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Boston Marathon Qualifying Times (BQ)
The Boston Marathon is one of the few that requires a qualifying time ("BQ") from a certified marathon, based on your age and gender. The standards below are the long-standing reference — always confirm the current year's numbers on the official B.A.A. site, as they were tightened by about 5 minutes for recent editions.
Qualifying standards (reference)
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18–34 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 35–39 | 3:05:00 | 3:35:00 |
| 40–44 | 3:10:00 | 3:40:00 |
| 45–49 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 50–54 | 3:25:00 | 3:55:00 |
| 55–59 | 3:35:00 | 4:05:00 |
| 60–64 | 3:50:00 | 4:20:00 |
Hitting the time isn't always enough
Because more runners qualify than there are spots, the B.A.A. accepts the fastest applicants first. In many years you need a buffer of a few minutes under the standard to actually get in. Treat the qualifying time as the minimum, and aim to beat it comfortably.
Plan your BQ attempt
Work backwards from your goal: set the exact pace you need to hold, and use the race-time predictor to see whether your current fitness is on track for the standard.