BOSTON — Runners hoping to qualify for the 2026 Boston Marathon are going to have to pick up the pace.
The Boston Athletic Association has updated its qualifying times for the world’s oldest annual marathon, asking most prospective competitors to run a 26.2-mile race five minutes faster than in recent years to earn a starting number.
“Every time the BAA has adjusted qualifying standards — most recently in 2019 — we’ve seen athletes continue to raise the bar and elevate to new levels,” Jack Fleming, president and CEO of the BAA, said in a statement posted Monday. “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.”
The BAA introduced qualifying times in 1970 and has expanded and adjusted the requirements through the decades. Runners participating in the event to raise money for charity do not have to meet the qualifying standards.
The latest change means men between the ages of 18 and 34 will have to run a marathon during the qualification window in 2 hours, 55 minutes or faster to earn a spot in the 2026 race — five minutes faster than for this year’s edition.
Women and nonbinary applicants need to complete the distance in 3:25.
The slowest competitors that can earn qualification are in the 80 and over age group. The men in that category must complete a marathon in 4:50, while women and nonbinary competitors have 5:20 to finish. Those numbers were not changed in the most recent adjustment.
The BAA said it had 36,406 qualifier entry applications for next year’s race, more than ever before.
“The record number of applicants indicates the growing trend of our sport and shows that athletes are continuously getting faster and faster,” Fleming said.
The qualifying window for the 2026 race began on Sept. 1 and will run through the conclusion of the registration period of that race next September.
Next year’s Boston Marathon will take place on April 21.
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The Boston Marathon, one of the most prestigious and iconic races in the world, has announced that qualifying times for the 2026 race will be reduced across all age groups. This decision comes as a response to the increasing popularity of the race and the need to maintain its competitive nature.
For many runners, qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a lifelong dream. The race, which has been held annually since 1897, is known for its challenging course and strict qualifying standards. In order to secure a spot in the race, runners must meet specific time standards based on their age and gender.
In recent years, the demand for Boston Marathon entries has surged, leading to increased competition and higher qualifying standards. As a result, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), the organization that oversees the race, has decided to lower the qualifying times for the 2026 race in order to make it more accessible to a wider range of runners.
The new qualifying times will vary depending on age and gender, with some age groups seeing more significant reductions than others. The BAA has stated that the changes are intended to strike a balance between maintaining the race’s competitive nature and ensuring that it remains inclusive and accessible to all runners.
Many runners have welcomed the news of the reduced qualifying times, seeing it as an opportunity to challenge themselves and strive for a new personal best. Others, however, have expressed concerns that the changes may make it more difficult for some runners to qualify for the race.
Regardless of individual opinions, one thing is clear: the Boston Marathon remains one of the most prestigious and sought-after races in the world. With its rich history, challenging course, and competitive field, it continues to inspire runners of all levels to push themselves to new heights.
As the 2026 race approaches, runners around the world will be training hard and working towards meeting the new qualifying standards. Whether they are aiming to qualify for the first time or hoping to improve on their previous performances, one thing is certain: crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon is a goal worth pursuing.
