In a recent slew of Boston updates, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A). announced that there will be no changes to the qualifying times for the upcoming 2025 Boston Marathon. This decision comes as a relief to many runners who have already achieved their qualifying times.
Although the qualifying times for all age categories will stay consistent with those set for the 2024 marathon, meeting these standards does not automatically secure entry. If the number of applicants exceeds the race’s capacity (which it always does), those with the smallest margins over their qualifying times may not be accepted.
At the 2024 Boston Marathon, a cutoff time of five minutes and 29 seconds, beyond the qualification time, per age group, was enforced, making it one of the most significant cutoffs since 2012.
Despite over 33,000 applicants, more than 11,000 athletes were not accepted, even though they met the qualifying times. This led to speculation that the B.A.A. might tighten the standards for 2025.
What Are The 2025 Boston Marathon Qualifying Times?
| Age Group | Men | Women | Non-Binary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 35-39 | 3:05:00 | 3:35:00 | 3:35:00 |
| 40-44 | 3:10:00 | 3:40:00 | 3:40:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:25:00 | 3:55:00 | 3:55:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:35:00 | 4:05:00 | 4:05:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:50:00 | 4:20:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 65-69 | 4:05:00 | 4:35:00 | 4:35:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:20:00 | 4:50:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 75-79 | 4:35:00 | 5:05:00 | 5:05:00 |
| 80 and over | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 | 5:20:00 |
2025 Marathon Quick Facts:
- Field Size: 30,000 participants
- Race Date: Monday, April 21, 2025
- Registration: Opens Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. ET and closes Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
- Qualifying Window: Sept. 1, 2023, to Sept. 13, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Athletes who meet the qualifying times within this window are eligible to apply for registration.
What About The 2026 Boston Marathon?
The qualifying window for the 130th Boston Marathon, scheduled for April 20, 2026, will open on Sept. 1, 2024. More details regarding the 2026 race registration will be released after the 2025 marathon.
