BOSTON – Attention all aspiring runners aiming to qualify for the prestigious 2026 Boston Marathon – the bar has been raised!
In an exciting update, the Boston Athletic Association has revised its qualifying times for the world’s oldest annual marathon, challenging most potential participants to complete a 26.2-mile race five minutes faster than in previous years in order to secure a coveted starting number.
Jack Fleming, the president and CEO of the BAA, stated, “Every time the BAA has adjusted qualifying standards, we’ve witnessed athletes raising the bar and achieving new heights. This adjustment reflects the increasing depth and speed at which athletes are now running.”
Qualifying times were initially introduced by the BAA in 1970, and have since evolved over the years. It’s important to note that runners raising funds for charity are exempt from meeting these qualifying standards.
The latest adjustment decrees that men aged 18-34 must complete a marathon within 2 hours and 55 minutes to earn a spot in the 2026 race – a five-minute reduction from previous years. Women and nonbinary applicants are required to finish in 3 hours and 25 minutes.
The slowest qualifiers fall under the 80 and over age group, with men in that category needing to complete the marathon in 4 hours and 50 minutes, and women/nonbinary participants in 5 hours and 20 minutes. These time limits remained unchanged in the recent update.
The BAA received a record-breaking 36,406 qualifier entry applications for next year’s event, indicating the growing trend and increasing speed of athletes in the sport.
According to Fleming, “The unprecedented number of applicants showcases the sport’s growing popularity and the continuous improvement in athletes’ performance.”
The qualification window for the 2026 race opened on Sept. 1 and will remain active until the registration period concludes in September next year. Mark your calendars for the upcoming Boston Marathon scheduled for April 21.
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