Boston Marathon Sets Record-Breaking Qualifying Cutoff for 2025

Runners needed to exceed qualifying times by 6 minutes and 51 seconds, leaving over 12,000 hopefuls without a spot.

The Boston Marathon received a record 36,393 qualifier applications for the 2025 race.
Only 24,069 runners were accepted, with many missing out despite meeting the standard qualifying times.
The 2025 cutoff required runners to be 6 minutes and 51 seconds faster than their age and gender group standard.
The field will include 30,000 participants, with spots also reserved for charity runners and professional athletes.
The Boston Athletic Association plans to lower qualifying standards by five minutes for the 2026 race.