Endless cheers of encouragement, clapping and high fives galore, a sea of homemade signs from roughly 500,000 spectators lining the course — the Boston Marathon is perhaps the most prestigious road race event in marathoning.
Dating back to 1987, it is the world’s oldest annual marathon with runners participating from all over the world. Running a marathon to qualify for the Boston Marathon is often regarded as the pinnacle for runners once they’ve crossed the finish line of their first 26.2.
Here’s exactly how you can do it yourself.
How Do You Qualify for the Boston Marathon?
Short answer: run fast.
Every year the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) sets new qualifying time standards based on gender and age. The age groups range from 18 all the way to 80 and over.
First, you have to run a BAA-qualifying marathon course. Then, you have to beat this year’s BAA qualifying time. After that, you’re eligible to apply to run the following year’s Boston Marathon. Yes, we said eligible to apply.
Here’s the catch: There are limits to how many people can run Boston. There are, of course, year-to-year fluctuation in the number of runners who achieve a qualifying time. If too many runner hit the BAA’s benchmark, then only the fastest qualifiers are actually granted entry to the next race.
For example, in 2021 guaranteed entrants needed to run 7:47 minutes faster than their qualifying time to gain entry; as a result over 9,000 marathon runners were cut from the lineup. In short, most runners should aim for a marathon time of at least five minutes less than the stated qualifying time.
When is the Qualifying Window?
For the 2025 Boston Marathon, the qualifying window began on September 1, 2023 and was open through September 13, 2024. The qualifying window for the 2026 Boston Marathon opened on September 1, 2024 and will run through the end of registration next fall (dates to be announced here).
Can You Run the Boston Marathon Without Qualifying?
The most straightforward way to run without qualifying is to sign up as a charity runner. You’ll need to raise at least $5,000 for one of the qualifying philanthropic groups to earn a spot.
Can You Qualify for the Boston Marathon With a Half Marathon?
Technically yes (but for most the answer is no). The only way to qualify with a half is if you’re an elite runner making their marathon debut.
The 25 Best Marathons to Qualify for the Boston Marathon
There are hundreds of BAA qualifying marathons to choose from. But if you’re looking to set your fastest time, the best marathons to qualify for Boston are generally ones with fast, flat courses. Here’s our selection of the top 25.
California International Marathon
- Where: Sacramento, CA
- When: Dec 7, 2025
- 2023 BQ: 31.9% (2024 TBA)
- Course type: Gentle rolling hills with a flat, fast finish
- Best for: A runner who is looking to hill train. This is a net downhill course that’s known for being relatively fast
Chevron Houston Marathon
- Where: Houston, TX
- When: January 19, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 17.5%
- Course type: Fast and flat
- Best for: The runner who wants to start their year in full marathon swing. One of the earliest marathons each year, Houston also delivers a pancake flat course that loops around Houston, beginning and ending downtown
Mesa Marathon
- Where: Mesa, AZ
- When: February 8, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 24.6%
- Course type: Smooth, mostly downhill
- Best for: Someone looking for the best race in the southwest to qualify for Boston. It’s a downhill point-to-point course with an elevation decline of over 1,000 feet
Ventura Marathon
- Where: Ventura, CA
- When: February 23, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 26.5%
- Course type: Predominantly downhill with a gradual descent
- Best for: Picturesque views and personal records.The route travels through diverse landscapes, including rolling hills, farmland, and coastal areas.
One City Marathon
- Where: Newport News, VA
- When: March 2, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 17.7%
- Course type: Fast and flat
- Best for: A delightfully small marathon experience with scenic views, fast times and a high percentage of Boston Qualifying times
The Cheap Marathon
- Where: Derry, NH
- When: April 5, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 35.5%
- Course type: Fast and flat out-and-back course with 2 loops
- Best for: Those with a race budget who want to knock out a PR. With a $79.99 entry fee, this race strips down extra expenses and focuses on essentials only to give you an affordable, solid road race.
- Where: Las Vegas, NV
- When: April 5, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 41.6%
- Course type: Fast and scenic downhill road that takes runners from the forests of Kyle Canyon on Mt Charleston to Las Vegas
- Best for: The opportunity to notch a personal record time along a gorgeous downhill descent from the mountains to the city
Eugene Marathon
- Where: Eugene, OR
- When: April 27, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 26.7%
- Course type: Rolling
- Best for: First-time marathoners. The spring weather in Oregon is also often chilly and overcast making it great for running.
Glass City Marathon
- Where: Toledo, OH
- When: April 27, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 16%
- Course type: Fast and flat
- Best for: A small crowd experience with a reliably flat course
Carmel Marathon
- Where: Carmel, IN
- When: April 19, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 21.4%
- Course type: Flat to rolling
- Best for: A “put your headphones in and pound it out alone” type of runner who does best without too many distractions
Sugarloaf Marathon
- Where: Carrabassett Valley, ME
- When: May 11, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 34.3%
- Course type: The first 5 miles are relatively flat. Miles 5-10 consist of rolling hills with a steady two-mile climb at mile 8. The last 16 miles are a gradual decent with an elevation loss of 980 feet.
- Best for: A runner who wants a mix of flat and hilly. Known for being one of the fastest Boston Marathon qualifying races, Sugarloaf has become more and more popular in recent years and with a strict limit of 2,000 participants it sells out quick.
Bayshore Marathon
- Where: Traverse City, MI
- When: May 24, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 19.6%
- Course type: Scenic out-and-back, mostly flat route
- Best for: Those looking to achieve a personal best time due to its flat terrain (bonus: beautiful scenery)
Mountains 2 Beach Marathon
- Where: Ventura, CA
- When: April 13, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 25.2%
- Course type: Lightning fast, gradual downhill
- Best for: Runners looking for a fast time and and scenic views. The slightly downhill course starts in the mountains and ends at the beach, leaving runners with more fuel in their tanks as they reach the final few miles of the race.
Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon
- Where: North Bend, WA
- When: June 8, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 40.5%
- Course type: Point-to-point downhill
- Best for: Someone who is feeling a little adventurous. The course is a gravel rail trail that features a 2-mile tunnel (bring a headlamp!) A small field size and a fast course make this race a popular one for those yearning for Boston.
Grandma’s Marathon
- Where: Duluth, MN
- When: June 21, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 17.2%
- Course type: Net downhill elevation and rolling hills
- Best for: Road runners who appreciate some small-town charm
Jack and Jill’s Downhill Marathon
- Where: Northbend, WA
- When: July 27, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 31%
- Course type: Fast, gentle, downhill, even dirt and gravel road
- Best for: Those with recent trail running experience and good downhill training
Erie Marathon
- Where: Erie, PA
- When: September 7, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 39.2%
- Course type: Fast and flat — on mostly asphalt — with less than a 250 foot total change in elevation for the marathon
- Best for: Setting your personal record with beautiful views to boot. The course provides beautiful views of Lake Erie as well as miles of coastline beaches, marshes and wooded paths.
St. George Marathon
- Where: St. George, UT
- When: October 4, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 8.2%
- Course type: Downhill pavement with scenic views and fast times
- Best for: Those who are looking for a little nature vacation to pair with their marathon. Nestled in the southwestern wilderness, this race was rated by Runner’s World as one of the four “Marathons to Build a Vacation Around.”
Chicago Marathon
- Where: Chicago, IL
- When: October 12, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 19.2%
- Course type: Fast and flat
- Best for: Someone who enjoys the energy from a big crowd, ie roughly 1.7 million spectators. More Boston qualifying times come out of the Chicago Marathon each year than any other race in the US. An extremely flat course with lots of pace groups and other hopeful qualifiers means it’s easy to keep pace without having to do too much mental math.
Mohawk Hudson River Marathon
- Where: Albany, NY
- When: October 12, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 20.2%
- Course type: Fast and flat
- Best for: Runners looking for a a less crowded race experience with great views along the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers
Steamtown Marathon
- Where: Scranton, PA
- When: October 12, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 23.6%
- Course type: Majority downhill until the last three uphill miles
- Best for: Someone who’s looking to end their race with a challenge. The final three miles are uphill, but you’ll have spirit of small town America cheering you on to the finish line.
Baystate Marathon
- Where: Lowell, MA
- When: October 19, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 29.5%
- Course type: One of the most flat, fast-paced races in the country
- Best for: A road runner who wants to go fast and doesn’t mind a double looped course. If you’re a Bostonian trying to qualify for Boston, your best bet is probably this small town marathon in northern Massachusetts. Bonus: this race hits peak leaf season.
Marine Corps Marathon
- Where: Arlington, VA
- When: October 26, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 4.1%
- Course type: Fast and flat
- Best for: An iconic course at our nation’s capital, the MCM is also one of the best marathons for beginners. You don’t earn any prize money, but you could earn a BQ.
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
- Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
- When: November 8, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 22.6%
- Course type: Fast and flat
- Best for: Everyone from the first-time marathoner to elite athletes
Richmond Marathon
- Where: Richmond, VA
- When: November 15, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 13.6%
- Course type: Relatively flat with a few rollings hills
- Best for: A beginner-friendly experience that’s well-organized and features a mix of city and nature settings
Philadelphia Marathon
- Where: Philadelphia, PA
- When: November 23, 2025
- 2024 BQ: 10.3%
- Course type: Mostly flat with gentle rolling hills sprinkled in
- Best for: Someone who wants it all. This is a beautiful, fast and scenic course with an engaging atmosphere; it’s consistently ranked among the top ten marathons in the country.
