Boston is the only one of the big marathons where most runners earn their place with a time. People call it a "BQ": a Boston qualifier. You don't run it at a special race. Any certified marathon counts, as long as it falls inside the qualifying window and you run fast enough for your age.
The qualifying times
These are the times for the 2027 race (Monday 19 April 2027). They're based on your age on race day, and they're the same as for 2026. The non-binary standards match the women's.
| Age | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18–34 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 |
| 35–39 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 40–44 | 3:05:00 | 3:35:00 |
| 45–49 | 3:15:00 | 3:45:00 |
| 50–54 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 55–59 | 3:30:00 | 4:00:00 |
| 60–64 | 3:50:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 65–69 | 4:05:00 | 4:35:00 |
| 70–74 | 4:20:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 75–79 | 4:35:00 | 5:05:00 |
| 80+ | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
Hitting the time doesn't get you in on its own
Your time only lets you apply. Registration happens in one week in September, and it isn't first come, first served. When more people apply than there are places, Boston takes the fastest runners in each age group, measured by how far under their standard they ran.
For 2027, runners needed to be 5 minutes 17 seconds under their standard. A man aged 18 to 34 needed about 2:49:43, not 2:55. Over 8,000 qualifiers missed out. For the first time, Boston also drew about 1,000 extra places at random from qualifiers who missed the cut-off.
Rule of thumb: aim for at least 5 to 7 minutes under your standard. The cut-off has been 4½ to 7 minutes in recent years.
Which races count
- A full marathon only. Half marathons don't count, however fast you run them.
- A certified course. It must be measured and certified by USATF, AIMS or the country's own athletics body. Almost every big city marathon is. Small local races and trail races often aren't, so check before you enter.
- A real, outdoor race. Virtual races, treadmill and indoor marathons, and time trials don't count.
- Chip time. Boston uses your official net time, from crossing the start line to the finish, not the gun time.
- Inside the window. The window for the 2027 race opened on 13 September 2025 and closed when registration did in September 2026. Each new window usually opens right after the last registration week, so a race run now counts towards April 2028. The B.A.A. confirms the exact dates on its site.
- Steep downhill courses get time added. If a course drops a long way from start to finish (over about 460 m, or 1,500 ft), Boston makes your time 5 or 10 minutes slower when it checks it. Courses that drop more than about 1,830 m (6,000 ft) don't count at all.
Picking your qualifier
Any certified marathon works, but some make a BQ much easier. Look for:
- A flat course. Every hill costs time.
- Cool weather. Most runners race best at around 7 to 12°C.
- A big field with pacers. You'll have runners to stick with at your pace all the way.
- Good timing. A spring race leaves time to try again in the autumn if it goes wrong, before the next registration week.
Fast marathons for a BQ
These are flat, fast, certified marathons in our race list, by season.
Winter: January to March
Dubai MarathonOne of the fastest courses in the world, and first come, first served. Go out early: it warms up fast.
Sun 17 Jan 2027Race day 16–24°CDubai, United Arab EmiratesFly into Dubai (DXB)Open
How to get in: Yes, registration open on the official siteSeville MarathonProbably the flattest big marathon in Europe, and a favourite for qualifiers. Sells out early.
Sun 21 Feb 2027Race day 8–17°CSeville, SpainFly into Seville (SVQ)Sold out
How to get in: Sold out. Waiting list (€97.10)Castellón MarathonA flat single loop on the Spanish coast in February, with a smaller field and easier entry.
Sun 21 Feb 2027Race day 10–16°CCastellón, SpainFly into Valencia (VLC) or Castellón (CDT)Entry: check
How to get in: CheckTokyo MarathonFlat and fast, but very hard to get into. Only worth it if you already have a place.
Sun 7 Mar 2027Race day 6–12°CTokyo, JapanFly into Tokyo (HND/NRT)Ballot closed
How to get in: Ballot closed 28 Aug 2026. Charity or official tour package onlySpring: April and May
Rotterdam MarathonFlat, cool and fast, and a classic spring qualifier. Watch for wind off the river.
Sun 11 Apr 2027 (likely)Race day 7–13°CRotterdam, NetherlandsFly into Rotterdam (RTM) or Amsterdam (AMS), or EurostarEntry: check
How to get in: Registration usually opens around October. CheckHannover MarathonFlat and fast, with a smaller field than the big German races, so it's easier to get in.
Sun 11 Apr 2027Race day 7–14°CHanover, GermanyFly into Hanover (HAJ)Entry: check
How to get in: CheckHamburg MarathonFlat and fast, with big crowds and usually good April weather.
Sun 25 Apr 2027Race day 7–14°CHamburg, GermanyFly into Hamburg (HAM)Entry: check
How to get in: 2026 sold out by Sep 2025, so check nowLondon MarathonFlat and fast, but crowded at the start. Hard to hold an even pace in the first few miles.
Sat 24 and Sun 25 Apr 2027 (one-off two-day race)Race day 8–14°CLondon, UKFly into London (LHR/LGW/STN/LTN/LCY)Ballot closed
How to get in: Ballot closed 1 May 2026 (1,338,544 applied). Charity place onlyCopenhagen MarathonA flat city course in May. Mornings are cool, but it can warm up by the finish.
Sun 9 May 2027Race day 9–16°CCopenhagen, DenmarkFly into Copenhagen (CPH)Ballot closed
How to get in: Ballot closed in June 2026 (80,937 applied). Charity or tour operator onlyAutumn: September to December
Berlin MarathonThe fastest major. Most world records are set here.
Sun 26 Sep 2027Race day 12–18°CBerlin, GermanyFly into Berlin (BER)Ballot open
How to get in: Yes, ballot open until 12 Nov 2026. Results 3 Dec 2026Chicago MarathonFlat, with huge crowds. Some years it's warm, so check the forecast and adjust your pace.
Sun 10 Oct 2027Race day 10–18°CChicago, USAFly into Chicago (ORD/MDW)Ballot open
How to get in: Yes, applications open until 29 Oct 2026. Draw results 8 Dec 2026Amsterdam MarathonFlat and usually cool. Easier to get into than Berlin or Chicago, but it sells out.
Sun 18 Oct 2026 (2027: usually 3rd Sun of Oct)Race day 9–13°CAmsterdam, NetherlandsFly into Amsterdam (AMS), or EurostarSold out
How to get in: 2026: sold out. 2027 registration likely opens around DecemberFrankfurt MarathonFlat and fast, with a finish inside the Festhalle.
Sun 25 Oct 2026 (2027: last Sun of Oct likely)Race day 7–13°CFrankfurt, GermanyFly into Frankfurt (FRA)Entry: check
How to get in: Nearly full (1,500 places left in July 2026)Valencia MarathonProbably the fastest marathon in Europe right now, in cool December weather. Ballot entry.
Sun 6 Dec 2026 (2027: usually first Sun of Dec)Race day 8–14°CValencia, SpainFly into Valencia (VLC)Ballot closed
How to get in: 2026 full (waiting list). 2027: watch for the ballot in mid-DecemberPlan your splits: put your target time into the pace calculator to see the pace per km or mile you need, with 5 to 7 minutes to spare.
Find the race that suits you
7 questions, about a minute
Sources: B.A.A.: Qualify for the Boston Marathon, B.A.A.: 2027 acceptances, Marathon Handbook, checked October 2026. Boston changes its rules and times from time to time, so check the B.A.A. site before you plan around a qualifier.