Why it matters
The Boston Marathon is widely regarded as the holy grail for amateur runners (and even many of the elites), and races like REVEL have thrived by offering what many consider the fastest path to qualifying for that coveted bib. But the B.A.A.’s new indexing and qualification rules could upend that model, and force an identity reckoning for downhill marathon brands built around Boston-qualifying performance.
What’s happening
The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced that beginning with the 2027 Boston Marathon, qualifying times from courses with at least 1,500 feet (457 meters) of net downhill will no longer be accepted at face value. Instead:
- A 5-minute penalty will be added to results from races with 1,500–2,999 feet of drop.
- A 10-minute penalty applies to courses with 3,000–5,999 feet of descent.
- Courses with more than 6,000 feet of net loss will be disqualified entirely for Boston qualification.
That leaves REVEL, and many of its most popular events, which all feature dramatic downhill profiles squarely in the penalty zone.
What REVEL is saying
In an official statement provided to Marathon Handbook, a spokesperson for REVEL said:
“For over a decade, the REVEL Race Series has proudly offered certified Boston Qualifiers where our runners earn their qualifying times through training, grit, and determination. Over that time, the B.A.A. has previously tightened their qualifying standards several times as they have seen increased competition for a limited number of spots available. While this particular change affects our races uniquely, the REVEL Race Series still remains one of the most competitive opportunities to qualify, especially to those who put in the correct training and effort to take advantage of our downhill courses.“
What race Directors Could Be Doing
Some within the running community believe REVEL and similar events have little choice but to adapt.
There’s an opportunity to rebuild the courses to be exactly 1,499 ft net drop and market them as the fastest, non-penalized BQ courses.
This tactic may already be in motion elsewhere. Race director Jamil Coury posted that the new Tucson Marathon course, which currently features 1,549 feet of drop, is being modified to cut just 50 feet, bringing it below the penalty threshold.
We are currently at 1,549 feet of drop for the new Tucson Marathon course we introduced this past December starting at @B2science – we are working on cutting the 50 feet needed to be BQ non-penalty compliant.
— Jamil Coury (@JamilCoury) June 18, 2025
The race as it stands has around 269 feet of total climb, the rest a… https://t.co/oLEgzkqhhr
The business of Boston qualifiers
For races like REVEL, the stakes are high.
Their brand has long catered to runners chasing fast times and BQ dreams, with slick marketing, PR-worthy results, and dramatic course drops.
If those times now come with a built-in 5–10 minute penalty, it could make REVEL far less attractive for the thousands who select their marathons based on the likelihood of getting into Boston.
Courses optimized for speed, aided by gravity, are suddenly on notice.
Even if REVEL races remain popular for PR chasers or downhill enthusiasts, they may lose ground to flatter but still “fast” courses that are in compliance with the new BQ course rules.
The bigger picture
The B.A.A.’s new system is designed to level the playing field, adjusting for the undeniable speed advantage runners gain on downhill courses.
A 2023 study cited by the B.A.A. found that net descent can give runners a 3–6 minute edge, depending on grade and pace.
This rule change isn’t just about physics; it’s a philosophical shift. Boston wants its qualifiers to reflect ability over strategy, especially considering the rapid-growing number of qualifiers every year. In doing so, it could be reshaping how runners and races approach the entire concept of qualification.
For REVEL, the road ahead may still lead to Boston. But it may require a sharp left turn and a few hundred feet of elevation gain to get there.
