Qualifying times for athletes competing amongst the Para Athletics Division, Adaptive Program, wheelchair division, handcycle, or duo programs remain the same and can be found here.

The qualifying window for the 130^th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, to be held April 20, 2026, opened on September 1, 2024, and will run through the end of registration week in September 2025. Exact registration dates and entry procedures for the 2026 Boston Marathon will be announced following the 2025 Boston Marathon.

2026 Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America Qualifying Standards

Times displayed in h:mm:ss, representative of an athlete’s net time

The qualifying window for the 2026 Boston Marathon began on September 1, 2024, and will continue through the conclusion of 2026 Boston Marathon registration next September. Registration information can be found here, and historical qualifying details are available here.

ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (B.A.A.) 

Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A. manages the Boston Marathon, and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round programming. The 129th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 21, 2025. The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.

MEDIA CONTACT

Chris Lotsbom

Director of Race Communications & Media

Clotsbom@baa.org

Lorna Campbell

Head of Public Relations

Lcampbell@baa.org

Frequently Asked Questions for Athletes

When will official notices of acceptances and non-acceptances be emailed?

Notices of acceptance or non-acceptance will be issued by early October.

When will credit cards be charged? My credit card has been charged/it appears entry fees have been withdrawn from my bank. What does this mean?

Credit cards will be charged only if accepted into the event. Upon submission of an athlete’s application, their credit card has been authorized for payment. If an application is accepted, only then will the credit card be charged the non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-deferrable entry fee. Athletes may notice a preauthorization draft on a credit card statement. The actual charge will not appear on the credit card until their entry has been verified and accepted. Only athletes who are accepted into the Boston Marathon will be charged the entry fee.

Will 129^th Boston Marathon registration re-open to qualifiers?

Registration for the 129^th Boston Marathon was open from September 9-13 for all qualified athletes and will not re-open.

When does registration for the 130^th Boston Marathon open?

The 130^th Boston Marathon qualifying window began on September 1, 2024. Registration dates will be announced following the conclusion of the 129^th race.