How registration for 2027 went
Qualifiers applied from September 14 to 18, 2026. The B.A.A. received 33,656 applications. 25,630 were accepted: 24,630 on time, because they beat their age and gender standard by 5:17 or more, and 1,000 through the new Boston Qualifier Selection, a random draw among qualifiers who missed the cutoff. 8,019 qualified applicants did not get in. Only accepted runners are charged the entry fee.
The rest of the 30,000 places go to invited entrants and the official charity program: a record 215 organizations take part in 2027.
Qualifying standards for 2027
The window for 2027 opened on September 13, 2025. Non-binary standards match the women's. A standard is the entry ticket, not a guarantee: when there are more qualifiers than places, the fastest relative to their standard get in first. Check how far you are from yours with the pace calculator.
| Age on race day | Men | Women and non-binary |
|---|---|---|
| 18 to 34 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 |
| 35 to 39 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 40 to 44 | 3:05:00 | 3:35:00 |
| 45 to 49 | 3:15:00 | 3:45:00 |
| 50 to 54 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 55 to 59 | 3:30:00 | 4:00:00 |
| 60 to 64 | 3:50:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 65 to 69 | 4:05:00 | 4:35:00 |
| 70 to 74 | 4:20:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 75 to 79 | 4:35:00 | 5:05:00 |
| 80 and older | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
Source: B.A.A. qualifying standards.
Charity places
Without a qualifying time, the main way in is a charity bib. The B.A.A. sets no single fundraising minimum: each charity sets its own, and reported minimums for 2027 range from $10,000 to $15,000. Many charities close their applications in the autumn before the race, so apply early and confirm the terms with the charity.
The course: Hopkinton to Boylston Street
Boston is a point-to-point race held since 1897. It starts in Hopkinton and runs east through the suburbs into the city, ending on Boylston Street. The early miles drop downhill, and the Newton hills, including Heartbreak Hill, come in the second half when the legs are already tired. Holding back in the first 10 km pays off later.
When to start training
Hal Higdon's 18-week plan for a first marathon starts onTuesday, December 15, 2026. It assumes you already run four times a week. You can start earlier too: Pacero builds a plan from your current fitness to April 19, 2027.
Show the week-by-week plan
| Week | Starts | Weekday runs, km | Long run | Total, km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 15 | 4.8, 4.8, 4.8 | 9.7 km | 24.1 |
| 2 | December 22 | 4.8, 4.8, 4.8 | 11.3 km | 25.7 |
| 3cutback | December 29 | 4.8, 6.4, 4.8 | 8.1 km | 24.1 |
| 4 | January 5 | 4.8, 6.4, 4.8 | 14.5 km | 30.5 |
| 5 | January 12 | 4.8, 8.1, 4.8 | 16.1 km | 33.8 |
| 6cutback | January 19 | 4.8, 8.1, 4.8 | 11.3 km | 29 |
| 7 | January 26 | 4.8, 9.7, 4.8 | 19.3 km | 38.6 |
| 8 | February 2 | 4.8, 9.7, 4.8 | race: half marathon | 19.3 + race |
| 9 | February 9 | 4.8, 11.3, 6.4 | 16.1 km | 38.6 |
| 10 | February 16 | 4.8, 11.3, 6.4 | 24.1 km | 46.6 |
| 11 | February 23 | 6.4, 12.9, 6.4 | 25.7 km | 51.4 |
| 12cutback | March 2 | 6.4, 12.9, 8.1 | 19.3 km | 46.7 |
| 13 | March 9 | 6.4, 14.5, 8.1 | 29 km | 58 |
| 14cutback | March 16 | 8.1, 14.5, 8.1 | 22.5 km | 53.2 |
| 15longest | March 23 | 8.1, 16.1, 8.1 | 32.2 km | 64.5 |
| 16taper | March 30 | 8.1, 12.9, 6.4 | 19.3 km | 46.7 |
| 17taper | April 6 | 6.4, 9.7, 4.8 | 12.9 km | 33.8 |
| 18 | April 13 | 4.8, 6.4, 3.2 | race: marathon | 14.4 + race |
Train for the Boston Marathon on your own plan
The table above is a generic plan for a first marathon: it knows nothing about your fitness or your goal. Pacero builds your training from where you are today to race day, spreads the load across the weeks and updates the plan after your runs. Workouts from Apple Watch, Garmin and other watches come in through Apple Health; without a watch, record runs with GPS in the app, log them by hand or upload a screenshot.
The Boston Marathon is already in the app's race list: pick it in the questionnaire.
Train with Pacero →First 7 days free, no card needed.Quick answers
When is the Boston Marathon 2027?
Monday, April 19, 2027, Patriots' Day. It is the 131st running of the race.
What was the cutoff for 2027?
Qualifiers had to beat their age and gender standard by 5 minutes 17 seconds or more. Another 1,000 qualifiers who missed the cutoff were picked in a random draw.
What is the qualifying time for ages 18 to 34?
2:55:00 for men and 3:25:00 for women and non-binary runners.
Can I run Boston without a qualifying time?
Yes, with a charity place. Each official charity sets its own fundraising minimum; reported minimums for 2027 are $10,000 to $15,000.
Other races in 2027
Tokyo Marathon 2027
Lottery results, the ways in that remain, the course and March weather.
London Marathon 2027
Two race days for 100,000 runners, ballot, Good for Age and charity places.
Cape Town Marathon 2027
The first African Major: ballot, charity and tour operator places.
Sydney Marathon 2027
Ballot, entry fees, travel partner places and the Harbour Bridge course.
Berlin Marathon 2027
Lottery until November 12, 2026, fast runner standards, the record course.
Chicago Marathon 2027
Drawing until October 29, 2026, time qualifier standards and fees.
New York City Marathon 2027
Expected date, the drawing, guaranteed entry and the five-borough course.
Sources
- B.A.A.: Boston Marathon: date, field size, charity program.
- B.A.A.: Qualify: standards and the 2027 qualifying window.
- B.A.A., September 21, 2026: 33,656 qualifier applications.
- B.A.A., September 29, 2026: 25,630 accepted, the 5:17 cutoff, 1,000 in the random selection, 8,019 not accepted.
- Fueled by LOLZ: Boston Marathon Charity 2027: fundraising minimums of individual charities.
- Hal Higdon: Marathon Novice 1: the 18-week plan.