It’s Spring, it’s early April, the weather is changing and you know what that means. It’s almost time for the Boston Marathon! This race has held a fascination for runners for years and many have set a goal to qualify for Boston at some point in their running journey.
Running goals change as we progress as runners. The first goal may be just to run a mile. Then race a 5k or a half marathon. Eventually, many runners progress to running a marathon. Once that is done a lot of runners decide they want to qualify for Boston.
Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is the ultimate bucket list accomplishment for many runners. It means that you are dedicated, that you are focused, and that you can kick ass. And, yes, it means that you are fast.
Qualifying times for the 2024 Boston Marathon, which will take place on April 15, 2024, must be run after September 1, 2022. The qualifying times are based on your age on the date of the marathon. Always remember that because of high demand, the chances are that you will need to run up to several minutes faster than your qualifying time in order to participate in the Boston Marathon.
Effective March 29, 2020. All standards below are based on official submitted net time.
| AGE GROUP | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 3hrs 00min 00sec | 3hrs 30min 00sec |
| 35-39 | 3hrs 05min 00sec | 3hrs 35min 00sec |
| 40-44 | 3hrs 10min 00sec | 3hrs 40min 00sec |
| 45-49 | 3hrs 20min 00sec | 3hrs 50min 00sec |
| 50-54 | 3hrs 25min 00sec | 3hrs 55min 00sec |
| 55-59 | 3hrs 35min 00sec | 4hrs 05min 00sec |
| 60-64 | 3hrs 50min 00sec | 4hrs 20min 00sec |
| 65-69 | 4hrs 05min 00sec | 4hrs 35min 00sec |
| 70-74 | 4hrs 20min 00sec | 4hrs 50min 00sec |
| 75-79 | 4hrs 35min 00sec | 5hrs 05min 00sec |
| 80 and over | 4hrs 50min 00sec | 5hrs 20min 00sec |
In addition to these qualifying times, due to the many runners who do qualify and the total number that can be accepted, the final time that you must run may be faster than your published qualifying time. The standards are refined from time to time so that there won’t be such a big gap as in recent years. So yes, you need to be pretty fast to qualify for Boston.
Do you want to qualify for the Boston Marathon? Here are 7 tips to help you achieve your goal! #marathon #BQ #BostonMarathon Click To TweetSo do you want to qualify for Boston? Here are some tips that can help! Plus a few races that can improve your chances.
7 Tips to Qualify for Boston
1. Be Realistic
First of all, be realistic in your expectations. If your time to qualify for Boston is significantly faster than you have completed a marathon before, be honest with yourself.
If your PR is currently around 4:30 and you must run a 3:30 in order to qualify, make sure that your goal is achievable. Taking an hour off of your time is not impossible, but if you’ve been training hard for that 4:30, shaving another 60 minutes just might not be doable.
If you feel that you haven’t come close to what your capabilities will allow (or haven’t yet run a marathon), you can also use your times in shorter races to determine whether qualifying for Boston is a goal or just a dream. Click here to check.
Personally, it took me about five marathons before I was able to qualify for the first time, taking about 40 minutes off of my finishing time. I was eventually able to take another 15 minutes off my PR, so I know that it can be done.
2. Build a strong base
Running a fast marathon is not all about running fast in training. Take the time to build a strong endurance base before you worry about getting faster.
3. Train for your course
Design your training based on the course that you will be running. Is it flat with lots of turns? Hilly with some downhill running? At a higher or lower altitude than you’re used to? What is the weather like where you’ll be running? These are all things to consider when you are planning your training.
4. Train for your pace
If your time to qualify for Boston is 3:45, your training should be specific to running your marathon in that time. Your workouts should reflect that.
5. Get Comfortable with Feeling Uncomfortable
If you truly want to qualify for Boston, you need to push your limits, train hard, and, well, get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable.
6. Recovery time is key
Taking time to rest and recover is always important, even more so when you are pushing yourself to your limits. Schedule your recovery days and runs consistently and stick with the plan. Seriously, recovery time is when we rebuild and get stronger so it’s vital.
7. Pick the right course
If you want to qualify for Boston, picking the right course is key. Choosing a course that has many turns or hills could destroy your Boston dream. Picking a qualifying race that has a net downhill course, few turns, and has a higher than average percentage of qualifiers is the way to go. Here are some of the best races to qualify for Boston.
The Revel Big Bear Marathon, California, November 18, 2023
California International Marathon, California, December 3, 2023
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, Indiana, October 28, 2023
St. George Marathon (where I ran my PR of 3:16 many years ago), Utah, October 7, 2023
Find more great Boston Qualifying races here.
If all this planning and training sounds a little overwhelming, hiring a coach can help you achieve your goals and remain injury free!
Is qualifying for Boston one of your running goals? How about setting a new PR? Have you qualified for or run the Boston Marathon? Any tips to add?
And Now It’s Time for the Runners’ Roundup!
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My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Inspire Me Monday with Janet
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Deborah, Lisa, Jenn, Laura, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
Fit Five Friday with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida
Ultimate Coffee Date with Deborah and Coco
Great tips! Now that I’m in an older age group my qualifying time is only a minute faster than my PR. (I feel like my qualifying time was 3:35 for like 10 years because they changed the times a few years back!) However, my PR was from 8 years ago now. I’m hoping in the next couple of years I can focus on finally getting a BQ.
It definitely sounds possible. I feel we \reach our marathon prime when we’re a little older. I was 41 when I ran my PR.
It’s so funny how even though the qualifying times get slower, it’s not any easier to qualify as we age. Boston is the one bucket list race I didn’t get to run. No regrets now- I’ve let it go as my body can’t handle those long distance runs anymore.
Tell me about it. My last few marathons have been tough. And while I can hit the paces that I need (or I could a few years ago) I can sustain them and I really fall apart toward the end. Aw well, there are other goals for us.
Not realistic for me. I’m ok with it.
I’d rather stick the half marathons. At my age it lets me qualify for NYC marathon.
I’m pretty much happy to stick with half marathons these days too.
Speed training is very important. It provides endurance throughout the race.
Yes, doing some kind of speed work is important.
I think the biggest secret of winning the race is the 3rd item.
It’s so true. Especially if you’ve chosen a downhill course to try and qualify. Downhill training is so important.
This is so great! Realistically, this will never be me, but you offer plenty of valid suggestions. I love that you shared great race options, too. that can make a world of difference!
Picking the right course to try and qualify is so important.